Sacai x Nike LDV Waffle
No one thinks to do something until someone does it, but when Japanese brand Sacai combined two retro running shoes from the Nike archive, the general consensus was that of an overwhelming “of course that’d work”. Just like that, something that would never have been previously considered is now seemingly ordinary. The blend of the Nike LDV and Waffle has been blessed with four distinctive colourways by Sacai, a colourful green and yellow patchwork creation and a similarly bright blue and red iteration as well as a pair of monochromatic versions in white and black respectively. Following the success of this Frankenstein-ish creation, it has emerged that another Japanese brand with a long-standing history with Nike has decided to adopt a retro runner from the Nike archive.
UNDERCOVER x Nike Daybreak
Japanese based fashion label UNDERCOVER has been in partnership with Nike across a multitude of projects for several years now, with recent collaborations including Undercover founder Jun Takahashi’s work on the futuristic and highly popular Nike React Element 87 as well as a rumoured upcoming release of the Air Max 720 silhouette. After debuting an array of new Nike collaborations in its latest Fall/Winter 2019 runway show, Jun Takahashi’s UNDERCOVER imprint is releasing a take on the vintage Nike Daybreak silhouette coinciding with the success of Sacai’s retro Nike runner. Debuting in 1979 and later worn during Joan Benoit Samuelson’s legendary marathon time in 1984. This fresh take employs suede hits on a nylon-based upper, featuring a flared EVA midsole and cup innersole. Each pair will come with a unique crown-like embellishment on the heel. To this day, the Daybreak has yet to be reissued, making the collaboration a unique piece for collectors and fans of the two brands.
The UNDERCOVER x Nike Daybreak is dropping in seven distinctive colourways – three of which will be mens, and four of which will be womens exclusives. With a variety of colours covered from the monochromatic to the vibrant, and all featuring a speckle pattern across their midsoles which match the patterns present on the images of the upcoming UNDERCOVER x Air Max 720. While a typical “UNDERCOVER” typography hit signs off as Mike Skinner once sang in “plain Helvetica”. An underscored U sits right on the back in confidence, placed in between the mouths of brutalist extensions. The UNDERCOVER x Nike Daybreak could just be the first of many following in the footsteps of Sacai in delving deep into the Nike archive in order to find inspiration for new releases, and I for one am excited to find out what else is in store for us.
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