NBA all-star and fashionisto Dwayne Wade and brand partner Li Ning announce the release of their Essence 2 “Futuristic” sneaker, updating the shoe series with more unique design elements. Since 2012, Wade and Chinese Olympian Li Ning have collaborated on their co-owned apparel brand WOW – short for Way of Wade – for seasonal drops of merchandise and exclusive items. For Fall/Winter 2021, the latest WOW sneaker has been updated with durable CORDURA fabric, a mixed-material upper and rubber-grip traction outsole. The all-black colorway also features elastic pull-tab laces, a three-grid section midsole and a flexible high-collar. Light touches of grey graphic elements are peppered throughout the shoe, and the phrase “Make Your Own Way” appears on the midsole. Li’s eponymous Li-Ning athletic and footwear company has been a leader in the Asian market, with a goal set on providing Chinese athletes with a brand to wear while on the Olympic stage. That form of leadership and community values is what led Wade to consider partnering with Li; fast-forward 10 years, now the two are celebrating a decade of wins with the ninth iteration of their WOW shoe. The Essence 2 “Futuristic” sneaker is available to purchase on WOW’s website, and has offerings for both men and women. In other sneaker news, Takashi Murakami reveals his archival designs for his latest sneaker project.
