As a seasoned sneakerhead with a penchant for the unconventional and the bizarre, I’ve always been intrigued by Kiko Kostadinov’s design ethos. His latest collaboration with ASICS, the Protoblast-CMLVIII under his lesser-known label OTTO 598, is a fascinating blend of normcore aesthetics and surreal branding that has me hooked.
Kiko Kostadinov’s sub-label Novalis, part of ASICS, is merely a small part of his expanding collaborations with the runner brand. Now, his other brand OTTO 598 has also joined the list of Kostadinov’s partnerships with ASICS, introducing the Protoblast-CMLVIII model.
This lesser-known brand’s mascot mirrors its quirky fondness for the unusual, featuring an ominous masked figure with exaggerated eyes that seem to stare blankly at the camera in every campaign. Their recent shoe collaboration with Suicoke embodies this fascination with the strange, as they released a controversial FiveFinger slip-on style adorned with a large O insignia.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by OTTO 958 (@otto_958)
Despite being unconventional, the Protoblast-CMLVIII is quite normal in its design. It’s a modern take on one of Kostadinov’s favorite ASICS models, featuring a streamlined upper that embodies a minimalist, everyday style. The shoe shares the same geometric midsole as the HN2-S Protoblast, but replaces the multi-directional overlays with a single chrome stripe on the green leather uppers. Black leather details are present at the collar, eye stays, and heel counter, coordinating with the black mesh tongue. Green accents can be found in the outsole and knitted textile lining for a subtle pop of color.
From every perspective, this sneaker showcases joint branding by both ASICS and OTTO 589. The phrase “OTTO 598” stands out embroidered on the side panels in black, while the minimal “O” logo of OTTO 589 is positioned atop the toe box in green. As for ASICS, their branding can be found in its typical placement on the tongue and also along the green embroidery on the collar.
As a dedicated sneakerhead, I’m thrilled to share that the OTTO 598 x ASICS Protoblast-CMLVIII will be dropping exclusively at the OTTO 598 web store on Tuesday, November 26! Mark your calendars, fellow fans. It’s going to be a great day for sneaker collectors like us!
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2024-11-22 21:26