You can walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, but if you buy your own pair of ospop Tian Lang Trainers you’ve got the chance to go much farther than that. The Shanghai-based shoe brand is offering you the travel opportunity of a lifetime. Starting today and running through January 15th, each person who purchases a pair of Tian Lang Trainers is automatically entered into ospop’s Road Less Traveled China Sweepstakes. The grand prize winner along with one friend will be whisked away to Shanghai, China where you’ll witness a modern marvel of urban planning and industry. You’ll enjoy the thrill of riding the world’s fastest train on the way to staying in the world’s highest hotel. It won’t be all hi-speed and high rises, because after that, the winners will be on their way to the rural Henan Province to tour ospop’s factory and meet some of the students helped by the company’s education initiative. Your final stop on your excellent five-day Chinese adventure would make a Wu Tang member jealous, as you visit the historic Shaolin temple where kung fu was invented. All this could be yours and you don’t even have to win the Showcase Showdown. All you need is to buy a pair of sneakers.
Calling all fans of choice kicks, if you currently have no reason to feel “pumped” up, maybe you should revisit the classic Reebok sneakers. The brand that pitted Dan and Dave against each other in the race for Olympic glory so many years ago is finally getting around to erecting their very first pop up store. Beginning November 15th, the hot spot for Reebok apparel will be the Reebok Flash store at 169 Bowery in Manhattan. In addition to some sweet and fashionable threads, each successive week will bring the release of a new limited edition sneaker available for that week only, the first of which will be a hot pair of Insta Pump Fury. The store will be around for one month — that means four new kinds of kicks. So do yourself a favor, get down there as soon as humanly possible starting this Saturday, because the shoes you want are sure to be gone in a flash.
The Anakin Skywalker of hip-hop, Lupe Fiasco has remained steadfast in his position as one of the most mature artists in the game. Rather than signing on the dotted line for every endorsement that comes along (excuse him for the Reebok campaign), Lupe is making sound choices when it comes to who he is teaming up with. Recently, he joined forces with Dr. Romanelli to design a pair of flashy patent leather Chuck Taylors as part of the Converse PRODUCT (RED) line. I have to give credit to Converse for promoting the cause and continuing to churning out stunners with industry heavyweights such as Lupe and Romanelli.
It’s amazing how advanced, yet accessible, high quality models and illustration have become. If you’re a sneakerhead, or just plain appreciate artistic talent, check out Jim Kim’s portfolio, titled “Sneaker Fiend: A Tribute To Classic Nike Design,” on Behance. This talented artist showcases a series of completely rendered Nike designs with a clear nod to fan favorites such as the Air Max 90’s and a couple of Jordans, complete with the signature Jumpman. At first glance, one might mistake them for real sneakers in an elaborately staged for a photo shoot. The textures, right down to the speckled leather and the reflective elements really bring this series home. Some of our favorites after the jump.
You’re getting a sneak preview at just a small slice of part deux of Nike Sportswear’s winter collection, the first of which they launched on the opening day of the Olympics in August. It continues to feature the eight iconic Nike shoes (Cortez, Air Max, Dunk) and apparel (Windrunner, AW77 Hoody) but in new, snazzy colorways and prints like camouflage and classic plaid. The line debuts Nov. 6 everywhere, and no doubt you’ll be having a few items to put on your Christmas list. To see the entire line, stay tuned to the brand’s site for more.
Footwear designer Seishi Tanka hand draws every single sneaker silhouette of the TST line– and hand finishes each of them after production. The results are an organic, one of a kind sneakers with suede, leathers, canvas and other high quality “sneaker ingredients” in the mix. Our friends at Oki-ni just dropped a couple pieces from the new line including those shown above. Im partial to the TST Split Toe Sneaker show on the far left. TST Footwear is available at Okn-ni but I doubt they’ll last.
My favorite neighborhood sneaker dealers at ALIFE have just released another collaboration with Barney’s New York– a pair of classic high’s called The Orange Pack. Full grain perforated leather with orange accents– crisp, clean, and ready for the courts, sidewalks, and well, everywhere else. They’ll be available (in limited quantities I would guess) at select Barney’s locations and if you’re not in the city, through their online store.
A couple of years ago, we told you about the first fair trade sneaker, a simple affair in the Adidas Samba vein. Three years later, France’s Veja has seven full sized collections, including a line for kids and even little tiny baby sneakers. The kicks have gotten undeniably hotter and branched out into a few different incarnations. Our favorite is the mid-top Grid in Cyprus.
I wear (almost) exclusively collaboration or quickstrike sneakers, so believe me when I say nobody does it better than Atmos. Just the other night, I was showing a friend all the small details that they put in their kicks. Continuing this trend of innovation and quality, Atmos has teamed up with (the other) beloved striped shoemaker K-Swiss for a six part collection. The featured shoes include the Classic Lo’s (black & white), Classic Luxury Edition Boot Jewel, Si-18 Bristel High, and Si-18 Rannell. The sneakers are unmistakeably K-Swiss but with twists like D-ring lacing, suede, gold accents, and even crystals in the Luxury Edition boots. Limited to just 300 pairs globally, the collection is dropping September 18 at Atmos Harlem as well as Saks Fifth Avenue with Atmos Toyko debuting on September 28th. Mark your calendars!
Many will argue that radio, information, and life will be increasingly accessible to all of us via Wi-Fi, but we’ll always need a signal. Montreal-based designer Stefan Dukaczewski helps us envision the day when our clothing helps lead the way. His Wi-Fi sneakers light up to indicate signal strength whenever you walk near a zone.
Each week, JoshSpear.com explores the latest projects by top creative professionals in the Behance Network and highlights a few that are pushing the edge of creative industry. Josh Spear also serves as an Advisor and Guest Curator for the Behance Network.
Perhaps we owe it to the age of connectivity or a new generation that are working hard to get the world to notice, but we are starting to hear about obscure fashion and design brands from China. Companies like Warrior have enjoyed years of success in China with relatively no exposure outside of the country. A brand revival project titled Project Re:born is hoping to change all that. The current focus of the project is an old brand called Huili, and the limited edition collection includes a pair of kicks sporting a Chinese colorway, a toy figurine, coffee-table book and a retro blue tracksuit. All the pieces look great and capitalize on the current hot trends. We’re excited to see what else they have in store!
It was a tough decision … so many sweet rides to choose from. So we deferred to our benefactor: Puma USA. We realize there were a few of you who brought us wooden bikes, but Klee got there first by finding this uniquely intricate and amazing cycle. Our man over at the Puma says, “I would have taken a wood-burning pen and drawn some cool #@&$ on it.” Agreed. Congrats Klee, you’re going to be one bad-ass riding through town on this new bike.
The Nat 2 Shoe that’s buzzing around the blogosphere has me in stitches today. It’s reminiscent of those old school REI pants that zip off into shorts. The ones I had to have to go camping as a kid. More than 20 perplexing styles are for sale by this company– and all I can think to myself is– seriously? What happened to some good old fashioned flip flops and chucks in your bag? And something about the glitzy zipper around the sandal has my toes curling up to avoid scrapes and cuts. But the concept looks fun, almost like an art piece. What do you think, readers?
Nike teams up with Dutch record label Appletree Records and a sneaker store in Amsterdam to bring us a triad of dope. In a brand new incarnation of the Pop-Up Store, the big brand features interpretations of some of their sneakerhead staples, including the Airmax, Dunks and of course, the almighty Air Force One. While the limited edition gear — including an incarnation of AW77 hoodie — can only be seen at a handful of stores in Europe (including project partner 290 Square Meters), anyone not in the vicinity can get a taste via the AW77 Loopwheeler inspired music project Peche Noire, comprised of Beau Love, Louis Bordeaux, Sotu the Traveller and engineer Elio Debets; fellas from Amsterdam’s Appletree Records. Check out the video.
My pal Jeff Staple is becoming a legend, if he isn’t one already. He’s an innovator, and really should need no introduction. He’s been shaking up the sneaker world with global collaborations, innovations and sick design for a long time. His legendary Nike Pigeon Dunks are still floating around eBay with $3000 price tags years later– and they caused riots around the world. He just (proudly) announced his collaboration with New Balance, the Pigeon 575 shown here– and we’re very excited for him. This time around there are 650 available globally. Interested in what else he has been up to and what the Pigeon means (other than crap on your sidewalk)? His Interview with Sneaker Freaker is fantastic, check it out.
He says “remember it’s only a sneaker.” We say keep calm and carry on. More pictures after the jump.
Calling all fans of choice kicks, if you currently have no reason to feel “pumped” up, maybe you should revisit the classic 
It’s amazing how advanced, yet accessible, high quality models and illustration have become. If you’re a sneakerhead, or just plain appreciate artistic talent, check out Jim Kim’s portfolio, titled 
A couple of years ago, we told you about the first 
Many will argue that radio, information, and life will be increasingly accessible to all of us via Wi-Fi, but we’ll always need a signal. Montreal-based designer 
Perhaps we owe it to the age of connectivity or a new generation that are working hard to get the world to notice, but we are starting to hear about obscure fashion and design brands from China. Companies like 
Congratulations Klee.
