Rise and Shine On: A Complete History of Awake NY's Footwear Colabs
The story of how founder Angelo Baque went from moonlighter to brand master will get your vagabond shoes longing to stray. Baque grew up in – specifically Richmond Hill, Queens – with strong, early interests in photography, fashion, and the arts. When he was old enough to ride the subway on his own, he started taking the one-hour trip down to SoHo as often as possible, diving deep into the eclectic downtown scene to fuel his creativity. After interning at The Source and Fader magazines, he eventually became brand director, helping transform the underground skate shop into a household name.
Awake NY began as a side project – a way for Baque to expand his creative ideas beyond Supreme. From its official launch in 2012, the label reflected Baque’s perspective of and experiences in New York, blending streetwear, culture, and storytelling into a distinctive aesthetic that has continued to influence sneakers, collaborations and downtown style ever since.
With the brand’s colab set to (and already tipped as SOTY for some), now seems like just the right time to inspect the timeline of Awake NY’s footwear linkups. Scroll on for the full rundown!
Awake NY x ASICS GEL-Kayano 5 360 (2019)
Strap in, folks: 2019 saw Awake NY jump into the sneaker game with the , and what a way to make an entrance! The silhouette, already a running legend thanks to the Japanese imprint’s tech-heavy design, received a full-on Gotham remix with mesh, suede and layered overlays that felt alive with city energy. Colour pops landed in all the right spots, branding stayed subtle, and somehow the whole thing managed to channel the rhythm of NYC streets without desperately screaming for attention.
The rollout kept everyone on their toes; early images, teasers and deliberate drip-feed reveals made the hype feel earned rather than forced. Walking the line between heritage and modern style, the GEL-Kayano 5 360 hit that sweet spot where performance tech meets street smarts. Collectors and culture vultures alike found a lot to unpack: every panel and every texture whispered of a city that’s layered, restless and full of personality.
Awake NY x ASICS GEL-Preleus (2020)
Awake NY’s next colab with ASICS saw the GEL-Preleus transformed into a reflection of New York’s layered streets and energy. Known for its sleek, running-inspired silhouette and performance-driven design, the GEL-Preleus presented the perfect canvas for Baque’s POV. For this release, Awake stacked mesh, suede and minimal overlays in a way that hinted at the city’s architectural texture, balancing technical precision with street-savvy sensibilities. The colourways were muted but thoughtfully chosen, giving the colab a multipurposed and understated energy that could move seamlessly from city sidewalks to casual settings. Deliberate yet considered branding allowed for the model’s form and details to speak to both the heritage of ASICS and the ethos of Awake NY.
Awake NY x Reebok Workout Lo Plus, InstaPump Fury (2020)
Launched in 2020, the Awake NY x colab turned heads by reimagining two of the ‘Bok’s most recognisable models: the and the Each pair combined bold colourways with a melange of premium materials, nodding to both the Bolton-founded label’s history, and international hip hop and art scenes. In typical Awake NY style, the release was unveiled with a plush lookbook, which included an accompanying set of apparel – namely hockey jerseys and tracksuits – cementing its tribute to the Big Apple.
Awake NY x ASICS GEL-Kayano Trainer 21 (2021)
As Awake NY entered their third year of footwear collaborations, the brand had carved itself a reputation for remixing heritage with flair – and their take on the ASICS was no exception. Dropping in two colorways – one subtle in cream and grey, the other loud in neon green and orange – the neck-cracking colab struck a balance between technical DNA and playful attitude. Technical mesh uppers layered with suede and synthetic overlays gave the runner its trademark feel, while co-branded details made it unmistakably Awake. More than just a play on contrasts, the release paid homage to the Kayano’s running legacy while planting both feet firmly in NYC’s style ecosystem.
Awake NY x Merell Jungle Moc (2021)
2021 also saw Awake NY step off the pavement and into the great outdoors with Merrell, reviving the cult-classic Jungle Moc for a new generation of ’heads. First dropping in 1998 as a slip-on built for trail life, the Moc had long been a sleeper hit – practical, durable, and also strangely stylish in its own laid-back way. As for the colab itself, the debut team-up saw the laceless model reworked to feature suede in earthy neutrals along with bold pops of blue and red. Co-branded embroidery and subtle detailing tied the look together, but the spirit of the Moc remained the same: easy-going comfort with a hint of edge.
Awake NY x Vans Sk8-Hi (2021)
The Awake NY x from 2021 dropped as a perfect cultural snapshot. The model saw the classic skate silhouette meet New Amsterdam attitude, with details that murmured to those in the know – boroughs, subcultures, and urban rawness embedded into every stitch. It was the kind of release that rewarded attention: look close, and you could feel the pulse of the streets reflected in the design.
Awake NY x Crocs Classic Clog (2022)
By the time they linked with on the , Awake NY had already built a name for flipping staples with expert aplomb – and this colab was another proof point. Long dismissed by sneaker purists, the clog had nevertheless begun its cultural renaissance, and Baque’s label pushed it further into the style conversation. Awake paired gradient uppers – reminiscent of a retro runner’s finish – with Jibbitz that nodded to the city that built the brand.
Awake NY x ASICS GEL-Lyte III (2022)
By 2022, the had more colabs under its split tongue than most models have laces, but Awake NY still managed to find a way to make the old dog bark differently – not once, but four times! Originally released in the early 90s as ASICS’ signature running shoe, the model hit the ‘verse in a mixture of corduroy, suede and plastic overlays across simple two-tone mixes. It was proof that even an OG runner could still be hiding tricks up its sleeve.
Awake NY x ASICS GEL-NYC (2023)
When it came to the ASICS , Baque’s goal was simple: make a colab that screams New York, in all its diverse, tough, and straight-up stylish glory. Paying homage to iconic NYC aesthetics, the teal and pink iteration even nods to Cam’ron’s legendary 2002 pink-fur ‘fit. Notably, the GEL-NYC fused together details from ASICS’ GEL-NIMBUS 3, , and , and has since been reworked by others including , , and Danish fave
Awake NY x Converse One Star Pro Ox (2023)
October 2023 saw Awake NY step off the usual ASICS rotation and into territory. Instead of sticking with the classic , the colab comprised three takes on the Each pair drew inspiration from New York City’s skate and alternative music scenes of the early 90s, when the One Star was reintroduced and quickly became a staple for local creatives. The release finally brought to life a partnership that had teased fans for years; back in 2018, Baque hinted at a One Star linkup that never materialised, and while the reasons for the delay remain coveted lore, the wait only made the drop sweeter.
Awake NY x Vans Old Skool (2023)
For their second team-up with the Cali skate label, Awake NY took the off the shelf and gave it a proper downtown makeover. Rather than sticking to the standard formula, the colab featured two audacious colourways that pulled directly from NYC’s skate and punk worlds. The first mixed green suede with yellow canvas and layered in an udderly bold cow print, while the other kept it sleek in black suede with the same graphic twist. White midsoles and laces balanced the designs, and gum outsoles grounded the models in classic Vans functionality. The embroidered ‘AWAKE’ logo on the heel acted as a city stamp, cementing the connection to the streets that inspired the drop.
Awake NY x Jordan Air Ship (2024)
The Jordan has always existed in the shadow of its yet it carries a quietly undeniable place in sneaker lore. Worn by during his rookie NBA season, the silhouette represents the genesis of an icon’s journey and the spark that would ignite a global footwear revolution. For Awake NY, this meant reimagining the model with the unmistakable grid of the concrete jungle in mind, turning the court-ready classic into a canvas for New York’s streets, energy, and attitude. ‘Sail’ leather formed the base, accented by pops of ‘Game Royal’ and ‘Metallic Platinum’ accents. Snakeskin-textured collars and subtly embroidered ‘A’ branding added streetwear cred, while the classic high-top shape maintained the silhouette’s original hardwood DNA.
Awake NY x Dr Martens Lowell Shoe (2024)
Cue the city streets’ own soundtrack – only this time, it’s the rumble of Docs hitting pavement. The x Awake NY Lowell dropped in 2024, and it was loud without even trying. Two hair-on-leather colourways – bright green and 'Peony Navy' – brought the toughness of the good doctor into Awake’s neon-hued playground, while subtle nods to NYC subcultures – and yes, even Cumbia music – gave the model a pulse beyond the release itself.
Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 (2025)
You know it: the Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 has been a slow-burn sensation throughout 2025, with this Saturday set to finally let collectors and coveters step into one of the year’s most hyped releases. You can find out everything you need to know about the drop – and its occasionally messy moments –
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