#Paris #France #Sports Innovation #Paris Design Week #ANTA FOLD

ANTA FOLD Shines at Paris Design Week 2026

In September 2026, ANTA, a prominent Chinese sports apparel brand, unveiled its latest innovation, ANTA FOLD, at the China Creative Pavilion during the highly anticipated Paris Design Week. Known globally as a trend-setting event in design, Paris Design Week provided the perfect platform for ANTA to demonstrate how traditional art forms and cutting-edge technology can intertwine to redefine sports footwear.

The centerpiece of the ANTA FOLD exhibit was a large-scale origami art installation titled "From Plane to Rebound." Initially showcased in Shanghai, this installation captured the imagination of onlookers by embodying the intricate mechanics of origami, a traditional Japanese art form. The installation consisted of 720 triangular tessellation units, all crafted from a single sheet of paper, showcasing the silhouette of a running shoe purely through natural deformations – without any cuts or adhesives. Observers were invited to experience firsthand the dynamic relationship between artistic design and structural science, underscoring how seemingly delicate materials can withstand significant stress through innovative transformations.

The development of ANTA FOLD comes from the collaborative efforts of the ANTA Innovation Laboratory, alongside research teams led by Professor Zhong You from the University of Oxford, Professor Yan Chen from Tianjin University, and Professor Guanyun Wang from Zhejiang University. These collaborations have allowed ANTA to blend the ancient art of origami with modern engineering principles, applying the diversity and structural versatility of origami to the midsoles of running shoes. By strategically arranging geometric units, ANTA FOLD brings a quantifiable "architectural philosophy" into reality.

The innovation has culminated in an expandable "structural matrix platform," adaptable to the different needs of various user groups. By utilizing parametric adjustments, the midsole structure can be customized to enhance performance, addressing weight reduction and efficiency from materials to overall design.

One notable configuration is the H1-Waterbomb structure, which showcases a negative Poisson coefficient through an offset arrangement of traditional six-fold units. This midsole structure optimally harnesses energy upon landing and releases it swiftly during push-off, providing exceptional energy absorption and responsive rebounds for urban runners. Other configurations, such as the Z1 Square-twist and M1 Multi-layer designs, are specifically tailored for rolling motions and energy absorption respectively, further demonstrating the technology's scalability.

ANTA FOLD's innovative contributions have been recognized with numerous international accolades, including the prestigious Red Dot Design Award and gold and platinum awards from the MUSE Design Awards. The brand has positioned itself at the forefront of the global search for structural damping technologies, merging cutting-edge design with practical functionality.

Franck Millot, the President of Paris Design Week, remarked, "The sports industry has always been one of the first to explore new materials and to find a balance between technology and design. A pair of running shoes can also serve as a piece of art. ANTA FOLD embodies the rise of Chinese aesthetics, reflecting a unique narrative and confidence."

Beyond merely being a showcase of innovation, ANTA FOLD was integrated into the urban landscape of Paris during a captivating "Architecture-Running" event. Members of a leading Parisian running community laced up their ANTA FOLD shoes alongside distinguished international guests, running past iconic city landmarks. Here, the dialogue between cutting-edge technology and historical architecture began to unfold.

Moreover, the FOLD workshop allowed participants to engage directly with origami, revealing the mechanics behind the art. Under the guidance of an artist, attendees crafted their own origami structures, exploring the transformative powers of folding and unfolding, and experiencing the beauty embedded within each crease.

As a notable participant in the China Creative Pavilion at Paris Design Week, ANTA FOLD signals a pivotal shift for Chinese sports brands, moving from the export of manufacturing capabilities to the export of technology and design excellence. From the introduction of ANTA FOLD and the educational program "Physics of Folded Space" delivered at the Design Innovation Institute in Shanghai to its groundbreaking pre-launch in Beverly Hills and the highlight at Paris, ANTA FOLD aims to elevate athletes' performance and social presence around the globe.

With a sport-oriented perspective encapsulated by the slogan "Bon Goût! Good Taste!", Lou Yongqi, President of Shanghai University of Engineering Science, emphasized the creative brilliance of ANTA FOLD. He suggested that transforming familiar cultural experiences rooted in daily life into product innovations through scientific and technological means represents a compelling form of expression and inspiration. Furthermore, he indicated that origami could become a subject of academic inquiry, prompting further exploration of its potential applications.

ANTA FOLD signifies more than just a technological milestone within China's sports scene; it has garnered international recognition through influential design awards, affirming the brand's leadership in structural damping technologies while showcasing the beauty of aesthetic innovation and functional design. This marks a transition from "Made in China" to "Designed in China."

The 12-hour journey across continents has transported ANTA's 30 years of innovation history to Paris, where the brand merges design rooted in Chinese ingenuity with advanced structural innovation to deliver smarter, more efficient, and distinctly Chinese sporting solutions to athletes worldwide.