KARHU by zomer: A Study in Duality

It starts with a bear. Ends in Paris. And somewhere in between, zomer reimagines a runner into something half-functional, half-fever dream. 

Finnish brand zomer have taken huge strides introducing KARHU’s Mestari Kesä into their eclectic collection. KARHU meaning “bear” in its native language is a leader in running and technical sportswear. They have teamed up with the experimental zomer to release three versions of the Mestari Kesa, an intricately crafted and active shoe. This is zomer’s first footwear in their budding portfolio. 

KARHU’s legacy is long-worn: born on forest trails, now treading runways, its technical core remains in motion -physically, culturally and ideologically. The collaboration is a study in duality. The idea of heritage meeting playfulness as two rich and authentic brands combine to create a self-expressed silhouette.

zomer was born from Dutch fashion frontier Danial Aitouganov and Imruh Asha. With art at the forefront of their inspiration, the brand is all about letting your imagination roam free and listening to your inner-child. zomer translates to “summer” in Dutch, therefore they excel in bringing warmth and energy to the designing process. 

They have decided to take the Mestari Kesä and reinterpret it with dashes of expressionistic vigor. The split-colour design embodies this perfectly. Through material, form and colour, this partnership challenges conventions while keeping integral craftsmanship at the heart of it. 

Dan Tobin Smith encapsulates the feeling of the sneakers in twisting and fleeting shapes. His work identifies a series of mandalas created by active bodies, which lose their human shape with the Mestari Kesä taking centre stage which communicates the idea of the body serving as the foundation of creativity. 

With their third show set to enchant at Paris Fashion Week, zomer is cementing itself in the fashion arena with this exciting partnership. 

The KARHU x zomer Mestari Kesä drops 11 April on KARHU.com.