Salomon's 2026 ROAD TO THE FUTURE design competition in Shanghai

 French outdoor sports brand Salomon has launched the latest edition of its acclaimed ROAD TO THE FUTURE initiative at its Anfu concept store in Shanghai, marking the official opening of the 2026 ROAD TO THE FUTURE design competition.

The event introduced this year's theme, "Archived for the Future," bringing together renowned Chinese fashion designer Uma Wang and eight emerging creative talents to reimagine Salomon's iconic XT-RIDGE and ACS PRO footwear silhouettes. The launch also signaled the start of the public voting phase, with Salomon China brand ambassador Bai Jingting casting the competition's first official vote.

To celebrate the occasion, the Anfu concept store was transformed into a Future Fashion Archive, an immersive exhibition space showcasing how archival inspiration can be translated into future-forward design. Through interactive installations and curated displays, visitors explored the creative journeys behind each designer's work.

A panel discussion featuring Bai Jingting, Uma Wang, and leading fashion media figure Jin Qu examined the evolving relationship between outdoor performance and contemporary fashion. The conversation highlighted shifting consumer lifestyles, the growing influence of outdoor aesthetics, and the emergence of a new generation of Chinese designers reshaping the creative landscape.

Drawing from her personal design archives, Uma Wang incorporated signature elements from her celebrated ballet flat series and vintage-inspired polka-dot motifs into Salomon's technical footwear framework. The eight emerging designers—Chao Li, GG, Jaden Li, Joyce Bao, Karmuel Young, Kinyan Lam, Sifan Chen, and Zita Tan—offered unique interpretations inspired by nature, technology, cultural heritage, and futuristic visions.

As a platform dedicated to nurturing global creative talent, ROAD TO THE FUTURE continues to provide emerging designers with opportunities to explore innovative footwear concepts while engaging with Salomon's rich outdoor heritage. The competition winner will be selected through a combined evaluation process involving public voting, industry experts, and Salomon representatives. The winning designer will earn the opportunity to collaborate with Salomon on future projects.

The ROAD TO THE FUTURE exhibition runs at the Anfu concept store in Shanghai through June 10, offering visitors an up-close look at the next generation of outdoor-inspired design. Through this initiative, Salomon continues to champion creativity, innovation, and the growing intersection between fashion and functionality.