Asics was founded in 1949 by Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka, with the original company name of ONITSUKA Co., Ltd. Later on the name was changed to Asics which is an acronym for a Latin expression, “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” which translates to “a sound mind in a sound body.” Originally started in Kobe, Japan, Asics is known for their runners and running shoes in the sports and lifestyle industry. In 1950, Asics released their first athletic shoe which was a traditional basketball sneaker. From the 50s to the 80s, Asics continued to tap into different sports markets and produced shoes for different sports industries from running, soccer, wrestling and baseball. In 1966, Asics introduced their iconic Mexico Stripes, which is their signature brand mark on its shoes also known as the ASICS stripes. Their most popular silhouettes feature their “gel” technology which uses silicone cushioning that was introduced in 1986.  Since its inception, Asics has gained notable popularity from brands and high profile celebrities. Past collaborators with Asics include brands such as Bape, Kith and Alife.