Asics Tiger x Commonwealth

The ASICS TIGER X COMMONWEALTH GEL-LYTE V KULTURA gives props to one of the North Philippines most ornamented tribes. US-based sneaker retailer Commonwealth marks the opening of its Manila flagship store with Philippines-inspired collaboration with ASICS, taking on the brand’s celebrated ASICS GEL-Lyte V model. Named the ‘Kultura’, the retailer’s take on the silhouette zooms in on the country’s cultural heritage by celebrating an ethnic group indigenous to the Chico River called the Kalinga, who are known to be the most heavily ornamented tribe in the North Philippines. The upcoming silhouette is a clean and neutral addition to the GEL-Lyte V lineage, leading with a premium tan nubuck, suede, and mesh upper, that’s broken up by a blue flash to the medial side stripes. A firm nod is made to the Kalinga on the heel tab, with distinctive deep blue tribal illustrations adding an extra dose of cultural relevance.