Paris Fashion Week has always been a meeting point for fashion, culture and creativity, but ASICS SportStyle is looking yo add a little friendly competition into the mix this season. Teaming up with Los Angeles-based collective Little Tokyo Table Tennis (LTTT), the Japanese sportswear giant is taking over a space in Le Marais for a three-day ping pong activation designed to celebrate movement, connection and community.
Running from 25-27 June at Ellia Art Gallery, the pop-up coincides with the launch of the first-ever collaboration between ASICS and LTTT, centred around a reworked GEL-RESOLUTION 5 sneaker. Drawing from ASICS’ rich tennis archive, the silhouette has been reimagined through LTTT’s distinctive lens, combining Japanese heritage with contemporary street culture and the community-first values that defined the collective since its formation.
More Than a Sneaker Launch
While the collaborative sneaker serves as the catalyst, the activation is designed to be far more than just a traditional product showcase. Visitors will be encouraged to step inside, pick up a paddle and take part in a programme of matches, tournaments and community sessions inspired by the atmosphere of LTTT’s weekly gatherings in Los Angeles.
Founded in Little Tokyo in 2021, LTTT quickly grew from a handful of tables and a shared passion for the sport into a thriving creative community. What started as a casual meeting place has since evolved into a cultural hub where table tennis acts as a vehicle for bringing people together across different backgrounds and disciplines.
Movement at the Heart of the Partnership
The collaboration also reflects ASICS’ longstanding philosophy of Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”, the principle from which the brand takes its name. The collaborative project focuses on movement as a tool for wellbeing and creativity, all while connecting with likeminded people. “We fight for happiness,” says LTTT founder Jiro. “If you don’t want to play table tennis, that’s okay, but hopefully you feel the urge.”
The ASICS x Little Tokyo Table Tennis GEL-RESOLUTION 5 launches in July via ASICS, LTTT, and selected retailers, while the Paris Pop-up offers an early opportunity to experience the collaboration as both brands intended.
