Last week, Swedish label Axel Arigato unveiled its boldest sneaker to date: Eris. In true Axel Arigato fashion, Eris is unisex and unapologetic. A decade of design evolution finds its sharpest expression here — bold lines, futuristic form, and a palpable tension between art and function. This is the next phase following the Slow and Tact runners, and it’s brimming with energy that feels both fearless and deeply intentional.
But following the debut of its new standout sneaker, Axel Arigato is keeping momentum high with a fresh wave of colourways and an extended range of menswear sizing, landing on Wednesday, June 11. Originally released in blue, yellow, and charcoal, the Eris lineup now expands to include four new tones: brown, oat, light grey, and pink.
The updated palette offers even more ways to wear what is arguably Axel Arigato’s most expressive sneaker yet. Positioned as the brand’s flagship sneaker release of the year, Eris is a bold, unisex silhouette crafted for those who champion individuality and creative self-expression. It arrives as the next evolution in a season defined by innovation, building on the design language established by the Slow Runner and Tact Runner, both of which laid the groundwork for this sculptural new direction.
Symbolic in both name and spirit, Eris is made for the globally minded and creatively driven. More than just a sneaker, the Eris fuses craft and culture to create a forward-thinking silhouette that doesn’t just follow trends, but sets them. The Eris silhouette itself leans sculptural with a mid-profile shape and layered suede panels that interlock like wearable architecture. Each pair is hand-distressed for a one-of-a-kind finish, embodying the individuality the design stands for. The details? Next level. Think tonal stitching, contrast nylon ribbing, a subtle sandpaper-texture print, and logo placements that aren’t over the top and give an understated timelessness to the footwear.
As part of the campaign, a dreamlike visual study shot by Georgia Davey Smith and motion directed by Juana Wein, invites us into the “psychological green room” — a space suspended between performance and becoming. It’s here that Eris lives and breathes, embodied by three boundary-pushing musicians: Ana Roxanne, Camille Jansen, and Bea. Each artist brings a distinct emotional palette to the story. Bea, representing Yellow, channels introspective soundscapes laced with ethereal vocals. Camille Jansen brings depth and grit in Charcoal, offering acoustic narratives of resilience and reflection. Ana Roxanne, draped in Blue, takes us on ambient, meditative journeys through layered identity and analogue sound.
To celebrate the release of both the men’s and women’s Eris, 1883 sits down with Creative Director Jens Werner to learn more about the sneaker, the campaign, and more.
Eris is described as distilling a decade of Axel Arigato’s design evolution – what specific elements or milestones did you draw from when shaping its final form?
Eris came together as a bit of a love letter to the last ten years of design at Axel. We pulled references from across the archive from newer developments such as the Slow and Tact Runner, to the classic Marathon style, which has always been a brand favourite. The idea was to rework those foundations into something that felt more contemporary. The end result brings together the contrasts we’ve explored over time, from sculptural suede overlays to a melted sole, all packaged together in a familiar style that looks both vintage/worn, yet timeless and inherently Scandinavian.
Eris carries a strong symbolic and sculptural identity. How did you balance functionality with its bold aesthetic, especially across the unisex silhouette?
With Eris, we wanted to find that sweet spot between bold expression and everyday wearability. A lot of that came down to the sole; it’s sculptural and oversized, but the EVA midsole keeps it feeling lightweight and low to the ground. The upper is more refined and contoured, so there’s this tension between something sleek and something more exaggerated. We also played with tonal burnishing across the materials to give it a slightly worn-in, individual feel – no two pairs are exactly the same, which I think adds to that personal, genderless quality we were after.
You’ve framed Eris as a “lifestyle statement” for those rejecting convention. How do you envision it speaking to today’s culturally curious and creatively driven generation?
Eris is a symbol of self-expression, made for people who don’t want to be boxed in. Our campaign reflects that energy, showing the sneaker styled in various ways, with different lacing techniques and personal embellishments. It’s not about telling people what’s on trend, but about inviting them to interpret the design for themselves, to explore and define their own narrative through it. We want to give our community the opportunity to express themselves with multiple colourways and styling options.
The name ‘Eris’ itself conjures ideas of disruption and mythological defiance. What does this symbolism mean to you personally, and how did it shape the storytelling?
The idea of disruption was baked into Eris from the start – not just in how it looks, but in how it feels. We didn’t want to be too literal with the storytelling, but we knew we wanted to tap into this energy of defiance and individuality. The campaign follows three musicians right before they go on stage… that charged moment when everything is still and chaotic all at once. It’s about that raw emotional build-up – nerves, adrenaline, vulnerability, power and using that to mirror the spirit of the shoe.
Working with artists like Ana Roxanne, Camille Jansen, and Bea, each tied to a colorway, added strong emotional layers. How did these collaborations influence or reflect the essence of Eris?
These collaborations gave Eris a relatable and human dimension. Each artist embodies the values we designed the sneaker around: creative independence, emotional depth, and personal style. Their involvement added a cultural resonance, allowing people to connect not just with a product, but with the energy and attitude it represents. All three of these talents have a uniquely individual sense of self and creative practice, and we want to empower others to feel the same.
With the Eris Event Series set to take the campaign into real-world spaces, how do you hope these intimate experiences will resonate with the Axel Arigato community globally?
We wanted the community to literally be able to step into the campaign. These events offer a rare chance to witness experimental live music while experiencing the psychological and emotional world behind the campaign. Music has always been a part of Axel Arigato’s DNA, and with Eris, we’re blending live performance, visual storytelling, and audience immersion into something truly memorable. A truly ‘had to be there’ moment.
Learn more about the Eris sneaker by Axel Arigao at axelarigato.com.
Images courtesy of Axel Arigato
