ANTA FOLD Unveils Structural Innovations at Paris Design Week 2026

In September 2026, renowned Chinese sports brand ANTA made waves at the Paris Design Week, showcasing their revolutionary new model, ANTA FOLD. The event, held in the Creative Pavilion, is celebrated globally as a barometer of design trends, and ANTA's participation was marked by an artistic installation inspired by origami.

The centerpiece of the display, titled "From Plane to Rebound," took the form of a large structure demonstrating ANTA's application of origami mechanics. This remarkable piece was constructed entirely from a single sheet of paper, consisting of 720 triangular elements, ingeniously designed to create the silhouette of a running shoe. The installation aimed not only to captivate audiences but also to foster interaction, inviting attendees from diverse cultural backgrounds to engage with its aesthetic appeal.

The concept behind ANTA FOLD draws heavily from traditional origami, enhanced by collaborative research featuring prominent figures such as Professor Zhong You from the University of Oxford, and Proffers Yan Chen and Guanyun Wang from Chinese universities. By merging this ancient art form with modern mechanics, ANTA aims to apply the intricacies found in origami to innovative sports footwear, particularly focusing on the middle soles of running shoes. This pioneering work harnesses a well-thought-out geometric arrangement, transforming a visual design into a tangible engineering philosophy.

The ANTA FOLD utilizes a high-engineering structural matrix called a "structural matrix platform." This ingenious system allows for parametric adjustments to the origami modules, enabling customization tailored to different user groups. This adjustability not only enhances performance but also reduces the overall weight of the shoes. One of the configurations, known as the "H1 Waterbomb" with negative Poisson's ratio, showcases how the midsole structure can effectively absorb and redistribute energy during landing and takeoff, making it ideal for everyday runners and urban athletes alike. Other configurations, including the "Z1 Square-twist" and "M1 Multi-layer," cater to specific rolling applications and energy absorption, emphasizing the versatility of this technological advancement.

ANTA FOLD has received significant acclaim, winning multiple international awards, including the prestigious Red Dot Design Award and accolades from the MUSE Design Awards. These achievements highlight the remarkable progress made in structural damping technologies. Franck Millot, Chairman of Paris Design Week, acknowledged that the sports sector continually seeks to explore new material possibilities while balancing innovative technology with artistic design, stating that each running shoe also tells a unique story and embodies confidence.

Beyond the exhibition space, ANTA orchestrated an immersive event titled "Architecture Running," integrating the ANTA FOLD with the urban landscape of Paris. Renowned runners and international guests donned ANTA FOLD shoes and traversed iconic city locales, creating a dialogue between futuristic structures and timeless moments. Additionally, attendees participated in a FOLD workshop, learning the intricacies of origami and experiencing the beauty of folding and unfolding in a hands-on manner.

The significance of ANTA's participation in this prestigious event represents a turning point for Chinese sporting brands—moving from merely exporting production capabilities to showcasing innovation in technology and design. From its launch in Shanghai at the Design Innovation Institute to its premiere in Beverly Hills and now at Paris Design Week, ANTA FOLD solidifies its presence in the world of sport while offering a unique Chinese perspective on athletic footwear.

Lou Yongqi, President of Shanghai University of Engineering Sciences, commended the creativity presented by ANTA FOLD, emphasizing the transformation of familiar cultural experiences into innovative products through scientific approaches. He underscored the potential for further academic exploration into origami and its future applications.

More than just a technological leap for Chinese sports, ANTA FOLD has received notable accolades around the globe, underscoring the brand's leadership in structural damping and highlighting the superiority of its aesthetic innovation paired with functional design. This development signifies a notable shift from "Made in China" to "Designed in China," showcasing the remarkable journey of 30 years of innovation culminating in Paris. ANTA blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge structural innovations to offer smarter, more efficient sporting solutions—infusing each product with a distinctively Chinese identity.