Nearly a century later, the German Army Trainer is more relevant than ever. From luxury fashion houses to sportswear brands, its low-profile design has been embraced by the masses. While countless iterations of GAT-inspired shoes exist, Pane broke through with the introduction of its Light Training NO-GI sneaker. The Chinese brand, established in 2022, skyrocketed in popularity as people were drawn to the NO-GI’s deconstructed aesthetic. For founder Chen Ning and the rest of the team, this was just the beginning.Rooted in three key design principles: timelessness, motion, and authenticity, Pane utilizes Ning’s decade-long experience in bespoke menswear to deliver footwear meant to be worn habitually. By elevating each touchpoint associated with the brand, from distinct regional storefronts to intentional design choices, Pane seeks to seamlessly integrate itself into your rotation.We’re only months removed from the launch of its global website, and Pane is on pace to expand its global presence throughout 2026. We caught up with the team to discuss independence, restraint, and what it means to design shoes that simply feel right.Simply put, what is Pane?On the surface, Pane makes shoes and apparel. Backing each design is a mission to ensure that people can navigate their everyday lives feeling comfortable, elegant, and true to themselves. However, it’s not simply transactional; it’s a long-term social experience. The entire interaction is considered, from the distinct offline storefronts to the complementary nature of Pane objects with a good book or coffee.Are there any specific points of inspiration that inform this overarching vision?A recognizable divide in women’s footwear choices in cities. On one end of the spectrum, traditional formal options such as high heels, and on the other, lifestyle shoes rooted in the DNA of performance brands. Pane is meant to bridge this gap, offering a “quiet confidence” via a combination of technical detailing and elegant style.What is Pane’s target market?Since Pane’s inception, we’ve emphasized consumers aged 25 to 45, mostly women-oriented. However, we were surprised to find that our work resonated greatly with men, too. At first, 70-80% of our Instagram following was male, something we did not expect. As a result, we’ve had many requests for expanded sizing options on models like the Zephyr Training, which is inspired by ballet shoes.“Backing each design is a mission to ensure that people can navigate their everyday lives feeling comfortable, elegant, and true to themselves.”The brand has already started carving out its own position on a global scale. How does Pane seek to address its various growing regional audiences?We speak with many different accents, but we have one core language. A shoe like the Light Training NO-GI is built one way, what changes is the way we enter people’s lives in different regions.For China, we intentionally place ourselves in high-energy, premium retai
Pane: From a Viral GAT to a Way of Living
