Nike Air: 3 Decades of Cushioning
I'm dizzy. As a celebration of three decades of Air cushioning, Nike is launching an all out assault on the senses of sneakerheads worldwide. Each of the 8 iconic AirMax models is being produced in 7 different colorway packs all dropping this weekend. I'll let the pros give you the overview and will just share my favorites. From left to right above, the AirMax '93 from the Orange Pack, the AirMax '97 from the Blue Ribbon Sports Pack and the soon-to-be-launched AirMax 360 from the Limited Edition toy inspired pack.



Loomstate Vans
Here's a sneak peek at Loomstate's new line of Vans due out this February. Made using the same 100% organic cotton that they use to make their clothes (it's a blend of fibers from Turkey, Texas, and Kentucky that Loomstate engineered themselves), the shoes come in classic slip-on and high-top models (pictured) and they're lined in the same signature polka-dot fabric used for interior panels of their jeans.



Gregory Siff
When Gregory Siff isn't acting in independent films, modeling for Abercrombie, or hosting Disney's Z Games, he's painting, creating installations and sculptures, or customizing Stan Smith adidas. The NYC-born, 27 year-old wunderkind tailors the kicks, called "Gregory's," according to the character of the individual. Currently he also offers more minimalist versions, like those pictured, at Rudy's Barbershop in the Hollywood Standard hotel. His graffiti sneakers follow the same sincere poetics that run throughout his body of work, touching on love, loss, and spirituality.



Brinco Sneakers
Although only 1000 of these shoes were made, these limited edition sneakers are more about art than footwear. Featured in thePrinted Matter booth at Art Basel and designed by Argentine-born artist Judi Werthein, Brincos were created for migrant workers crossing the U.S./Mexico border. Each pair comes with a flashlight and compass attached to the shoelaces, a small pocket in the tongue for money or pain relievers, and a map of the border printed on the removable insole. With a Mexican-flag colorway, the pattern on the heel represents the Mexican eagle and the design on the toe hails from the American eagle found on quarter dollars. A small portrait of the Vatican-approved patron saint of migrants, St. Toribio Romo Gonzalez, adorns the back ankle.



Vans Vault, Spring 06
Brighton based One40Five Store has posted a preview of the Spring 06 Vault Line from Vans. For those not familiar with this line, it's a higher quality construction with limited distribution. The bright patterns here are just one of the many directions coming this Spring. There will also be Wallys, plaids, bright leather perforateds, camo printed tweed and moccasins that look like they might be a Visvim collaboration (purely my own speculation here).



Chucks by Factory People and Youth of Tomorrow
ustin City Limits puts on the ACL Festival every September, and Factory People is the social hub of the event, with many of the bands dropping by the shop to buy new tour clothes, take a turn on their DJ setup, or just hang out.

This year Factory People asked Youth of Tomorrow to create a unique item for an installation at their big after-party with Fader magazine. Being all about quintessential, YoT settled on customizing some Chuck Taylor All-Stars, the quintessential rock n roll footwear.

The 5 pairs based on the music of 5 different bands playing ACL are shown after the jump with descriptions from YoT. All pairs are being auctioned on eBay with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the San Juan Diego Catholic High School.



Sneaker Activism: Back to the Futture Nike
Remember the Adidas Zissou campaign I launched back in January? While it generated some great buzz (Boston Globe, USA Today,Sports Illustrated), Adidas never chose to put the shoe into production.

This week Al Cabino launched a campaign of his own to get Nike to produce the funky extra high tops worn by Marty McFly in Back to the Future 2. He has nearly 300 signatures at the moment and is pushing for more before presenting his petition to Nike. Even if you don't like the shoes, go sign the petition and help establish the first-ever consumer demanded sneaker.



On the Wall
Local 35 is a two-year old Portland multi-use space that sells independent clothing lines and shows art. Their latest show, opening tonight from 7-10pm, fuses art and fashion, commissioning over 15 artists with customizing a pair of Vans to benefitSkaters for Portland Skateparks. Eric Railton, the man behind Akadia clothing, emblazoned his entry with a wolf (pictured) - the image that seems to be the current animal-of-choice among designers and also appears on one of the tees in his Fall/Winter line. Other participants include Eyeformtion and Brown Sound, and the show runs through the end of November.



SB Wear
If you've ever been to 255 (inside or just passing by), you couldn't miss the big guy at the door. His name is Andrew and he's almost always wearing a t-shirt that matches his limited edition kicks. He and his partner Stephen design and produce these shirts under the label SB Wear. With 11 designs so far, each one is inspired by a Nike limited edition release. And like the shoes, the shirts are limited as well. Check out their hot new web site, or just skip straight to the store(most styles are $35 each).



Shop Gentei

Shop Gentei, the concept store that opened October 1st in Baltimore, Maryland is the brainchild of 28-year old designer Oliver Jones. Two years in the making, Jones waited until Baltimore's scene could support a themed boutique - currently Military, the theme will change bi-annually - that carries limited edition sneakers and off-the-beaten-path streetwear, like his own Slyandrobby line and Japan's Mackdaddy. Thanks to Jones' four-year stint in Japan, every Japanese brand Gentei carries is exclusive to the U.S., including the standout AG and the distinctly Japanese jewelry line Garni. If you're not planning a trip to Baltimore anytime soon, Gentei's plans for an online store are in the works.



JB Classics, Tonight at Sneaker Pimps
Remember the new JB Classics line we showed you here and here? Well they're finally available, starting tonight at Sneaker Pimps NYC. There will also be a few new models unveiled... So get there early and bring some cash because these will be gone quickly.

Publisher: coolhunting
Since February 2003 Josh Rubin's Cool Hunting has been a daily update on stuff from the intersection of design, culture and technology. Josh started the site as a way to catalog things that inspire him in his practice as a designer and strategist. Today Cool Hunting has grown beyond a personal reference tool-- designers, consumers and marketers from around the world visit every day to get their dose. As the site became increasingly fueled by contributions from readers, Josh realized Cool Hunting should be a collective. He now serves as Editor of the site and wrangles contributions from a small gaggle of hand picked writers who are out finding great things and looking at all the stuff readers are feeding us.
Web: www.coolhunting.com
Published: march 2005
Market: mens womens
Region: usa

DISCLAIMER
Information in this report relies on sources including Trade Shows, Associations, News Releases, Government Reports and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof.