ASICS teams up with Griff to reinvent the GEL-CUMULUS 16, with dreamy ribbon laces that feel like cheating
Those heart-fluttering ribbon details
Key highlights
- The ASICS x Griff collaboration sneaker will officially launch on June 12, 2026.
- Inspired by ballet shoes, the black upper features a unique ribbon lacing system.
- Developed over 18 months, the sneaker retains the brand’s signature GEL cushioning technology for comfort.
- A pop-up store in Hackney, London, will be open from June 12 to 14.
Sneakers have long been an essential part of women’s shoe collections, yet finding a pair that can handle the daily commute while still offering romantic details isn’t easy. This time, ASICS Sportstyle has brought a surprise. Teaming up with British singer-songwriter Griff, the brand will launch the new GEL-CUMULUS 16 collaboration sneaker on June 12, 2026, cleverly combining performance-focused aesthetics with feminine elegance.
- Related reading: Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS is back to tempt us: the GEL-QUANTUM 360 I becomes an even more convenient slip-on!
The contrasting appeal of ballet ribbons and performance running shoes
When people think of the ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 16, its professional cushioning technology and running performance may be the first things that come to mind. Yet after Griff reinterpreted it through her creative vision over 18 months, the shoe has taken on a completely different look. The most captivating detail is the ballet-inspired ribbon lacing system on the upper. The soft ribbons create a striking contrast with the structured black upper, lending an easy elegance to what was once a more rugged sneaker.
Inspired by everyday style: the philosophy of pairing loafers with socks
The design details feel especially close to women’s everyday lives. Griff incorporated her own habit of pairing loafers with socks, creating a layered look that doesn’t feel overly flashy. “I wanted this shoe to feel like an extension of my everyday style,” Griff shared. She hopes it can accompany women from the recording studio to the stage, and even as they move comfortably through city streets.
This GEL-CUMULUS 16 by Griff doesn’t sacrifice comfort for looks. It retains ASICS’s signature cushioning technology, while changes to the materials and lacing give its originally more formal athletic silhouette a more relaxed feel and a stronger sense of feminine power. For women who like to pair skirts with sneakers, this is a versatile pair well worth considering.
A London-exclusive pop-up store opens
To celebrate this heartfelt collaboration, ASICS invited architect and creative designer Kat Milne to create an immersive pop-up store in Hackney, London (1–3 Yorkton Street), open from June 12 to 14, 2026. Visitors can experience the shoe’s distinctive appeal in person while getting a glimpse into the creative story where music and sport meet. The sneaker will be available starting June 12 through selected retailers and brand channels. Although the official price has yet to be announced, interested readers can keep an eye on the brand’s upcoming release news.
Beyond this article, here are a few recent stories worth checking out:
- Let romantic flowers bloom across your sneakers: Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS 2026 latest GEL-KINETIC FR collaboration is here!
- Your shoe closet is just missing this pair: the dreamy Empty Behavior x ASICS collab is here to make track shoes elegant
- Who says ballet flats can only be sweet? Yohji Yamamoto teams up with Repetto to create the new Ballet Loafer
