You’re not the same person you were at the beginning of this year. You’re a little wiser, stronger and most probably slightly wearier. You’re also not going to let Sneaker-Labsneak one past you this time. Remember those gorgeous Saada Ahmed designs from January’s drop? Discover fifteen new unique Nike shoes created by a group of five different designers. Available as from today, for three weeks only.
Kenneth ‘Keni’ Thomas
This Philadelphia art director/graphic designer uses his pop-surrealist style to convey messages of social, environmental and political importance. His first Sneaker-Lab design is the Air Force 1 Low Essential ‘The Ruler’, inspired by once upon a time not long ago when Thomas spent his 80s summers having master Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” on blast.
Faves. His second pair, the Air Force 1 Low Essential ‘The Danger’ is a comic book villain of a shoe, Doctor Doom to be precise.
And for his third set, Keni Thomas wants you to “Be fresher than an infant as you stunt like a star in these Mos Def inspired kicks”. Come through, Mos Def shoe!
Noël Young
This Florida-based painter is most inspired by the people she encounters as well as texture, colour and music. Her Air Max LD-Zero ‘Naked’ is a nude affair, flowing from a preference to paint barefoot. But for $220, I think it’s safe to say few sneakerheads will be going near a dripping brush in these.
Then comes the Air Max 2017 ‘Resilient’. These shoes symbolise the grit it takes to be an artist and business owner plus they literally light the way since they glow in the dark.
The design is brooding and murky, I can appreciate that. Finally, giving us severe 80s teas, you’ve got the Air Max 2017 ‘Bold’, the shoe Young prefers to wear to stand out in a crowd while networking or attending art events.
Krystian Lorenzana
This L.A. designer, with the best IG name, grew up in a military family, constantly moving around. Nike shoes are what tethered him to home, as a single constant in his life. Lorenzana created the Air Max 1 Essential ‘Liberty’, as an homage to a soldier’s down-time. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.
A second model, the Air Max 1 Ultra Flyknit ‘The Worm’ is obviously inspired by Dennis Rodman, who was his NBA idol growing up.
A third creation, the Air Max 1 Essential ‘Under Construction’ takes its elements from city trips, concrete and Japanese skyscrapers.
Amado Morales aka Sonemoore
Sonemoore, or Sneaker King, is all about his drawings, graffiti, tattoo art and a good shoe. Morales found inspiration for all three of his sneakers in one place: New York City. His first contribution is the Air Max 90 Ultra 2.0 Flyknit ‘City Lights’, dedicated to Manhattan.
The second pair, the Air Presto ‘Bronx Bomber’ is inspired by the beacon of hip hop and sport legends: the Bronx.
Of course, he ended with the Air Max 1 Ultra Flyknit ‘Bklyn NYC’. The colours say it all: “All black is where life is at in Brooklyn. Blue, for the daybreak when everyone is ready to come out. Red camouflage signifies the struggle and feeling of where graffiti was born in the streets.”
Benj Curtis
Keeping Portland weird, is artist Benj Curtis, who has a pure love for bright colours in life and his work. He also likes a good motivational slogan, if you look at his Sneaker Lab concoctions. The Air Force 1 Low Essential ’Keep Going’ is a favourite, the speckled constellation sole works ever so smoothly with the beige swoosh.
Then you’ve got the Free RN 2017 ‘Never Stop’, which is about “never giving up in life”.
The third one, an Air Max 90 Ultra 2.0 Flyknit titled ‘Just Move’ is “inspired by the fact that sometimes, we just need to go; go dance… go run… go walk… go hike… go get a drink and be with those we love.” Okay, but as long as none of said loves ones step on my 200-dollar Nike exclusives.
Which pair are you most into? You know we’re here for your tweets. Also, if you think this game is all you: you can sign up here to let Sneaker-Lab and Nike know what you could do for them and become a creator yourself.
Shop all exclusive designs here, for three weeks only from August 28. Sneaker-Lab unfortunately still doesn’t ship outside of the United States, so it’s time to hit up your people stateside.
Images: Sneaker-Lab
