Author: Chris Mak

The up and coming Air Jordan 1 iteration transcended its purpose and ‘Defiant’ celebrates the music community who adopted it as its own—alternative rock. Featuring a DIY aesthetic, the red Swoosh treatment takes inspiration from a leather jacket’s stitching details and removable patches. Signature black and white leather on the upper and a contrasting yellow Swoosh salute to ’80s album colours and irreverent streetwear that defined alternative rock at the time.

This year sees the SB x AJI ‘Defiant Is’ pay homage to parallel cities in Jordan Brand and skateboarding history. ‘LA to Chicago’ brings together two cities which kicked off the origins of both modern-day skateboarding and greatness whilst tying together iconic references.

The Air Jordan 1 changed footwear forever—and the original ‘Black Toe’ colourway played an essential role in establishing the silhouette as a cultural icon.

A women’s-only release from 2019 revived the famous make-up but with a reversed look. This new release showcases parallel styling, but incorporates a mix of both satin and faux snakeskin. Predominantly a make up of leather upper, faux snake skin takes up the heel portion in black. Further black hits on the Swoosh, outsole laces and tongue tab. Like the 2019 release, satin occupies the tongue and lining to keep the timeless classic modernised.

Following on from the 380’s arrival and YEEZY’s toying with monochromatic and subtle browns and tan colour ways, the ‘Blue Oat’ arrives with these foundations very much intact, however the burst of vibrant blue across its upper breaks up those earthier tones adding another dimension that speaks back to that original 380’s name, the ‘Alien’.

What seems like the perfect silhouette for tonal colour ways, Kanye and adidas are back with their latest iteration of the famed 350 V2 silhouette.

Though a fresh new Colourway, its easy to see past models inspiring these latest earthy tones. The uppers re-engineered prime knit has been dressed in a combination of soft off whites with muddy, earth tones whilst the semi translucent midsole seems to follow suit from the ‘Static’ and ‘Cloud White’ with a burst of ice white. A subtle gum outsole finishes off the package complimenting the tones found within the upper.

The Air Jordan I Retro High has been a go-to silhouette for many years and the rise in demand is still strong as ever. Nike and Jordan Brand are yet to slow down in pumping new and old retros to consumers, and the latest release is a testament to that.

The latest colourway to land is in the form of a ‘Smoke Grey’ iteration. Featuring a two-toned colourblocking, this release is reminiscent to the brands sought after collaboration with Union LA. Similar to the 2018 releases, the midrange portion of the upper is dressed in Smoke grey along with a combination of suede and leather materials. The Swoosh is in a contrasting black along with the laces and outsole. The top region brands black and red along the collar with the wings done in leather, whilst the Wings logo is displayed in black. To cap it all off, the tongue tab is yet another contrasting element with red and black.

The YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 Antlia RF features an upper composed of two-toned re-engineered Primeknit with reflective threading. The post-dyed monofilament side stripe is woven into the upper. Reflective threads are woven into the laces. The midsole utilizes adidas’ innovative BOOST™ technology

Nike return to classic team colours for 2020 on a silhouette that has reigned supreme since 1985. Ever since this introduction with the ‘Be True To Your School’ pack, that saw top Nike sponsored universities receiving their own Colourway, the Nike Dunk has worked its way to icon status. Now for Summer 2020, Nike return to some of these most iconic colour ways.

Now, we return to The University of Virginia Cavaliers’ navy and orange colour scheme, dubbed ‘Champ Colours’ due to winning the NCAA Championship in 2019.

The last in the long lasting relationship between adidas and Kanye Wests YEEZY line, the QNTM has become one of the high anticipated launches between the pairing.

Going more down the styling root of the 380 and latest 700 v3, the QNTM ‘Barium’ features a layered silhouette comprised of a jacquard underlay, whilst like that 700 v3, a RPU cafe sits on top, wrapping its self around the upper for structure and durability.

Kanye West and adidas Originals’ collaboration continues with the release of the adidas Originals YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘Citrin’.