A DARWEN-born fashioner designer has given his home-town’s name to a new Adidas trainer.

Gary Aspden, a former Holy Trinity pupil, works as a freelance consultant for the sportswear giant, and was approached to create a signature shoe by Japanese designer Kazuki Kuraishi.

Kazuki was on tour in the UK with mutual friend Ian Brown of band The Stone Roses and asked to include Gary’s ideas as part of his 2011 Originals By Originals collection.

Gary, 40, said: “He approached me to design a signature shoe, but I felt a bit uncomfortable about it having my name on.

“But I worked on a design, and said that if my name wasn’t to go on, I’d like the name of my home town instead.

“I’m very proud of my home town and it means that all my old friends can go and get a pair.”

To be launched this coming weekend, the shoe will cost £125 and will only be sold at a select number of independent retailers. Already Gary’s friend, former Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder, has got his hands on a promotional pair.

The trainer is part of the Adidas Originals retro collection with sees classic designs given an updated twist.

The Darwen’s sole is modelled on a running shoe, while the upper part in the style of a hiking boot.

They are intended to be casual streetwear.

Gary is famous for his vast personal collection of Adidas trainers that he takes with him around the world, and believes that the Darwen shoe will be a must-buy item for fellow enthusiasts.

The former Blackburn Art College pupil studied a degree in fashion promotion at the University of Central Lancashire and now lives in London.

He worked for Adidas for 12 years, becoming global head of Adidas's Entertainment Promotions before becoming self-employed.

Madonna, Jamiroquai and Liam and Noel Gallagher are just some of the many names in his bulging contact book, who seek his advice when it comes to being seen in the latest gear.

His relevance has been recognised by men's style-magazine The Face, which has placed him in the top 100 most influential people in the industry worldwide.