Last week marked one of the most bumpin' nights in Paris (and no, we aren't just talking about any old Paris Fashion Week afterparty). In our ongoing initiative with ASICS introducing bourgeoning Japanese music talent around the globe, we launched the second edition of WAVES at ASICS House Paris and the party was straight heat!

To get the blood flowing despite the cooler climate, Parisian tastemaker DJ Stems warmed up the night with a fire set filled with sonic goodness that drenched the ears of our early arrivers. Keeping the party at an all-time high, French rap artist Youri killed his live performance; reciprocating all the positive energy that the audience brought with them that evening. What better to back up those feel-good vibes than with an impeccable set from music aficionado and ultra-talented producer, Persian Empire? But wait, there's more! WAVES wouldn't exist without the poppin' artistry of Japanese musicians and their distinct sounds from the island nation. Blessing the diverse audience of fans, influencers and creatives alike with their Tokyo-based fire, we closed the night with an exclusive performance by three members of Japanese rap squad, kiLLa crew, who spit their rhymes over intricate melodies from their new producer, No Flower. Now how's that for a kick-ass event?

Not only did we bring an eclectic musical ensemble for the crowd to let loose to, but the second WAVES rendition also highitghed the launch of the new ASICS GEL-Lyte V Sanze Knit kicks. The fresh sneakers sport a flexible knitted upper encaged by a sleek overlay which sit atop a thick sole unit (perfect for the dance floor). We tapped French photographer Remy Ferrante to help deliver an exclusive editorial of the shoe, lit by the neon glow of Paris' Red Light District and saturated in rainbow hues. Music. Style. Cool visuals. What more could we ask for?

Unrated is all about taking things to the next, next level. Determined to turn the party one notch higher, we teamed up with Monochrome Paris for our very first VR project showing off the new GEL-Lyte V Sanze in an ASICS multiverse. This meant guests had the chance to unlock a whole different universe by selecting unique colorways of the new sneaker pairs and exploring all new terrains based on their shoe of choice. Those of you who are reading this thinking, I wish I were there, don't fret. The whole event was broadcasted on Facebook LIVE and is still available for viewing here! Take some time to enjoy the recap video then browse through the photography below for all the feels and stay tuned for more upcoming announcements. WAVES is coming back even stronger the next time we hit up Paris this June, and are looking to branch out to more European cities soon. Keep it locked.

Words: Vanessa Feder
Photography: Stephane Sby Malby