CONCEPTS x New Balance

The CNCPTS x New Balance 1000 ‘Míle’ raffle will launch on Wednesday, March 12 at 12pm EST. Winners can collect their sneakers at CNCPTS locations in Boston, New York, and Miami on Friday, March 14 at 11am EST. Additionally, pairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on cncpts.com starting at 11am EST on March 14. Good luck!

Concepts have been upping the game when it comes to their New Balance colabs this year, with their recent NB740 effort evoking the feeling of living the high life thanks to the champagne-influenced ‘Saignee’ and ‘Brut’. Their next project is equally luxe, although this time the pair wears its influence on its tux sleeve, as the NB1000 colourways are pure money.

Leaked within a moodboard carousel stacked with references to cold hard cash, the resulting NBs are as crispy as a $100 bill. While names are yet to be revealed, the first CNCPTS x NB1000 iteration sports a layered make-up of dark green, white and sage panels, while a second pair below forgoes the sage tones for more white and replaces the dark green toe box with a black variation. There are also two predominantly white pairs – one looks to feature a white leather upper with green accents, while the other features a white mesh base with green panelling up top. Each pair then boasts a red ‘1000’ logo at the forefoot, as well as additional co-branded logos on the tongue.

So far, it’s yet to be revealed as to which pairs will be samples or Friends and Family exclusives, so until then make sure to stay locked for more info as it comes in!

INFLUENCER SERIES

TODD SNYDER’s INFLUENCER SERIES

Join me at Todd Snyder Boston for the "Thursday Influencer Series" featuring
HERV JEANBAPTISTE (CREATIVE CONSULTANT & TASTEMAKER)
speaking about his pick on the first drop of Todd Snyder's Fall '24 collection.
Enjoy live music, specialty cocktails, and a Q&A session.

When: Thursday, 8/8/24
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Todd Snyder Seaport, 70 Pier 4 BLVD.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

TODD SNYDER x WOODY ROCKWELLL x SUCCESS IS MY COLOGNE

BC EAGLES x NEW BALANCE

Boston College Receives Special Edition of the New Balance 9060

New Balance continues to pay homage to the city of Boston. This time, the shoe brand has introduced a special edition colorway for Boston College with its New Balance 9060 silhouette. The shoe comes months after the brand announced the school-specific New Balance 550. Its second shoe dedicated to the school, the new colorway receives direct nods to the institutuion.

The “Boston College” iteration for the New Balance 9060 sees the shoe constructed in a mixture of materials. Mostly constructed out of a light grey mesh upper and suede overlays, the school’s maroon undertones hit the “N” branded on the side as well as the inner lining and parts of the sole. The tongue is elevated in leather while the school’s “BC” logo is stitched on top. The insoles feature Boston College’s “Eagles” inscription to celebrate their mascot and inject a dose of school spirit, on-theme with the design.

Look out for the New Balance 9060 “Boston College” arriving in the coming weeks at select retailers and online. Joyce Li

NEW BALANCE 1906L LOAFER

NEW BALANCE 1906L LOAFER
“METALLIC SILVER” RELEASES IN 2024

Introducing the New Balance 1906L Loafer in “Metallic Silver”! After its initial debut in “Green”, this stylish shoe returns with a new look. Revealed at a Junya Watanabe runway show during Paris Fashion Week, it’s now gearing up for a broader release.

Crafted with a breathable grey mesh base and metallic silver leather accents, this version maintains its signature features. It boasts toe guards, a plastic heel counter, and a midsole while sporting a sleek black rubber sole for added elegance. The branding details like the “1906L” insignia, the iconic “N” logo, and “NB” branding enhance its fashionable appeal.

The New Balance 1906L Loafer “Metallic Silver” will hit shelves in 2024. It’ll be available at select New Balance retailers both in-store and online, including NewBalance.com. Coming in unisex sizes, the price for this trendy footwear is still under wraps.

In conclusion, the NB 1906L Loafer in “Metallic Silver” promises a blend of style and comfort. With its sophisticated design and iconic branding, it’s sure to make a statement in the world of fashion footwear. Stay tuned for its release and be ready to step out in style!
BY MARIO BRIGUGLIO

THE NIKE SB DUNK HIGH “STRAWBERRY COUGH”

Originally intended to be Nike SB’s traditional April 20th release in 2020, the infamous “Strawberry Cough” release of the Dunk High had been indefinitely postponed since it first came to light early last year. And with 2021’s 420 holiday also come and gone, a release this year seemed rather unlikely. However, official images of the weed-inspired sneaker have surfaced, suggesting that a release for this mythical pair could be looming.

A quick refresher: the forefoot of the Dunk is colored in red, with the overlays and mid-panel dimpled with touches of yellow to mimic the exterior seeds of the fruit. The Swoosh, heel, and ankle are covered in the standard hairy green suede to replicate the texture and visuals of weed, while a mascot of a coughing strawberry is featured on the heel and on the insoles. A soft heel-tab is also added, presumably to represent the leafy part of the head.

The appearance of Nike official images is by no means a confirmation of a release, but this is the most favorable developments yet. See the official photos ahead and stay tuned for updates.

LOUIS VUITTON x OFF-WHITE x NIKE AIR FORCE 1

Since entering mainstream consciousness, Virgil Abloh has demonstrated that he’s never not working. The Illinois-native’s relentless drive has produced collections with IKEA, speakers with Ojas and most recently 21 pairs of the Louis Vuitton x Off-White x Nike Air Force 1.

Unveiled at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2022 runway show in Paris on June 24th, the collection of sneakers mark yet another expansive project from Abloh. Unlike “The 50,” however, the upcoming series of the Nike Sportswear classic in low and mid-top trims boasts an assortment of colors and patterns. Off-White’s signature “Canary Yellow” makes an appearance on a two-tone pair featuring “LV” monograms all across the premium leather and canvas upper; Louis Vuitton’s oft-imitated Damier pattern is superimposed with ostensibly skate-inspired prints; off-center, co-branded labels on the tongue, fluorescent green tabs on the lateral swoosh and Helvetica text on the medial mid-foot reprise their usual roles throughout the latest Off-White-backed Air Force 1s.

Although Abloh’s latest endeavor has quickly garnered much more excitement than the aforementioned Nike Dunk Low capsule, it’s already drawn comparisons to the cheap customs one would find on a sketchy website trying to pass replicas off as good deals on popular sneakers. The shoes will undoubtedly be of good quality given their association with LV, but their excessive branding and bold design surely comes off as gaudy to some – especially when compared to the Dior x Air Jordan 1, Off-White’s upcoming Air Force 1. Nevertheless, the “Amen Break” collection’s Nike shoes serve as yet more glimpses into the mind of one of the most sought-out designers of the last five years.

Enjoy images of of some of the upcoming pairs here below, as you wait for more details on what’s sure to be one of the most intricate roll outs in NIKE, Inc. history.

For more from under the NIKE, Inc. umbrella, check out all rumored and confirmed Jordan release dates for the remainder of 2021 and beyond.

LEGO® ADIDAS ORIGINALS SUPERSTAR SHOE

Since September 2020, LEGO and adidas have delivered a roster of classic silhouettes reimagined with color palettes, branding and detailing inspired by the Danish company’s iconic building blocks. Recently, the two European institutions have unveiled another component to their partnership via an adidas Superstar LEGO Brick Set.

Although previously-seen adidas Originals have included colored blocks as accents, none have been able to boast construction made entirely out of toy bricks. The latest product to emerge out of the aforementioned alliance isn’t meant to be worn, but it features all of the “shell-toe’s” signature details. For starters, the set takes on the sneaker’s original “Cloud White/Core Black” colorway. Shimmering “Metallic Gold” branding on the lateral profile and tongue further nod to the model’s retail version. The iconic toe-cap is recreated, but not out of durable rubber. Laces, however, are transplanted from the made-to-wear shoe, delivering yet another touch of accuracy to the special edition release. Lastly, the U.S. 7.5-sized “shoe” arrives with a display stand and plaque, collectible shoe box and 17 additional LEGO elements to create a one-of-a-kind model. Mixing in bricks from outside sets also works.

Enjoy official images of LEGO’s adidas Superstar Brick Set here below, and find the collection available via adidas.com on July 1st.

For more experimental takes backed by the Three Stripes, check out all YEEZY release dates for 2021 and beyond. by Jovani Hernandez for sneakernews.

LIFELIKE DETAILS
Includes adidas Originals Superstar graphics, shell toe shape, trefoil logo and 3-Stripes – just like the real thing. It even comes with laces and a shoe box.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Comes with 17 extra LEGO® elements so you can decide to build the left or right shoe. Customize with your own LEGO bricks to make it truly yours.

SPARK CONVERSATIONS
Add this never-seen-before LEGO creation to your sneaker collection to get people talking. A true collectible with display stand and plaque.

EXCLUSIVE BUILDABLE SHOE FROM THE LEGO® SUPERSTAR COLLECTION.
In this never-seen-before LEGO® shoe, you can recreate the iconic Superstar sneaker from bespoke LEGO bricks to make a collectable display piece that's sure to spark conversations. Just like the real thing, this LEGO version includes the iconic adidas Originals Superstar trainer graphics, shell-toe shape, trefoil logo and 3-Stripes.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Dimensions: 4.7" x 10.6" x 3.5"

  • Authentic adidas Superstar sneaker details

  • Lace closure

  • Display stand and plaque

  • Building instruction booklet includes the history of the shoe

  • Collectible shoe box packaging

  • Real shoe size: US 7.5

  • This set is designed for adults

  • Imported

  • Product color: White / Black

  • Product code: FZ8497

AIR YEEZY 1 PROTOTYPE SELLS FOR $1.8M

Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototype
Sells For $1.8 Million At Sotheby’s.

One of the most documented Yeezy sample sneakers in history has sold at a mind-blowing $1.8 million at Sotheby’s auction. Known in the sneaker community as the “Prototype”, this sneaker first came to light when Kanye West himself wore them during his live performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards; eyes were glued to Ye’s feet as he and Daft Punk collaborated on the show. It is considered to be the rarest Yeezy sneaker ever.

The Air Yeezy 1 “Prototype” was certainly not the beginning of Kanye West’s foray into footwear, as he collaborated regularly with Nike (on special colorways), A Bathing Ape, and Louis Vuitton before launch his first true signature shoe with Nike in 2009. But the Air Yeezy 1 was pivotal in Kanye’s development into a true industry competitor that just a decade later is competing with Michael Jordan in sales of lifestyle fashion sneakers. After the Air Yeezy 1 launched in summer 2009 to much fanfare, resell prices eclipsed $1,000 – a rarity during that era of sneakers. $1,000 is just one grain of sand in today’s massive sneaker resell industry, but at the time, it was unheard of. The sequel, the Air Yeezy 2, dropped in 2012, with the infamous “Red October” launching in early 2014. During that time gap, Kanye and Nike had a quiet yet dramatic split, leading to the birth of the YEEZY brand under adidas. Letting Kanye walk to its primary competitor stands as perhaps their most questionable decision of the modern era of the brand.

Before sneakers caught the attention of luxury auctions houses, the Prototype Yeezys were a regular fixture on eBay. These 1-of-1 Prototypes at one point were listed at $50,000 and later $75,000 by private sellers, which obviously pales in comparison to the $1.8 million it sold for at auction.

The buyer is RARES, which specializes in fractional ownership of collectible sneakers and other goods. Gerome Sapp, CEO & Co-Founder of RARES, commented: “We are thrilled to work with Sotheby’s on this acquisition. Our goal in purchasing such an iconic shoe – and a piece of history – is to increase accessibility and empower the communities that birthed sneaker culture with the tools to gain financial freedom through RARES. We look forward to working with Sotheby’s to continue to identify rare finds that will help elevate, preserve and uphold sneaker culture.” Those who are interested in owning a piece of the Air Yeezy 1 “Prototype” will eventually do so through the RARES platform.

nike air yeezy1.jpg

YEEZY FOAM RUNNER RED

Better late than never. The first-ever all-red adidas Yeezy shoe release is finally coming, and it’ll be in the form of one of the most provoking “sneakers” of the modern era. That would be the trending Yeezy Foam Runner, a shoe made of recycled algae and currently taking the footwear world by storm for its prehistoric look (as well as its many comparisons to Crocs). According to Yeezy Mafia, a release is  expected in October 2021 and is officially dubbed the “Vermilion”.

All-red has become a signature color-scheme of Kanye West after he introduced with his Air Yeezy 2, the swan song of his short-lived tenure with the Swoosh. Many expected the all-red look (commonly referred to as the “Red October” colorway) to establish itself on  a more mainstream model – possibly the Yeezy Boost 350 v2 or Yeezy 700, but there’s no better way to pair the audacity of the flooded hue with the Foam Runner Yeezys.

SOUTH PARK x ADIDAS CAMPUS 80's “TOWELIE”

adidas has been working with collaborators like Disney to bring Star Wars, Toy Story and other franchises to sneaker form for the past few years. Within the first four months of 2021, the German sportswear institution has revealed plans with The Simpsons and South Park, the latter lending the worrisome, but charming Towelie character for an adidas Campus 80s set to launch tomorrow, April 20th (420), in celebration of a beloved marijuana holiday.

When glancing at the collaborative pair from the sides, the “Chalk Purple/Footwear White”-covered proposition seems in-line with the two-tone adidas Originals styles to emerge in the last few weeks, but closer inspection reveals special detailing. For starters, the terrycloth-material that runs throughout the entire upper works in-tandem with the eye graphics embroidered onto the top of the tongue to nod to South Park’s genetically-engineered talking towel. The tongues’ undersides boast two of Towelie’s (not “Towlie”) catchphrases right above stash pockets big enough for nuggets of various kinds typically consumed on 04/20. Included keychains depict the sneaker’s inspiration in two states, which the eyes on the tongue also do when exposed to UV light.

4/20 is nearly here and adidas is more than ready to celebrate. Alongside the skunk-esque ZX 420, the Three Stripes is inviting South Park’s Towelie to spread the gospel of weed culture.

Rarely has there ever been a character so actively indulgent, using everything from marijuana to crystal meth. The anthropomorphic towel, which has made appearances throughout the TV series and subsequent video games, has toned it down a bit in recent years, however, as he’s presumed to only partake in Mary Jane and Mary Jane alone.

No better a guide for the mostly innocent adidas, Towelie is soon to transform from household essential to Campus 80, bringing along both his signature facial features and textures. Comparable to chenille at first glance, the towel-like material wraps most of the exterior, setting a baby blue base atop which the leather stripes and heel tab dress. Moreover, the tongue features his big, toony eyes, going from pure white to bloodshot depending on the lighting. Then, South Park branding meets the German sportswear label’s own at the insole.

Nike VP Resigns

Nike VP Resigns After Family Tie to Sneaker Reseller Uncovered.

Ann Hebert, a Nike employee of 25 years who most recently served as a VP overseeing its North America business, left the company on Monday, according to an internal email viewed by Complex.

“Ann Hebert, VP/GM, North America geography has decided to step down from Nike, effectively immediately,” the email reads. “We thank Ann for her more than 25 years with Nike and wish her well.”

Nike also put out a press release this afternoon publicly announcing the end of her tenure and confirmed the move in a statement to Complex.

“Ann Hebert made the decision to resign from Nike,” the brand said.

Hebert’s leaving Nike comes days after the publication of a Bloomberg piece focused on her son, a 19-year-old sneaker reseller named Joe. The piece mentions a credit card Joe used for his reselling business, West Coast Streetwear, that was registered in Ann’s name. The reseller insisted to the story’s author that his personal connection to a Nike exec not be written about in the piece and cut off communication after it was brought up.

Joe Hebert, reached via a third party, did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

Nike does not permit its employees to participate in sneaker reselling, and the practice of buying shoes at their retail price only to sell them at a higher price is still taboo to many collectors. A Nike spokesperson told Bloomberg that Ann had disclosed information about the business to her employer in 2018 and there was “no violation of company policy.”

The Bloomberg story sparked outrage online, where commenters questioned whether the younger Hebert was gaining unfair access to limited-edition sneakers with the help of his mother. Some brought up the six pairs of rare Nike Mags, which sell for over $12,000 each, that he said he’d randomly discovered in a storage unit in January 2020, speculating they were obtained through more nefarious means. One source claims that Joe would buy pairs in large quantities from Nike outlets using his mother’s discount and resell them later.

Ann Hebert’s purview at Nike included its SNKRS app, a destination for coveted product where shoes regularly sell out immediately, only to be resold on secondary markets. The brand spends a good amount of energy and money trying to protect the platform from bots that can help resellersbuy out stock faster than any human. Bloomberg’s piece on Joe Hebert’s business describes him using bots to compromise online launches, mentioning that he rang up $132,000 in one morning for a launch of Kanye West sneakers on the artist’s Yeezy Supply website. That same card, a corporate American Express, was registered in his mother’s name.

BYBRENDAN DUNNE

KERBY JEAN-RAYMOND x REEBOK VP CREATIVE DIRECTION

Reebok Names Kerby Jean-Raymond/Pyer Moss
Vice President of Creative Direction

Surface_155_Cover_KJR_Craig-Mcdean_00-2000x2719.jpg

The CFDA Award winner will also release in 2022 the first products of Reebok's Product With Purpose program.

Kerby Jean-Raymond is assuming greater responsibility at Reebok.

The New York City-based designer and founder of Pyer Moss has been named vice president, creative direction, for the sports brand. In this role, he will provide creative leadership and work closely with Reebok’s product, global marketing and development organizations to ensure consistency across all areas.

Jean-Raymond will also be at the forefront of the brand’s Product With Purpose program, which is part of its commitment to United Against Racism. The program will launch in 2021 and the first products by Jean-Raymond will release in 2022. In addition, he will serve on the Reebok senior leadership team and report to president Matt O’Toole. O’Toole confirmed that the Reebok by Pyer Moss collection will continue as planned.

“I am thrilled to be evolving my role at Reebok and joining the leadership team as the head of creative direction,” Jean-Raymond said in a statement. “I welcome this opportunity to help invigorate the brand with new ideas, while also focusing on instilling a sense of social purpose into our work.”

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Jean-Raymond expanded on the statement: “I started working with Reebok in 2017 after meeting Damion Presson [Reebok’s director of entertainment marketing]. I was brought in to support the launch of a shoe at the time called the ‘DMX Fusion.’ We made our own version called the Experiment 1 and were asked to make some apparel to support one of their retail partners at a mass market price point. I’m not really too good at following rules, so I didn’t pretend to try.

“Instead we made a series of collections we believed in, incorporated our collaboration into our runways and created content that spoke to what we were already doing at Pyer Moss. Campaign 1, Seven Mothers (Campaign 2) and a series of videos called ‘Imma Ball Anyway’ were some of my favorites. Many of these projects were a result of us seeing how far we could go before someone yelled ‘uncle.’

“No one did, and I was grateful.

“Today, that collaboration will evolve. Pyer Moss is not just a partner of Reebok, but I am now the creative director, globally. Or technically…vice president, creative direction. To my Reebok fam, there’s a lot of work to do. Can our mind-sets collectively evolve to serve the future? Are we inclusive enough? Are we bold enough? Are we challenging tradition enough? Are we ready to unlearn? It’s going to be difficult. I’m ready though.”

Reebok and Jean-Raymond have worked together for four years on the Reebok by Pyer Moss collection, a popular footwear line. Their work together led to Jean-Raymond winning Footwear News’ 2018 Collaboration of the Year Award and the 2019 FNAA Person of the Year Award. He took home the CFDA Award for Menswear Designer of the Year and Designer of the Year from Harlem Fashion Row this year.

Last year, he was named artistic director of Reebok Studies, a new division created to foster emerging talent, and this year launched with Kering, Your Friends in New York, a fashion, culture, wellness and philanthropy platform to foster the next generation of innovators.

“Kerby is a fashion visionary with a bold approach who has established himself as a leader and a passionate activist,” O’Toole said. “We are incredibly excited about the impact he will have on Reebok from a design and brand purpose perspective and for him to bring his unique voice and direction to the Reebok brand more broadly. This is certainly a big opportunity for both Reebok and for Kerby — he understands the value of our rich heritage and iconic silhouettes and how he can build on that and take Reebok in an exciting and evolved direction.”

Jean-Raymond had been transparent about the beginnings of the Reebok relationship. The designer was ready to step away from Pyer Moss, but stayed in order to partner with the sports brand, which helped the designer keep his brand. He said at the WWD CEO Summit in November 2019 that Presson said he could offer “at least 10 times the amount” what another brand was offering Jean-Raymond to join the Reebok team.

Jean-Raymond said he believes the future of fashion is experiential, which calls to question what his output for Reebok will be in this new role. This year, he launched a new mentorship platform, announced a film and directed two music videos. But he hasn’t forgotten about the product. The first in-house Pyer Moss sneaker, Sculpt, launches on Oct. 3, retailing for $595. The silhouette bears resemblance to the Reebok Experiment 4 Fury Trail by Pyer Moss with an exaggerated sole similar to the Pyer Moss x Reebok DMX Experiment 1 sneaker.

The first Reebok by Pyer Moss collection debuted at Spring Studios in February 2018 with the “American, Also” collection. Jean-Raymond would show two more Reebok by Pyer Moss collections under the “American, Also” moniker at Weeksville in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and Kings Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

They released more sneakers as well, the Daytona DMX Experiment, Mobius Experiment and the Fury Trail styles. He said in November 2019 that his footwear, in particular “sells out within the first four minutes.”

Last year, he established Reebok Studies, which he described as “a division where I can sign talent, give them collaboration deals, give them sponsorship deals so that they can have money to grow their companies.”

And this year, Jean-Raymond remained very busy, directing music videos for rappers Wale and Joey Bada$$, and also through philanthropic work, donating in March $50,000 to support minority and female-owned independent businesses impacted by COVID-19 through Your Friends in New York. He also asked for mail-in donations of masks and gloves and contributed $5,000 for supplies.

He also announced he will premiere a film, “American, Also,” chronicling his runway shows and the Black experience in America. The project that was filmed over two years was slated to premiere this year at drive-in theaters and to bring the community and New York City together and engage with fans, but the date and format have not been confirmed yet.

“It’s always been our mission to show the amount of thinking and laboring that goes behind putting together a collection — we’ve been slowing down the speed of how much we produce and improving the quality of what we produce throughout the years,” Jean-Raymond said in a statement announcing the film. “This film aims to show the love and care our entire company puts into every single moment we create and will show that we appreciate fashion as an art form and communication tool.”

By Obi Anyanwu on September 30, 2020