We previewed these a while back and now they have a concrete release date. Celebrating ten years in the business, Sneakernstuff will be dropping these three special New Balance models — the red M577, green M1500′s and blue-based M1700′s — on 12.29.09. So while you’re clamoring for Space Jams, I’m glad these are coming out now, just in time for me to beat my New Year’s resolution of buying fewer…dah, who am I fooling?

[Via]

I’ve been beasting for these but finding a 13 for myself via the Euro usual suspects has been quite a task. Therefore, if you have one in stock, I’ll take that and I believe Contra™ wants a 10 as we want to do our part to help stimulate Detroit’s economy. Read the rest of this entry »

Swedish shop Sneakersnstuff teams up with New Balance to commemorate the shop’s ten years in the game. The results? Read the rest of this entry »

In the day of $70 tees, “exclusive, one of fifteen in production” sneakers going for over a stack and an economic recession, watching brands & designers bring the products back down to a fiscal reality is refreshing. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been paying closer attention to a handful who’ve made the move to help you save a few beans while still looking fly. As well, there are other brands making changes in their design & presentation that take away from depending on their lofty name & focusing on what matters most: quality. Here’s a few.

Freshjive drops labeling — After years of success in the clothing industry, Freshjive founder Rick Klotz had a moment of clarity & decided that slapping their logo on their gear was unnecessary.

Since I started Freshjive, I have had a personal conflict with this business of “branding.” In fact, I was so conflicted at one time, that I quit working. I am in the business of promoting the company brand yet personally I am not interested in items for the brand name. It’s a bit of a quagmire with me because I hate the culture of promoting a brand yet I enjoy designing clothes and t shirt designs.

Beginning with our spring 2010 line, we will no longer be using our brand logo or name on any of our product, including all labeling and t shirt designs. Nowhere on any product will our name or previous brand logo be used anymore. [Norml]

This one will depend on several factors. While the majority of Americans don’t mind buying into a brand (*raises hand), there are those who despise it. Assuming that both factions do demand quality & Freshjive’s already strong name, the company is on firm enough footing to pull off this move.

Al Harrington’s Protege A3Hsneakers — A few weekends ago, I spent a majority of my time watching NBA’s Greatest Games on NBA TV & they played Al’s commercial countless times. They definitely have a budget for marketing, considering the shoes only cost $15. Who would’ve imagined that my size 13 is sold out on Kmart’s site?

Fat Joe’s sneaker for K-Mart — Initially, Joe was going for a shoe to be called “The Recession.” Right alongside Al’s Protege model will be Joe’s sneaker, complete with a small TS logo across the midfoot. I’m sure that doesn’t signify “Tony Sunshine.” Nah, I kid I kid. Question his pedigree on a lot of fronts, but Joe’s a sneakerhead tried & true (whattup Macho!) so to see him give back in this manner is all the way respectable. What I can’t figure out is if both Joe & Al have the same model shoe, why his are going to be $35? Either way, at least today’s bobo’s don’t look like the cheap, pleather knockoffs from the 80′s. Upside down Swoosh signs & Voits were never the business.

Jeff Staple To Make Airwalks Exclusively For Payless — This had to be the one collaborative move no one expected out of designer Jeff Staples. Branding has propelled him to the heights of success. Let’s face the facts: the man has the Midas touch. the Pigeon Dunks & his designs for New Balance bring good bread in the sneaker community. For Pete’s sake, he was able to add the “x” to a collaboration with Kia Motors. Yet, partnering with Airwalk for STPL 4 Airwalk was something he wanted to do

“Payless has over 4,500 stores worldwide and has a much, much lower average price point than more renowned sneaker boutiques like Leaders or Commonwealth. ‘If you were a graf artist, you did the side of a train so everyone could experience your creation,’ Staple recounted in Collective’s press release on the partnership, ‘As a graphic designer, I want my works published and available for everyone to see.’ He makes a strong case. The sheer amount of stores he’ll have his name in, in this case they’ll be produced under the “STPL 4 Airwalk” name, would be difficult for anyone to pass up and more than that, Payless’ inexpensive price points make a product more accessible and available to a wider customer base.

‘What gets me most excited, though, is the reach of Payless. I feel like the age of ’1-of-24′ or ’1-of-100′ is becoming obsolete. If you were a graf artist, you did the side of a train so everyone could experience your creation. As a graphic designer, I want my works published and available for everyone to see. As a DJ, I want to play in front of the biggest possible crowd. So why shouldn’t this same philosophy hold true for sneaker design? I am really looking forward to reaching this wider audience and having a larger impact as a designer. Thanks Payless! [SC]‘ “

True enough and sure it “ruffled some pigeon feathers,” which the brand knows. But you can’t win worldwide fame by doing limited releases alone. And given skateboarding’s role in the resurgance of sneaker culture, it’s good to see one of the originators like Airwalk given a shot in the arm.

Absolut No Label Edition Vodka — In an attempt to embody the company’s motto — “In An ABSOLUT World, There Are No Labels” — they’ve stripped away all the labels. For a brand know for their witty advertising, this is just as ingenious as anything they’ve ever done. In the age of Obama & Beer Summits, they know what we all know — people can get drunk & all be friends.

Once upon a time, I used to frown @ Claes. However, the more I kept an eye on their designs, models & releases, the more I started to notice that they put a touch of flair to their footwear. Read the rest of this entry »

Jordan Brand released an online lookbook of their upcoming History Of Flight project that we spoke on before. Read the rest of this entry »

Of all the sneak peeks of Nike Sportswear’s 2010 line, the most flame pair is the one supposedly being scrapped. Read the rest of this entry »

Nike is reinforcing their commitment to keeping old runners in rotation. Read the rest of this entry »

“Clothes make the man, naked people have little or no influence on society.” – Mark Twain

All praises due to MZ for scooping these on my behalf during Foot Locker’s 50% off sale. Read the rest of this entry »

Part two of the Asics Trilogy Project sees Nice Kicks getting their own Gel Lyte III’s. Read the rest of this entry »

We’re used to seeing denim used on sneakers. Opting for a different route, However, we don’t get to see chambray used at all. Read the rest of this entry »

“We being stingy, we ain’t giving away swagger no mo’…”

Since these came up as a topic of discussion yesterday, I decided to share a pic. Read the rest of this entry »

With the release of the Flywire-enhanced Air Maxim last month, Nike produced a video detailing the design behind the original, the ’87 classic Air Max 1 and its revolutionary visible air bubble.

Struck by the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, legendary designer and current Swoosh VP of Special Projects Tinker Hatfield Read the rest of this entry »

Normal looking retro J’s right?

Au contraire, mon frère, at least not when Nike & Jordan Brand are milking the memories have memories & milestones to work with. Read the rest of this entry »

Mentioned previewed these before but today we get the first full glimpse of the Asics Gel Lyte III created by Ronnie Fieg for Cultureshoq, the first in the trilogy. These (which I’ve decided to call the Cultureshoq Gel III’s) will be releasing Friday @ David Z. & limited to 150 pairs. But fall back; the 13′s mine.

Also, I’ve got proper authority to make mention that the version for Nice Kicks will be fairly en fuego as well.

Detailed shots after the break. Read the rest of this entry »