Cult Swedish label Axel Arigato has arrived in Singapore, much to the anticipation of those who love their sleek, chic sneakers — the best part is, we’ll be able to shop online.
Which makes sense for the digital-first high-end footwear label. Since it first launched in 2014, the brand has been making waves among the savvy fashion scene, no thanks to the daring simplicity of their sneakers — particularly, the Clean 90 style, in tone-on-tone hues of black, grey, or white, on a most minimalist silhouette. Just take a look here:
Pretty sharp indeed. Axel Arigato’s Clean 90 Sneakers are handmade from smooth leather, while most of them feature a matching rubber cup-sole for that crisp tone-on-tone goodness. There’s also a cushioned footbed and arch support for luxurious comfort, though we think that may come secondary to its design, the kind that blends in perfectly with your go-to outfits.
Since the first couple of monochrome leather designs though, the brand has branched out with various materials or designs that still keep that chic ethos — suede, for instance, or updating the heel tab in contrasting shades that pop, little details that elevate the look.
That’s not the only thing the label keeps innovative though. Founders Max Svardh and Albin Johansson started the brand in order to fill that niche market of superior quality footwear with cutting-edge design, at an affordable price point, something they managed to achieve almost immediately due to their direct-to-customer approach, heavily anchored by social media. Instead of relying on traditional seasonal collections, they’ve also introduced a ‘Drop of the Week’ format, a fast-paced strategy that sees the brand introducing new styles every week, pretty ideal for our short attention spans, we have to say.
As for design, Max Svardh has this to say: ”My goal is to create a brand that’s immersed in the young fashion customer. I draw inspiration from the culture that I’m a part of and the most fundamental ingredient for us is the reality.” On top of quality craftsmanship, you’ll notice that the sneakers are often reinterpretations of classic sneaker silhouettes, with a fresh and unencumbered ease.
Head over to their website now, and you’ll see that the latest styles of the Clean 90s deviate from their original mould a fair bit. This year’s designs see Bee-eater Bird emblems done in embroidery, or other textured animal accents such as a leopard print hair-calf on the heel tab. The Clean 90 Triple style also features a suede toe detail, giving the shoes a more sporty feel.
Newer designs like the Genesis Triple or chunky Marathon Runner are certainly inspired by streetwear / 90s trends, but the choice of colours and pared-back details still give off the polished edge that’s synonymous to the brand. We’re not exactly encouraging you to spend all your money, but go ahead and browse the pages, you can’t go wrong here.
Axel Arigato, now available on axelarigato.sg.
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