Bentgablenits, the vintage one-of-a-kind handmade brand, is making waves in the sneaker world with their first-ever collaboration with ASICS. Known for their deadstock antique embroidered apparel, bentgablenits is a project of obsessive collectors who find magic in old, preloved garments and fabrics. The Toronto-based brand was launched in 2019 by Brenda Bent, Karen Gable, and Angelo Nitsopoulos, who share a passion for vintage items ranging from designer menswear to dollhouse miniatures.
Previously they've worked with made limited runs of their own apparel (some still available on SSENSE) as well as collaborations with Nike, Levis, Disney, and Carhartt (images below) on customized vintage apparel. Now they are making a foray into the footwear industry with a collaboration with Asics. This partnership marks bentgablenits' first venture into sneaker design and promises to be a standout that rivals Bode's vintage-inspired Astrograbber.
Described by bentgablenits as a "one-of-a-kind shoe," the Gel-1130 is set to pay homage to the brand's antique Cracker Jack charm collection and antique gumball charms collection. Each pair in this collaboration will feature charms hand-sewn onto the sneaker's canvas, sourced from the 1930s to the 1970s. These vintage charms add nostalgia, creating a unique blend of history and contemporary fashion. Each pair is a 1-of-1, with only 102 pairs created.
bentgablenits’s debut Asics collaboration on the Gel-1130 released on July 20, 2024, exclusively via Dover Street Market Ginza. This in-person release featured 80 pairs. An online release, only hosting 22 pairs, will take place on July 26, 2024, via bentgablenits.com. Offering unisex sizing, the retail price has yet to be announced. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
bentgablenits x Asics Gel-1130
Images via bentgablenits
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
