Axel Arigato signals a new design era of footwear with the launch of the Slow Runner

Axel Arigato signals a new design era of footwear under the management of creative director Jens Werner - platforming the notion of 'expressive minimalism'.

The Slow Runner, a unisex sneaker showcasing 'Scandinavian minimalism with bold and playful interventions' is part of the brands Spring/Summer 2025 collection. The sneaeker's low-profile design-the first in a series from Axel Arigato which shows the evolusiton of the design language that underpinned its original Marathon sneaker. The remodelled sneaker features a streamlined silhouette with a flat outsole, intricate layered panelling and bold contrasting details, to offer a more everyday relaxed aesthetic.

Axel Arigato

Created in Portugal, the Slow Runner boasts details including:

• Interlocking panels in leather, suede and nubuck that echo design elements from Axel Arigato's ready-to-wear seasonal collections.
• Exposed zig zag stitching for a raw yet refined aesthetic, a detail also found on the brand's clothing embroidery
• A thin gum sole unit, moulded on interlocking knit stitch details that features within the SS25 collection.
• An up-kicked rear sole unit that alludes to the gentle motion of walking
• A rear gel bubble that nods to previous Axel Arigato styles and speaks to sport-inspired detailing in sneaker design.

A supporting campaign, envisioned by Creative Director Jens Werner, includes imagery and video shot by long-standing bran partner and photographer Linus Morales, and features a mesmerising live soundtrack from soundscape artist Li Yilei. A London-based Chinese multidisciplinary artist, Yilei is known for their experimental approach to sound and performance.

"The Slow Runner began as a project that was purely based around naïve, uncomplicated design – a deliberate dismantling of the past, to create something entirely new for the brand. Through the process of reinterpreting the marathon style we wanted to make something that was pure in its approach to simplicity. It was the process of stripping things back to make something that is both contradictory and familiar. Memory and nostalgia, central themes of the season, became a driving force in defining the future. The Slow Runner embodies these tensions – old and new, technical yet unpretentious, a bridge between what was and what’s to come." Jens Werner - Creative Director , Axel Arigato.

The Slow Runner launches on 26th March 2025 in two colourways, beige/white and black/beige. It's priced at £275 and will be available in all Axel Arigato stores and online at axelarigato.com.