Month: July 2022

BEAMS and ASICS have a friendship as old as time, working together to produce sought-after collaborations such as the souvenir jacket GEL-LYTE III and the camo-covered GEL-Mai G-TX, and now the two have come together again on their wildest release to date: the Bespoke GEL-KAYANO 14 GORE-TEX.Originally launched in 2008, the GEL-KAYANO 14 marked the first time that someone other than its namesake designer Toshikazu Kayano had actually penned a Kayano style. Instead, it was designed by Hidenori Yamashita, who created the sneaker with the idea of a flash in mind.For this collaborative pair, BEAMS takes the sneaker’s retro running aesthetic and fits it out in synthetic leather. Here, a layer of GORE-TEX is applied to keep things waterproof, while mesh has been used to add detailing to the toe box, side panels and heel. While BEAMS branding is limited to just the insole, you don’t need much overt branding to know these are something completely unique. To make the pair stand out, BEAMS adds a set of clips finished with red webbing over the vamp, as well as popper studs on the upper and a yellowed sole to boot.On the topic of boots, the pair uses its popper studs to fasten down a mosquito net that sits on top of the uppers. Coupled with GORE-TEX, this shoe is set to be one that can tackle all kinds of conditions, which is enhanced thanks to the netted shroud’s drawcord fastening at the extended collar.The BEAMS x ASICS Bespoke GEL-KAYANO 14 GORE-TEX is set to arrive in October and will cost around $230 USD. Take a closer look at the intriguing collaboration above, and find out more online.In case you missed it, check out the Footpatrol x Mizuno Wave Rider 10 “Rust” collaboration.

German DIY chain HORNBACH and Frankfurt-based sneaker retailer 43einhalb (also known as “Heimat”) have crafted a supersized “SneakerPool” based on the adidas ZX 1000 sneakers. While the project resembles more like a sneaker jacuzzi, the creation is impressive nonetheless measuring 5.7 meters long, 202 meters high, and weighing in at 850 kilos.Bringing in Berlin-based studio Nelant van Exel, the Sneakerpool was built by hand using everyday materials such as flexible tubing, MDF, rope, chicken wires, and tires sourced from HORNBACH’s stores. HORNBACH states that the purpose behind the project was to “encourage people to be as creative as possible, develop their own DIY projects, and set themselves no limits.” Two years ago, the DIY store collaborated with Ai Wei Wei to create another impressionable body of work titled Safety Jackets Zipped the Other Way, which was meant to democratize art and play on the concept of the readymade.Bringing together the community, the giant sneakers were recently revealed at a launch event. Take a look at the creation process and end result above.Elsewhere, the adidas YEEZY SLIDE “Onyx,” “Bone” and “Glow Green” will be available next week.

Following a special-edition “M. Frank Rudy” iteration celebrating the creator of Nike Air cushioning, Nike now serves up another take on its signature Air Max 97 silhouette. Taking inspiration from the Koi fish, a symbol of love, harmony, and prosperity, the upcoming pairs are found in a clean two-tone white and gold colorway.Uppers are found in a mix of leather and mesh, with a wraparound suede mudguard and wavy 3M striped panels. Fish scale motifs are teased on the midfoot cutouts and tongue tabs while Air Max-branded nylon pull tabs are secured on the heels. Rounding out the design are lifelike Koi fish graphics printed on the insoles, full-length Air Bubble midsoles, and semitranslucent milky rubber outsoles.Take an official look at the Nike Air Max 97 “Koi” above and look for the pairs to arrive in the coming weeks at Nike’s website and select retailers.Elsewhere in footwear, Palladium taps Junya Watanabe MAN for 75th-Anniversary lace-up boots.