Overview
These days, the crossover between football and fashion isn't so unusual. But for some former professional athletes, their obsession is more serious than others. Founded by Lewi Brown — who played 198 NRL games across a ten-year career — Earls Collection became his second career, having taken the menswear label from strength to strength soon after his retirement from the sport.
Now, the brand is ready to step things up again, teaming up with ASICS SportStyle for a second collaboration, this time featuring reimagined GEL-CUMULUS 16 sneakers brimming with heritage-leaning details. Yet looking beyond mere lifestyle footwear made for the street, this line-breaking partnership also includes a revamped football boot for the first time — the LETHAL TESTIMONIAL 4 IT.
Drawing on Brown's roots in professional rugby, the collab also takes inspiration from the creative director's journey to the big leagues, as well as his family's Maori heritage. Raised in Christchurch, New Zealand, both shoes and boots include design details that speak to Brown's mother, nana, pop and local football club, the Riccarton Knights, while recalling and celebrating the themes of home, family and self-belief.
For instance, the Earls Collection GEL-CUMULUS 16 sneaker incorporates mesh panelling as a respectful nod to the original collaboration, an important value of Brown's Māori culture of honouring those who enable forward movement. Plus, the pebbled ASICS stripes reference his mother's years of hard work, while the custom insoles speak to Brown's childhood home, where he dreamed of becoming a professional footballer.
Likewise, the Earls Collection LETHAL TESTIMONIAL 4 IT resonates with personal touches. While Brown could only get his hands on boring black hand-me-down boots as a child, this new offering brings a white colourway like he longed for as a kid. Then, the heel design symbolises protection and resilience, with interchangeable brown, orange and white laces encouraging players to lean into individuality even in a team environment.
Ready to take your game to the next level? This Earls Collection x ASICS collaboration launches on Thursday, May 21, with both the sneakers and boots available to purchase online via ASICS and Earls, as well as at the Earls store in Paddington. Each also comes in a bespoke shoebox design that depicts Brown's childhood home and football club.
The Earls Collection x ASICS collaboration is available online and in-store from Thursday, May 21, with the GEL-CUMULUS 16 priced at $270 and the LETHAL TESTIMONIAL 4 IT football priced at $320. Head to the website for more information.
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Images: Matt Neilsen.