We Go Again,

The Hype and High of it All

There have been many sneakers that have been repressed in 2018, don’t know whether it’s because I’ve been paying more attention to wearable design and sneaker tech but this feels like the most sneakers that have dropped in the space of a year.

The amount and type of people that are able to get sneakers from Comedians like Kevin Hart and Resellers like Sean Wotherspoon the variety of origins in creative design has been off the wall as Nike and Adidas fight for the top spot.

So with that intro let’s get into it. In no particular order

1) Off White x Air Jordan “White”

Virgil does it again with this release at the top of the year, continuing with The Ten inspo, along with a cut+paste Nike swoosh zip tie and orange tab

The theme for Virgil’s Collaborations have stayed true and consistent which is very commendable and noteworthy, the 3% effect is bringing the sneakers forward and without losing integrity within the Air Jordan brand. Still at 3X retail price whenever resellers are bumping the lovers but that’s a different blog for a different day. Well done Virgil.

2) Yeezy 500

Kanye has been bringing higher and higher the brand of yeezy with his designs curating for a more savvy buyer that understands design and quality of product

It show in design and in the market for it as 500 are unavailable everywhere as soon as they dropped the colour-ways they shape the comfortability and how they feel on feet these win with those who buy, there is not one complaint I can find in the market.

3) Nike Reacts x Undercover

These right here are struck me as soon as I saw them, a true visceral reaction, it doesn’t happen often but when it does it’s so enjoyable, knowing Jun Takahashi well for his denim that is grailed by many

he joins up with Nike with this funky fresh pair of Japanese styled colour blocking trainers, fulfilling his Fan Base wishes of a Nike shoe, one of many designers bought to western light snagged by Nike in true opportunist fashion.

4) Cactus Jack Jordan 4’s

This was such an unexpected collab and I didn’t know what to expect but for Travis to come out with this Kick the way he did it is the start of an amazing journey in sneaker curation

Whether Nike Gives him his very own silhouette like his mentor before him Kanye West is what the future holds. But for now we’re enjoying what he has given to us in the Jordan 4’s

5) Pharrell Crazy BYW Empathy

This trainer had to make this list, if not for the OG technology, curated so excellently by Pharrell seeing the tones and inspiration of culture in these, having all these sneakers look so incredibly fun looking.

Which is truly where my taste is heading, lovely and free lines. The design considerations made are exactly what I expect from someone who has been doing this for quite some time.

OP ED

There were really so many sneaker releases this year. Too many to name I felt like these 5 were noteworthy because they bought something new and an element of where design is going, picking the right yellow, blue, red & even black is always on a designers mind. When I look at these I feel people who tried.

What Nike and Adidas have done is create a true competitive market, Creatives like Virgil and Fear Of Gods Jerry Lorenzo going head to head with Kanye West and Pharrell the Catalyst for much cultural influence in artist from the black Community getting a shot in designing. Like Travis Scott Tyga and Drake getting a say in how their sneakers would look.

Final thoughts

Nike really stepped up their game, giving Samuel Ross his second sneaker and recruiting Yoon of Ambush & Matthew of Alyx. Right now I’m drawing a true blank and there’s not one notable Adidas recruit that made waves in Sneakers.

I think we can truly call this Nike’s Year, after 2017 and Adidas’ 200% increase in market cap.

The yeezy effect, Nike wasn’t looking to do that again and really came back with a blast. So let’s call it a draw.

We’re learning more of – Whatever Moves Your Dial

Damilare. Not Your Typical

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Notable sneakers:

Yassin Saidi with Rs x

Saleh bemberry with Versace

Sean Wotherspoon with Nike