MEET SQUISH – AXEL ARIGATO’S VERY UNSERIOUS NEW SNEAKER

Axel Arigato introduces Squish, a brand-new unisex silhouette debuting for Spring/Summer 2026. ​

Breaking from the sharp, architectural lines of past styles, Squish flows with soft, rounded curves – a design that embraces playfulness over precision. Its proportions almost recall a caricature: a stylized drawing brought to life, transforming familiar sneaker codes into something exaggerated yet inviting.

Inspired by skate parks and modern sculpture, Squish takes a playful approach to form. The sole is curved in every direction – concave, convex, never straight – with deliberately offset lines that create a sense of movement and irregularity. Proportions are intentionally blown out: the oversized toe rises dramatically up the foot, while an exaggerated woven label replaces the brand’s usual leather tab, reinforcing the silhouette’s relaxed and unserious character.

Handcrafted in Portugal, Squish combines premium nubuck and suede uppers with split-color thermoplastic rubber (TPR) outsoles. Each pair is finished with wool laces that bring a tactile edge, and the outsole itself appears caught mid-pour, forming a shell that encases the upper. The unique toe design – inspired by mould-making and sculpture – gives the shoe its signature character, turning an everyday sneaker into a three-dimensional object.

As part of SS26’s Green Space collection – which explores how we shape and construct natural spaces within the city – Squish reflects this dialogue through its sculptural form and crafted details.

“I wanted Squish to feel like a form in motion – inspired by the playfulness of literally squishing the upper into the sole, almost like a baking mold. The sound of things squishing together was present in my mind, and the sneaker became a visual and physical manifestation of that concept.” Jens Werner, Creative Director.

The first release arrives in five expressive colorways for both men and women: light beige, black, lilac, tan, and bright yellow. A men’s-only tonal pack follows, featuring light taupe and black/off-black.

With Squish, Axel Arigato takes the familiar codes of a sneaker and reimagines them with playful distortion. The result is a silhouette that captures the spirit of skate culture, the curiosity of sculpture, and the joy of experimentation. More than a style, it’s a mood: easy, oversized, a little irreverent. Simple yet distinctive, each step captures the carefree rhythm of a day spent outside, moving between park, pavement, and city street.

Available online and in stores from November 28, 2025, Squish will be priced at £240 / $365 / €260.