Kiko Kostadinov
Founder and creative director of Kiko Kostadinov
Kiko Kostadinov is a Bulgarian born, London based designer who founded his eponymous label after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2016. Known for technical reinventions of workwear and uniforms, he has built one of the most influential partnerships between an independent designer and a sportswear brand through his work with Asics.
| Role | Founder and creative director, Kiko Kostadinov |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 to 2017 |
| Partnerships | Asics, Asics Novalis, Mackintosh 0001 |
| Education | Central Saint Martins (BA and MA) |
| Born | 1989, Bulgaria |
Who is Kiko Kostadinov?
Kiko Kostadinov was born in Bulgaria in 1989 and moved to London at the age of 16. He is the founder and creative director of the Kiko Kostadinov label, which covers menswear, womenswear and footwear and is known for precisely engineered garments with highly functional cuts. The Business of Fashion describes his work as centred on technical reinventions of uniforms and workwear.
Career
Kostadinov studied at Central Saint Martins, completing a BA in fashion design and marketing followed by a master's degree. While still a student, in 2015, he created capsule collections with Stüssy that helped fund his studies. After graduating in 2016 he received British Fashion Council NEWGEN support, a slot on the London menswear schedule and a stockist deal with Dover Street Market. His debut collection followed in January 2017.
His career since has combined his own label with a series of partnerships:
- Creative director of Mackintosh 0001, the British heritage brand's premium line
- Footwear with Asics from 2018, expanded into the fashion line Asics Novalis in 2023
- Collaborations with Camper, Levi's, Heaven by Marc Jacobs and Fox Racing
- A womenswear line designed by Laura and Deanna Fanning from 2018
- Flagship stores in Tokyo and Los Angeles opened in 2024
He was a semi finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2019 and was named to the Forbes Europe 30 Under 30 list in the arts.
Influence on the fashion business
Kostadinov is one of the clearest examples of how a young independent label can grow through structured partnerships with larger companies rather than outside investment alone. His work with Asics, in particular, helped define the trend for technical running shoes as fashion items and showed how sportswear brands can use designer collaborations to reach new customers. His installation Otto 95.8 in Los Angeles in 2019 also led to a diffusion label, Otto 958.
Why it matters
Kostadinov sits at the intersection of fashion, sportswear and functional design, three areas that increasingly overlap in the market. His model of combining a demanding signature line with long term brand partnerships offers a template for independent designers seeking scale while keeping creative control.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kiko Kostadinov?
Kiko Kostadinov is a Bulgarian born designer based in London who founded his own label after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2016. He is known for technical workwear inspired clothing and his footwear with Asics.
What is Kiko Kostadinov's relationship with Asics?
He began designing footwear with Asics in 2018, and in 2023 the partnership expanded into the fashion line Asics Novalis.