Fashion
7 New Sneaker Collabs Dropping This Spring and Summer
Originally created for athletes in the throes of the industrial revolution, sneakers have become a pillar of fashion, function, and effortless self-expression donned by people from all walks of life.
According to Nicholas Smith, author of “Kicks: The Great American Story of Sneakers,” there’s something magical about shoes. From Air Jordan ads to fairytales, shoes have carried on a mystique, he told “Smithsonian Magazine.” “What makes Cinderella a princess? The magic glass slipper. What makes Dorothy come back from the land of Oz? The ruby slippers.”
The figurative magic can become almost literal with the right pair of sneakers. Thanks to America’s fascination and fandom with the kicks, there are lots of new sneaker collabs hitting the market this year. Here are a few of the season’s most iconic footwear.
Adidas x Marvel
This spring, Adidas also teamed up with Marvel to release an Avenger inspired shoe line as part of the brand’s “Heroes Among Us” sneaker collection. The line includes six limited edition designs, and two styles created through a collaboration with artist Jen Bartel. The Adidas x Jen Bartel designs are inspired by Captain Marvel and Thanos and the launch of “Avengers: Endgame.”
The Captain Marvel sneakers are fashioned with Adidas’ signature stripes and the star-shaped insignia, in gold. The Thanos’ design is modeled after the character’s purple hue, and features an infinity stone design on the heels. Both are outfitted with the Marvel logo, and available exclusively at Footlocker.
Adidas Yeezy 350 Glow V2
The hotly anticipated glow-in-the-dark sneakers are the latest design to come out of the Adidas Yeezy line. Since the original release of the 350 v2 models last year — which feature a similar transparent mesh stripe from toe-to-heal — the Boosts’ have been the hype of footwear, according to Sneaker News. The Adidas Yeezy collection previously released the 350 Boost in three colors: clay, hyperspace, and TRFRM. The newest neon green style comes with the popular transparent stripe and is glow-in-the-dark so they’re even more attention-grabbing when the lights are off.
The sneakers are set for release on May 25, 2019, and come in kids, infant, and adult sizes.
Nike x Steve Harrington’s Earth Day Collection
This colorful collaboration between Nike and Steve Harrington, a Los-Angeles based artist known for his Californian “psychedelic-pop aesthetic,” was born from a shared commitment to sustainability. Released on April 22, the Earth Day Collection includes some of Nike’s most iconic styles, such as the “Air Force 1,” “Cortez,” and “Blazer Low.”
All styles in the line feature a globe, and Harrington’s signature palm trees and cartoon dog. Each of the three designs are set on a clean and classy, all-white sneaker with variations of white or blue outsoles.
The sneakers are constructed with Nike’s Flyleather innovation, which according to the company is “made with at least 50 percent leather fiber [and] looks and feels like regular leather.”
Reebok x Alien Stomper 40th-Anniversary OG
The unisex sneakers are a homage to the 1979 sci-fi film, “Alien,” and are modeled from the creators’ original prototypes. The upgraded, 40th-anniversary design features the classic Reebok logo and is made with premium aged leather — perfect for the retro look. The high-ankle design also comes with midfoot and ankle straps (of course!) and a rubber outsole to complete the vintage silhouette.
The special issue stompers come in a “Space Fleets” box with a certificate of authenticity. The sneakers were released on April 26th, and are available on Reebok.com.
Star Wars x Adidas Crazy 1
Adidas is joining forces with Star Wars for yet another high-profile partnership this year. The Star Wars x Adidas basketball collection is set to include two pairs of sneakers, a hoodie and a long sleeve top. It is expected to drop this summer, just a few months before the release of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” this December.
Little is known about the design, but the Star Wars sneaks are also said to be modeled after Adidas’ “Dame 5” and “Crazy 1,” originally known as “The Kobe.” One preview, provided by @DirtyMoney823, shows the Crazy 1, or “Galactic Empire,” with a sleek black and red design, glossy print, textured laces, and an Empire logo on the lip.
Supreme x Air Jordan 14
According to multiple sources such as Sole Collector and Sneaker News, the highly celebrated union between the two brands is rumored to be back with a new collaboration. Little details, including the release date, are known. However, the sneaker is said to come in two different colorways, and is styled after the Air Jordan 14, the legendary shoes worn by Michael Jordan while he played for the Chicago Bulls — and inspired Nike’s “It’s Gotta Be the Shoes” ad campaign.
Vans x Bowie
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It’s here. See the full Vans x @DavidBowie collection now at vans.com/bowie and your local store.
The Vans x Bowie collection features a limited line of shoes and clothing inspired by David Bowie’s many reinventions. Those include tributes to his alter-ego, Ziggy Stardust; the 1969 single, “Space Oddity;” both the “Honky Dory” and “Blackstar” album covers, and the “Aladdin Sane” lightning bolt.
The unisex sneakers come in six different styles, such as the platform sneaker, and a collectible shoebox. The shoes are available for adults, kids, and toddlers.
