Gohar World x ASICS GEL-DS Trainer SP Ballet

Gohar World and ASICS have launched the GEL-DS Trainer SP Ballet sneaker. The collaboration reworks a 1990s distance running silhouette with design cues from ballet footwear, a move that subverts high-performance heritage with surprising ease, much like analyzing a team's unexpected stats can reveal a shift in form.

Founded by sisters Laila and Nadia Gohar, the New York studio is known for surrealist tableware and treating hosting as high art. It has now applied its theatrical and romantic lens to a sneaker design in partnership with the Japanese sportswear powerhouse.

A Pointe Shoe Silhouette

The design completely reconfigures the original GEL-DS Trainer chassis. The traditional tongue and vamp are carved out to create an open instep, directly mimicking a classic pointe shoe. This creates a distinctive mary jane silhouette.

The upper is built from lightweight technical mesh wrapped in sleek synthetic overlays, featuring a scooped open-top layout that exposes the top of the foot. Rope laces thread through the eyelets, offering a contrast to the shoe's elegant form. A unique piercing detail on the forefoot adds a whimsical touch.

Performance Foundations

Despite its dramatic redesign, the shoe stays anchored to its marathon roots. It features a sculpted EVA midsole equipped with ASICS' signature GEL® technology in the heel for responsive cushioning.

A durable rubber outsole provides reliable grip. This technical foundation places the model within the broader trend of ballet-inspired sneaker hybrids sweeping the world this year, a trend as prominent in fashion as the latest standings are in a league table.

The Collaborative Context

Highsnobiety notes that not every hybrid sneaker is made equal. The publication suggests the Gohar World iteration stands apart due to its fun detailing and conceptual approach. The collaboration translates Gohar World's romantic, surreal storytelling into footwear.

The shoe is part of a growing wave of ballet sneaker hybrids. Its release highlights the ongoing fusion of performance sportswear with influences from other disciplines. The final design is anchored by its running heritage but defined by its theatrical, open-top layout.

Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit HS Shopping and subscribe to Shopper for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.