Author: Jake Archer
For our next instalment of the Concept to Reality series, we focus our attention to Trippin. What started out as a Facebook group quickly rose to become an independent platform hub that connects all things from travel, culture and creativity.
Using a range of mediums from audio, film and written word, Trippins aim is to promote travel with a purpose and think about that impact it can have on the environment. We sit down with Sam, one of the founders of Trippin to shed some more light on this platform.
Head over to our Instagram to see how you could win a £200 gift card to show at our Footpatrol London store.
Footpatrol: Hey Sam, how are you? Thank you for taking the time to talk to us today! We have worked together in the past (be it a long time ago) and know all about you but for our audience can you give them a little insight into yourself and what it is you do?
Sam: I’m one of the founders of Trippin. We are an independent platform that connects travel, culture and creativity like never before.
FP: How did you go about starting Trippin? And what difficulties did you have at the beginning?
S: It all started because we were frustrated with the fact there wasn’t a place to find travel recommendations that we actually trusted. We felt all the other platforms weren’t really speaking to us and the type of travel we do.
So, we created a Facebook group for friends to share info with each other and that quickly grew into an engaged community full of like minded people across the world. That’s when we realised we had something special and started taking Trippin seriously.
As for difficulties, anyone starting their own business will know how much of a rollercoaster it is. Too many challenges along the way to just focus on one.
FP: What were you doing prior? Was it a creative job? Freelance? Or something completely different?
S: I was working at adidas for almost 4 years before Trippin. A large portion of that time was based at their HQ in Germany doing Global Brand Communications.
FP: What we would like to know is how you get from concept to reality. Would you be able to choose ONE project that you have worked on and summarise into 5 steps the process from the client’s initial email to what the consumer sees?
1 – The first thing we discuss is whether this project is right for Trippin. We’re a values driven business and have had to turn down more projects than we’ve accepted because we aren’t willing to make sacrifices for commercial gain. If we decide its a go-er then the discussion will quickly move onto what we can bring the table thats truly progressive and will move the needle.
2 – We then take those initial ideas and collaborate with our global community to validate them and uncover powerful insights – which in turn we translate into a tangible, actionable strategy. We’ll ensure our partner (not “client”) is across this the whole way to make sure all stakeholders are aligned and have the same vision. This transparency builds trust and allows us to focus on the creative.
3 – We’ll be moving on pre-production alongside finalising some of the creative decisions. This is where our producers work their magic of putting all the pieces in place and making shit happen. Being highly communicative and transparent with the partner on what’s achievable within the budget and timelines is key here.
4 – On every campaign we focus as much energy on the talent that’s in front of the lens as the talent behind. To ensure true authenticity, we always question whose story it is to tell and make sure our crew is reflective of that. It’s our mission to create a space for positive dialogue and diverse storytelling. Once the crew is in place and all the finer details are locked then we move into the actual production and let the magic happen.
5 – Focus is then shifted to the finer details in post. We build out the rollout plan to maximise impact and deliver assets against that. Consistency yet diversity across every touch point here is key to spark meaningful conversations and leave lasting impressions. We harness the power of our community to amplify the reach and measure changes in awareness, sentiment and behaviour.
FP: Would you have any advice that you could share with our readers?
S: There are always two ways to say the same thing.
FP: How you are coping with the current lockdown. Is there anything particular that’s keeping you going?
S: Music is and always will be my coping mechanism. Just got a set of decks in the house so I’ve been having a lot of fun on them & escaping from my lockdown reality.
FP: And finally as it was trainers that brought all us together originally – we would like you to kickstart a little competition for our readers.
Could you take us through your top five essential travel shoes? What do you never travel without and why?
1 – One Stars for every occasion
2 – adi’s triple black response hoverturf to quietly stunt
3 – OG TNs for something lil louder
4 – Air Max 2090s if weathers heating up
5 – Clark Wallabees to flip it up
Thank you, Stay safe!
#TEAMFP
One of the original colourways to drop back in 1991, the Air Jordan V Grape became a cult classic in pop culture due to Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel Air sitcom. Fast forward to present times, the Air Jordan V Grape iteration is seen as the epitome of the 90’s through the combination of Grape and Aqua colours.
Over the years, collectors and sneaker aficionados have seen the Grape V’s return as well as a Black version dubbed ‘Black Grape’. Now in SS20 for its 30th anniversary, Nike and Jordan Brand are back with yet another spin on the fan favourite.
The latest form dubbed the ‘Alternate Grape’ takes a more bold approach with an upper primarily constructed of suede in Grape Ice. With clear breathable netting on the side and along the throat, the classic bulky tongue features 3M with the Jumpman in New Emerald. Further aqua hues are displayed on the shark teeth along the midsole and lace toggles. To tone down the bold colours, black is used on the lining, midsole and laces while the outsole gets an icy treatment.
To enter the ONLINE raffle (UK APPLICANTS ONLY) CLICK HERE!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above form, this WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
Online raffle winners will receive a special code in which they’ll have a limited time to purchase their raffle win via a unique link. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
Last year, adidas Consortium entered the outdoors with a gardening-inspired capsule collection dubbed ’The Gardening Club;. Taking a tongue-in-cheek look at lawn-based activities, each piece has been named after a different type of gardening product, including this Response Hoverturf. Ahead of Spring 20, adidas released a new set of colourways focusing on a more darker hue.
During Summer 20, they return again with a new colourway but this time just on the Response Hoverturf silhouette. Built for all terrain, both pairs boast a robust mesh base and synthetic overlays on the uppers. With one in a combination of black and grey whilst the other with white and black, both receive a bright hit of shock yellow. The underfoot features shock-absorbing adiPRENE tech in the heel and forefoot cushions your every step. In true outdoors style, a robust rubber outsole provides you with trusty traction on a range of surfaces.
The adidas Consortium Response Hoverturf is available now! Shop here!
Rucker Park is seen as the mecca of street basketball, birthing a host of talented players that would eventually go onto play professionally in the NBA. Located in Harlem, players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Rafer Alston – whom were New York locals, would ply their trade in their early days to compete in the Rucker Tournament. During the tournament, players would feature crossover dribbles, extravagant slam dunks and bravado to excite the crowd.
Nike have created an Air Force 1 Low to pay homage to a legendary monument in both basketball and to New York. The classic silhouette would be fitting to Harlem specifically, due to their use of the term ‘Uptowns’ to name the model.
The Air Force 1 Low displays mainly a white upper in synthetic leather material, whilst the Swoosh features a tumbled leather. With an exaggerated mesh tongue, the use of orange stitching is used around the panels, midsole and Swoosh. The lining and outsole also take on orange hues. To complete the homage to the historic facility, enamel basketball deubres take over the standard feature and Rucker Parks zip code operates on the heel.
The Nike Air Force 1 ‘Rucker Pack’ is available online now! Shop here!
Continuing our Discussions series, this week we look towards a brand that’s steeped in history, Converse. For this, we sit down with Matt Sleep who is the Global Footwear and Apparel Design Director for Converse’s special projects and collaborations.
With an extensive range of brands continuously wanting to collaborate with Converse, we discuss what it’s like to receive that first sample of a product, to managing all these collaborations and most importantly, just how a project goes from conversation to a final product.
Footpatrol: Hey Matt, great to have you talking to us today! To begin would you be able to give the readers an insight into who you are and a bit of your backstory before working with Converse?
Matt Sleep: Hi there! I’m Matt Sleep, Global Footwear & Apparel Design Director for Special Projects & collaborations here at Converse in Boston, MA.I’ve been with Converse & in Boston coming up on 12 years now, but prior to that I had spent about 4 years living in Nürnberg, Germany working in Colour & Graphic Design for Footwear at Adidas Originals. I’m from the suburbs of London originally and have always been passionate about art & design as well as sneaker & clothing culture. Growing up with close access to everything thatthe city of London has to offer really provided me the opportunity from an early age to get involved in the heart of the culture that I am now very fortunate to work within.
FP: You have been working in the footwear industry for almost 16 years, with 12 of them being at Converse, which is quite a long time! In those 12 years you must have seen so many trends, technologies etc come and go in the market! How was that journey for you to where you are today and how have things changed over time?
MS: I mean so much has happened in the last 12 months let alone the last 16 years- this is the crazy but exciting thing about where we stand today!The journey has been very fun and filled with a lot of learnings. I have been very fortunate tohave worked with and around some of the best people this industry has known and for that I am immensely grateful and try not to take lightly.The way product and in particular sneakers have evolved over this time is amazing as well, not only from the aspect of innovation and technology but also in terms of what people look to for style choices.I’m also very pleased that sustainability has finally become a core topic of most Brand’s conversations and actions now as well, as not only is this critical to all of our futures, but it also provides exciting design challenges for us and the next generation of designers to cometo tackle.
FP: Being originally from London and an avid fan of Crook Tongues back in the day! What was it like travelling into soho, being active on the forums, seeing all this product for the first time! How did this help fuel your interest into sneakers?
MS: It was fundamental to say the least. If it wasn’t for the community that Crooked Tongues created I likely wouldn’t be doing what I am today and certainly wouldn’t have some of the friends that I am lucky enough to know now! The culture around sneakers and ‘Streetwear’ then wasn’t what it is today. Being into and obsessing these types of products was far from what most people knew (or were into) and as such one looked for any tangible way of connecting with like-minded people. CT helped be the hub/conduit for this, for me and many others. Through this very international community I was exposed to a multitude of other sneakers, experiences, art influences- you name it- and this drove my natural curiosity as to whether itwould be possible for me to be able to influence the creation of any of these things as a profession.
FP: Fast forward to today and your role at Converse, working on the special projects, the collaborations, the artist partnerships. These are the shoes that often send people crazy, the type of product you would be getting excited over all those years ago. Do you still get the same feeling now when you see that first sample or the first marketing images come in?
MS: Honestly, yes AND no! What I mean by this, is that of course I still get that rush of excitement and adrenaline when I see a first sample but it is a different type of excitement that I feel now then when I first started- I think this comes with experience, maturation and an extra pinch of patience or at least I hope that it does! At the beginning of my career, I would build myself up with excitement and honestly tension, as I anticipated what the sample would come back looking like. When it came back looking great, there’s no better feeling, but conversely when it comes back not looking close to the vision, that can be a bit of a knock to the confidence- aside from the mood.Over the years, I’ve learnt to derive more of my excitement & enjoyment from the ENTIRE sampling process- looking at it more like a journey to reach ‘perfection’ rather than expecting it straight out of the gate. I think also as a whole a project feels more ‘fulfilling’ when you have had to take that journeyto get there.
FP: Over the past few years the roster of partners and collaborators for Converse has been so strong, how do you manage working on simultaneous products? For example the introduction of a new silhouette with the GOLF le FLEUR* Gianno to the rubberized construction of the AMBUSH Chuck 70.
MS: Very simple- by having an amazing team to work alongside!It’s always a challenge to strike the right balance, especially as there’s always lots of equallyamazing projects to be working on. I won’t lie also, that it does require a certain type of ‘flexibility’ in one’s mindset as well as creative approach to be able to handle jumping between different types of creative projects, while executing to a high standard always.That’s why I must shout out my team as they are experts in doing this and without us all pulling together as one family, none of this would be even close to possible!
FP: And for the collaboration itself, can you share a bit of insight into who the process goes from initial conversation with a collaborator through to the end product?
MS: Really this is all based on high levels of communication and starts by getting to know the people you are working with!Every project starts out from a place of mutual respect. For a partnership to work, you must build off a strong foundation and this is a great place to start from.Once we kick off a project we always want to know what ideas a partner has. We’re working with that partner for a reason- we like & respect what they do- so if we didn’t listen to how they want to tell their story with Converse then there isn’t really much point in working together in the first place!From this point we ideally like to have the partner visit our HQ in Boston so we can talk themthrough the creation process, show them our executional and material capabilities as well astaking them to our Archive, so they can see the context of where we have come from. Hopefully (and quite often) the combination of these experiences help drive new or evolved ideas as well as being moments where we can get to know each other better.This of course isn’t always possible with people’s schedules (or in a pandemic) so we try to do our best in digital communications when in-person is simply just not possible.From here, we go back and forth and finesse the designs until the partner is happy and from there myself and the team translate the designs to techpacks that we use to communicate our creative intent to our development & manufacturing partners.We then go through a sampling process, where we again work continually with the partner tohelp finesse the design until we can get it confirmed for production.
FP: Most recently we have seen the return of the Converse Pro Leather, a shoe with so much history! How was the decision made to bring this back from the archives and can we expect to see the return of any more silhouettes in the coming months?
MS: The Pro Leather is an icon of the Converse portfolio, having been worn by many revered athletes such as Julius ‘DR.J’ Erving and for a hot second Michael Jordan. When you have a silhouette that has been so beloved, it’s usually an easy call to decide to bring it back for future generations to re-discover as well as hopefully enjoy! Unsurprisingly with a history as long and as rich as ours, the Pro Leather isn’t the only gem that we have waiting in our archive. The Brand will always look for key moments where we can re-introduce one of these gems tothe current market and in doing so help to educate a little about our history as well as make improvements to the way that shoe is now being made. Keep your eyes peeled as there will be more to come!
FP: The Renew programme is an amazing initiative from Converse and in the last few weeks have seen the launch of the partnership with Carhartt. For those that are not aware can you share a little more about Renew and is it something we are going to see more collaborative partners get involved with?
MS: Renew essentially stands as a key pillar for us in our continual goal to improve upon the sustainability of our manufacturing process and materialisation in our product. We continue to strive to create products that have a lower impact on our environment as well as, of course, looking and feeling good on your feet or body. The Carhartt W.I.P Chuck 70 was our first project with a collaborative partner where the textile we used for the exterior build of the shoe was all upcycled from old Carhartt garments that otherwise may have become waste. Not only does this product help create a positive impact but it stays true to the Look & feel of the Carhartt W.I.P brand as well as looking great on feet. We hope that in the future we can continue to create such projects but as for what’s next, I’m afraid that i’m not allowed to tell you right now!
FP: To close out the conversation today, what would you say to young Matt browsing Crooked Tongues with a passion for sneakers and design. How would you keep him and all other young creatives who are working towards a career within the footwear industry?
MS: To anyone young or old, I would say pursue your passion! I never thought it would be possible to be on ‘the other side of the sneaker’, shall we say. To go from obsessing and collecting them to being responsible for creating them is still a bit crazy to me, but with all the resources that are now available in the world, the dream is a lot more of a tangible reality.What I will say is it’s important to do your best to do something that you truly love in life. It’snot always possible and certainly not easy, which means you have to work hard and seize every opportunity possible.If you do this then one’s potential can be limitless.
FP: And given its trainers that brought us all together originally and we are all spending a lot of time indoors lately. We would like to know what your go to is for the below:
Working out – Nike Pegasus Turbo
Casual every day – Chuck 70 of course!
Impressing someone –It’s still likely a Chuck 70!
Staying at home –NIke Benassi & Visvim Christo
FP: Thank you for your time today Matt!.
Do you have any final words for the readers?
MS: Thank you also! I hope everyone reading is staying safe & well!
Stay safe,
#TEAMFP
Sitting down for our latest discussion, we talk to Jason Faustino who for the last year and a half has worked as marketing manager of at Saucony’s Original brand.
Having originally co-founded the iconic Extra Butter store in New York, we managed to catch up with Jason about this time in his life and how it’s led him to where he is today. From designing Saucony’s collaborations with Extra Butter to what they have to offer in the coming years. Jason gives a great insight into this historical brand.
Footpatrol: Hey Jason, hope you are keeping well during these times! For our reader please can you introduce yourself and what you do over at Saucony?
Jason: I’m Jason Faustino, I’ve been at Saucony for a year and a half as the Marketing Manager for Originals at HQ in Massachusetts. We’ve got a pretty lean team, and I’m lucky to have been able to support the team on product and overall Originals brand strategy.
FP: Prior to joining the team at Saucony you were one of the co-founders for iconic New York store Extra Butter.
Can you tell us a little about your time there and how it led to where you are today? Did you work on the colourways and themes for some of the Extra Butter x Saucony collaborations?
JF: My experience in starting that company definitely prepared me for my time now at Saucony and we had a lot of success with the brand during my time. I actually began working in footwear through a mom & pop store, where I met a Saucony sales rep – Eddie Joyce, who was my first real intro to the brand outside of knowing a style or two. He put me in my first running shoe which was the Saucony Pro Grid Triumph 4 in gold. And, I got my first taste of the role of a buyer placing orders with the brand. As a former b-boy I remember being so excited being able place orders for the Saucony Courageous in a special version by legendary breakdance crew – The Floorlords.
I did concept and ideation on all of the EB x Saucony collabs, including another pack that may or may not be on the way in the future. I’m often asked which my favorite is and from a wear standpoint it’s the Shadow Master based on astronaut ice cream which was ⅓ of the “Space Race” pack. But from a conceptual standpoint, I’m most proud of the “For The People” project. Always maintaining a close relationship with customers I thought it’d be cool to bring them as close to the collaboration process as I could, allowing them to vote for and be in on every aspect of the project from reviewing samples and making changes on color and materials. I feel it was in the beginning stages of crowdsourced design, and I’ve always been thankful to Saucony for letting me run with that concept.
FP: Saucony is a brand that’s been around for well over 100 years and i feel people still have trouble with the pronunciation to this day. Please can you elaborate how the brand got its name and how it’s evident within the logo?
JF: Explaining this always gets the best reactions from “a-ha” moments to leaving people in utter disbelief that they’ve been saying it wrong their whole life. The name is derived from the Saucony river in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Pronounced “sock-a-knee” as the brand had on various ads and even boxes over the years to emphasize it’s correct pronunciation, the name is derived from the Native American word “saconk” – where 2 rivers run together, a concept that served as the inspiration for our recent Courageous Moc collaboration with Lapstone & Hammer. The logo, and all of it’s versions you’ve seen on the side of the shoe represents the river, with the 3 dots acting as 3 boulders in the middle of the stream. You asked me during a great time considering we just did a deep dive into a re-branding of sorts, and have recently unveiled a new logo, that focuses in on those 3 boulders, while still keeping the curvy “S” looking river logo as well.
FP: In its early years, Saucony were pioneers in running shoes, a key area of the business still to this day! But it wasn’t until the 1980’s and the arrival of the Originals Era where things really ramped up. Can you shed a little more insight into Saucony Originals during its early years?
JF: I’m not entirely sure how “Originals” came about, but if I had to guess it’s because runners were still choosing to run in the older models. Even today, our brand can put out the best running shoe on the market, full of amazing technical specs and modern advancements, and still you’ll find casual runners who prefer to delve into the archives and run with one of our past silhouettes. I think it speaks to the strength of the brand’s design language through the years, but also the craftsmanship. There’s no such thing as an uncomfortable pair of Saucony’s so while technology has changed over the years, the comfort and fit has always remained. I think that gave good reason to retro some fan favorites and create the category of “Originals”, transitioning functional athletic to fashion style with the most popular style leading the charge for the brand in the 1981 Saucony Jazz.
FP: Originals with its lifestyle approach and limited collaborations is what our consumers have known and loved over the years! For the consumers reading can you shed a little more light into how a collaboration can come to light and what its like working on the process?
JF: I’m happy to share because this somehow still remains somewhat of a mystery to footwear enthusiasts. It’s almost always based on relationships. Even if you don’t have an existing relationship with the brand, it’s how you go about developing one and from there maintaining it, being able to show a true enthusiasm for the brand, as well as having something to offer on your side that attracts the brand to working with you in a more meaningful way.
I can say that the process has tweaked a bit just recently.. As of last week, Eric Smolin (Originals Product Line Manager) and I declared that we won’t be taking in any more collaborations or projects unless they have a do-good component, give back, or spread awareness for a worthy cause. Our brand platform is “Run For Good”, it has a few different ways it can be looked at and interpreted, but if we extract the literal aspect of the “for good” piece, we want our projects to do just that and be a beacon of goodness, rather than just an opportunistic moment of combining logos and manufacturing hype. There is enough hype in our industry and I’m not knocking it because we love that energy, but we need to do our part in doing more good for our world and our people, so it starts with us.
FP: Saucony Collaborations i feel are known for telling a story or displaying a strong theme via the shoe itself, through the marketing campaign even down to the special packaging and store installations. Why is this all round experience so key to a project launch?
I always felt that love is fleeting in regards to projects without a story. Strength of design certainly means a lot, as well as what a brand stands for, but having a story to be told through the shoe’s design itself, it’s packaging, or the events and marketing attached – that connects the emotions. You don’t forget emotions – especially when connected to meaningful stories or even fun moments and reasons to celebrate in general. The highest level of design and marketing can achieve that energy and vibe communication without needing to spell it out.
Models like the Shadow 5000, 6000 & the Grid 8000 for example have been key to these collaborations over the years. But in the last year or so we have started to see more archival models return with partner collaborations and inline launches with the likes of the Grid Web and Azura 2000 most recently.
FP: How have you decided on what to bring back and how has the process been in bringing them back to market?
Eric and Josh Fraser (Originals Designer) deserve all the credit for the 5 archival styles that have been brought back over the past year – Azura, Jazz 4000, Aya, Grid Azura 2000, and the Grid Web. The process is a long one, the brand hasn’t kept original molds for all the shoes in it’s archive, so each silhouette had to be brought back from scratch. It starts with obtaining an original pair, from there it’s working on so many levels with our expert team of designers and product developers in conjunction with our factories to bring the shoes back to life close to it’s original, but still meeting today’s brand standards. The decision to expand the line with those 5 bringbacks was one of the major reasons for my interest in working at Saucony. I’ve always felt that Saucony’s archive is a full arsenal of bangers, and the decision to start bringing back models to team up with it’s established classics was the key to diversifying our consumer and taking the brand to new heights..
FP: Within the Saucony brand there is so much technology on display with the likes ISO and EVERUN collections to the customisable elements of the Mad River TR. With technical footwear, even trail running becoming more and more fashionable, are there any plans for these models to see the likes of store or partner collaborations?
JF: I love this question – it didn’t even need to be a plan. Without prompt some some of our partners seek out our trail and performance products because they’re just that good. White Mountaineering showed interest in a personal favorite of mine, the Switchback ISO, a minimalist trail shoe with a boa lacing construct. From there they created their own colorway dropping later this year in accompaniment to 2 Grid Webs as well. We’ve also got other partners that are cooking up some special Originals and giving their take on performance products.
Outside of partners our brand has given our team the freedom of giving performance and trail product the “Originals” take on it, afterall, once a product comes out with a new version, the 1st one then becomes an original. I’m leaking info here a bit, but I’ve brief in a 4 shoe pack that combines 2 trail shoes with 2 Originals inspired by Astrology. It’s a love of mine but also something I felt connects with our community’s constant pursuit of exploration, whether it be in the world, through various creative arts, and of course knowledge of self..
FP: While we have all been spending a lot more time indoors lately, we have all been missing our sneakers! A question we have liked asking lately is what would your go to footwear be for each of the below:
Working out – Endorphin Pro. People think new running shoe technology isn’t much different than previous versions, but not the case here. This shoe is truly like nothing else and an absolute beast.
Casual every day – The Jazz – forever a classic and looks good with everything.
Impressing someone – Grid Azura 2000, the design is as eye catching as it gets.
Staying at home – The Aya, if you’ve slept on it, they feel like slippers, in fact they feel lighter than some slippers, so comfy.
Travelling – Grid Web, I love that heel cushioning, but I cover having something unique that will stand out as well with any version of that shoe.
FP: Jason, thank you for your time speaking to us today! To close out can you just let us know what you are currently doing to keep active and inspired during these difficult times and what we can expect to see from Saucony throughout the rest of 2020 and into 2021?
JF: Thank you! And thanks to anyone reading, Foot Patrol has always been considered by me to be a legend in this industry so it’s an honor (Only in Soho Shadow 6000 Size 12 😉). As for these unprecedented times, I haven’t been as active as I would have liked to be physically but I’ve been incredibly active on the work front as I think we have a lot of good stuff in store. I need hockey rinks and movie theatres to open back up for me to keep myself busy otherwise, those are my sanctuaries. Other than that, I’m already a homebody and an introvert, I felt now was a good time to take it back to my upbringing where I soaked in movies and music in a different way, more intimately. I feel at various stages of my life, when I’ve connected deeper to those arts, it’s only set me up for years ahead to be able to do what I do with love.
As for what you can expect from Saucony – hopefully something that continues to make change and progress every single day. Especially in light of the awful injustices going on in our world, it’s forced us to take an even closer look into who we are, and what we do. Saucony is about it’s community and we want to do a better job of not just being a part of it, but being a leader. One thing you can look forward to that’s more tangible – the proper celebration and heroing of the brand’s most iconic shoe ever – the Jazz, with it’s 40th Anniversary coming in 2021. Thanks again for this opportunity, my love to all!
Thank you, Stay Safe!
#TEAMFP
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.
Reflective material’s are located throughout the jacquard quarter panel and heel counter emits light within darkness. One of the most loved materials within a lot of the YEEZY range is a BOOST midsole, this to finds its way into the YZY QNTM, elevating the the cushioning experience providing optimal comfort where consumers need it most. A semi-translucent clear TPU cage wraps the Boost and adds a distinct design element to the model while the herringbone patterned rubber outsole offers optimal traction.
To sign up to the IN-STORE (London & Paris) raffle, CLICK HERE!
To sign up to the ONLINE (UK Applicants only) raffle, CLICK HERE!
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.
Kicking things off last month with the introduction of the ‘Brazil’ which was then swiftly followed up with a the iconic University Red and White, a classic combination that pays homage to the Dunks earliest days.
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.
To enter the IN-STORE RAFFLE (LONDON ONLY), CLICK HERE!
In-store raffle – You’re required to sign up to the above raffle form, this will not be available in-store to sign up on. One entry per person, multiple entries will be cancelled. Winners will be notified via email.
Currently, the store is operating via an appointment only system. Creating an appointment is essential to collecting your win. DM us on Instagram to create your appointment.
One silhouette that has seen a range of releases already this year, the Air Jordan III is back for its latest. Following on from the ‘Fire Red’ release from earlier in the year, we now take a look at a similar colour blocked iteration, this time however in a Varsity Royal.
The upper has been constructed in an all over tumbled leather with complementing blue Jordan logo on the tongue.
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For our latest Footpatrol Discussions, we sat down with Vans Vault legend, Taka Hayashi. Continuing to bring his unique craftsmanship to the Van’s Vault line ever since his first coming together with the brand back in 2005, Hayashi brings his keen eye for detail to his latest SS20 collection taking iconic Vans details and making them his own.
Read what Hayashi had to say about his journey and how he came about ending up with his own name line.
Footpatrol: Hey Taka, hope you are keeping well! Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today. For the readers who may not be familiar with yourself could you give a short introduction into who you are and what you do for VANS?
Taka Hayashi: Hi Sam, happy to talk to you! I’m currently the head designer for Vans Vault. I’ve been designing Vault since 2006. I was born in Yokohama, Japan and moved to California as a young kid, where I grew up skating and making art. I currently live in Los Angeles.
FP: Can you tell us a little about your design background? Before shoes, I read that you had your own t-shirt label stocked in Union? And worked on designs for the likes of stussy?
T: Before my time at Vans, I was initially a graphic designer/ illustrator. I had my t-shirt line stocked at Union and Supreme. I also worked for Stussy as a graphic designer and illustrator.
FP: From there you did your first project with Vans in 2005 and began working full time shortly after? How was it in those early years working at VANS? Surely so much to learn yet living the dream for someone who grew up skateboarding in California.
T: It was right after the launch of my Syndicate project in late 2005 that I received an offer from Vans to work on the Skate line. it was a dream to work for a company that I grew up with and respected. It was a lot to take in and adjust coming from a graphic design and apparel background. In the early years, the changes were already happening with all the heritage classic models coming back with the launch of the Z-boys documentary. I think the Z-boys story really helped with the importance of the Vans roots in skateboarding. It was cool to see alI the kids romanticizing of that era and rocking slip-on’s and authentic’s. I also remember around 99’, thinking how cool and rebellious Geoff Rowly looked skating in red authentics. It was so fresh to the eyes since all skate shoes at the time looked so bloated.
FP: You are now the Head Footwear Designer for Vans VAULT and have your own name line of product for the brand. From your experience of hanging out in Skateshops and designing t-shirts to where you are now, what advice would you like to give to the next generation who are trying to make their way in design?
T: Immerse yourself within your area of interest. Connect with people who have similar levels of creativity & passion. Keep working hard at what you’re truly passionate about whether it’s graphic design or fashion. Don’t be afraid to take risks & make mistakes, as good things tend to come out of it. Make sure to stay mentally strong and don’t fall off your path.
FP: Onto design itself you work across core vault lines, collaborations and your own line. How do you differentiate your approach to each project?
T: It was difficult at first trying to focus on numerous projects, but through time you learn to manage and differentiate each project by switching your design mindset. I usually start off designing the new models for my capsule, inline Vault, and bringing back a few of the silhouettes from the archive. Then I move on to colors and prints for the Originals, Vlt, and my signature TH capsule. At the same time, I’m working on collaborations, which probably takes the most time since it’s through partnership.
FP: The Taka Hayashi line to me is one we have stocked at Footpatrol for years and each season it seems to evolve yet remain true to itself with influences drawn from travel, craftsmanship, native american culture and the Ainu people of Japan. What are the first steps you take when commencing upon a new season?
T: Usually, I start off with travels, visiting the local flea markets, and checking out bookstores. Music is a huge part of my life, & is very inspiring to my design. Many of the influences mentioned above are already ingrained in my design aesthetic. It’s about adding and updating to that look, giving fresh perspective. I think then, you still stay true to what you’re known for.
FP: Many people would say a pair of VANS gets better the more it’s worn, skated in, worn to a party, etc.. Yet a pair of Taka Hayashi Vans with their premium materials and intricate details are somewhat the pair I imagine a skater switching to for an occasion. Do you design the ranges with a specific audience in mind?
T: Vans do get better worn in, especially in canvas. It adds character to the shoes. With my collection, I think about the Vans audience who want the heritage look, but with extra details, premium materials, and unique color combinations.
FP: You have a new collection launching very soon, featuring the Style 98 LX, SK8-Lo Reissue LX and Style 47 LX, some models that may have not been seen for some years now and they are dressed in a QR code inspired print. Can you shed some light on this collection and why these models? Will we see more of them filter down into the wider VAULT range?
T: The Style 98 LX is a model that I brought back from the archive and reworked. I was drawn to the interesting paneling and the aesthetic of the late 90’s skate shoe. The Style 98 now sits on a modern last to give more of a sleek sculpted look with added details. I kept the materials and colors simple with a premium aniline leather and suede since the shoe itself already has a lot going on with details and paneling.
The Sk8-Lo Reissue is something that I reimagined as it were designed in the 80’s along with the Sk8-Hi. We had sk8-lo’s from not too long ago through the Skate and the Classics category, but never with the thinner eye row panel. I also updated the design with a sculpted collar and heel to give a bit of the retro football cleats look. The medial side has metal vent holes for extra breathability. The graphic was inspired by the QR code, which was invented in Japan, and our heritage checkerboard print. I thought the connection of the two graphics were a perfect blend since it pays homage to Vans and to the Japanese designer who created the QR code.
The Style 47 is also brought back from the archive and reworked with added details. I love this silhouette because of the multi functionality. The heel folds down to a mule which is great for traveling through airports where you often need to take your shoes off or on quickly. It’s also good for just running quick errands outside, whether you go water your plants outside, or bike ride to the corner market. Overall, it’s an easy effortless shoe with style. The materialization of the shoe is inspired by the vintage Czech military liner with hits of rubberized screen print on the heel seams to stop slippage when folded down. Military style webbing with vent holes were added on the medial side for the upcoming summer months.
FP: Given everything that’s currently going on in the world right now, i am particularly impressed with the community spirit, the challenges, the competitions, the live workouts and so on. I think it’s amazing to see people coming together through hardship. What are you currently doing to keep active and inspired during these times?
T: I think it’s amazing to see many communities coming together and helping one another. I hope the community spirit stays strong post covd-19. Since lock-down, I’ve been going through my library of books and researching online to stay inspired. To keep active, It’s a shuffle of going on bike rides to the beach, skating, or taking a long walk around the neighborhood.
FP: And given its trainers that brought us all together originally and we are all spending a lot of time indoors lately. We would like to know what your go to is for the below:
Working out – Authentic/Slip-ons for skating
Casual every day – OG Vans Style 47 (Changes seasonally)
Impressing someone – vintage made in USA Vans or TH shoes
Staying at home – Babouche slippers
FP: Taka, thank you for taking the time out to drop knowledge with us today! Would you have any last words for the readers?
T: Thanks for reading and thank you for the support.
Thank you,
Stay Safe,
#TEAMFP
