Month: July 2023

It’s been quite an offseason for NBA guard Austin Reaves as he inked a four-year $56 million USD contract to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers along with a sneaker deal with Chinese imprint Rigorer that’s worth seven figures. And ahead of the 2023-2024 season, he’s blessing his fans with the debut of his first signature titled the Rigorer AR1, and its debut “Ice Cream” colorway has been revealed. “From growing up in Arkansas and being undrafted to now having my own signature shoe, this is a surreal moment for me,” said Austin Reaves. “Working closely with the design team, the AR1 is all about maximizing performance and efficiency on the court. The AR1 not only matches my all-around game but is also adaptable to all players.”The kicks pay homage to Reaves’ favorite summer treat. The low-cut, court-ready kicks come equipped with a cocoon-inspired webbed upper that predominantly treated in white but features multi-colored graphics that are meant to represent melting ice cream. Midsoles are loaded up with ShowTime Tech Foam for premium comfort and responsiveness. The AR1’s tongue features a never-before-seen bubble lacing system that eliminates lace bite for players.The AR1 “Ice Cream” drops at 12pm EDT August 11, 2023 exclusively via Kicks Crew and Rigorer for $100 USD. Only 2,000 pairs have been produced. Fans canalso sign up on the KICKS CREW AR1 event page for early access and a chance to win a free pair.In other news, on-foot images of the TIGHTBOOTH x Nike SB Dunk Low have surfaced.

British footwear label Duke + Dexter uses its collaborative projects as a chance to experiment more than usual. The London-based imprint uses its co-signs wisely, though, with the brand connecting with only the best of emerging talent. From Soho Yacht Club to Percival, Archie Hewlett’s imprint consistently finds a way to remain at the forefront of UK popularity and D+D is continuing to work in the same vein as it presents its latest collaboration with one of London’s hottest artists, Soldier.Having worked with various British labels in the past — such as rising UK brand, Hillside — Soldier consistently keeps his fingers in the world of fashion while presenting immersive exhibitions around London’s cultural hotspots. Now, his all-new collaboration with Duke + Dexter sees one of his vibrant cotton canvas designs replace the vamp of D+D’s Wilde Penny Loafer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DUKE + DEXTER (@dukedexter)The handmade design has been equipped with a custom rubberized crepe sole, while its full leather lining is complemented with exposed stitched detailing in a crisp white hue. Meanwhile, Soilder’s canvas creation sits on the smooth upper and is overlapped by the silhouette’s customary strap. Rounding off the collaboration, Solider x D+D branding can be spotted on the white insole.You can check out the new Soldier x Duke + Dexter collaboration above and it will be available to shop via the official Duke + Dexter website from July 27.In other footwear news, take a look at the new release from Balenciaga.

Balenciaga has unveiled a mud-free pair of its blue 3XL, a pair that was first seen during its Summer 23 “The Mud Show,” where models stomped around in a mud-covered environment.While the muddied 3XL was thought to simply be the result of the show, the house would release a mud-covered pair a few months after, in early April. The pair featured what appeared to be dry mud all around the outer, tattered laces and an upper with a ruggedly worn aesthetic.The latest offering of the 3XL sees the same runway blue released, this time without the mud and distressed laces. Although, the silhouette still gives off a worn look with scratches and marks found around the upper and midsole.Leather free, the pair is primarily constructed using mesh and polyurethane. Details found throughout include “Balenciaga” branding at the toe and heel, as well as embossed size indicators on the upper and heel, in addition to reflective “3XL” branding on the tongue.The pair is available for preorder now on Balenciaga’s official site and retails for roughly $60 USD less than its mud-covered counterpart, bringing the total to $1,090 USD.In other footwear news, Balenciaga pierces its distressed Paris sneaker.