Nike iD x Pendleton

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NIKEiD & Pendleton

In their quest to make everyone a sneaker artist/designer, Nike have certainly been pushing the boundaries lately in terms of what can be achieved using the one-of-a-kind potential of NIKEiD. Demonstrating this perfectly is this latest addition to the customisable service; a collaboration with clothing manufacturer Pendleton Woolen Mills.
There are four silhouettes available for customisation, the Air Force 1, Blazer, SB Janoski and that artist/designer favourite, the Roshe Run (shown above). Each features four variable Pendleton wool patterns, with eight suede accent colours. Additional options include a nubuck midsole for the Air Force 1, wool or classic white nylon tongue for the Blazer, leather or cotton laces for the SB Janoski and, to increase the limited edition potential of the Roshe Run, a choice of two different blocking styles.

Nike & The Art + Science of Natural Motion

 

Helping to celebrate the recent Free and Flyknit footwear innovations, Nike has teamed up with digital artists Universal Everything, Daniel Widrig and Quayola+Sinigaglia to create The Art + Science of Natural Motion, an exhibition based around the principles of ‘fit’ and ‘flex’…

Originally hosted during Milan Design Week by Nike Stadium Milano, the exhibition sees the three artists interpret themes including the body in motion, technology, design, art and sport. Universal Everything’s The Art and Science of Fit explores movement with a 3D interactive experience that allows the viewer to manipulate strands of colour with the sweep of an arm. Flowing multicoloured woven patterns move freely on the large screens of a digitized cube structure, intelligently fitting to the silhouette of the visitor .

 

The Art and Science of Flex, by Daniel Widrig, aims to capture the essence of motion by transforming a digital artwork into the reality of a material sculpture. The artist uses animation software to create multiple snapshots of an abstract geometric figure moving in a 3D space. This snapshot is then materialised into a four meter long intricate sculpture that interprets movement and flexibility in very unexpected ways.

To complement Widrig’s work, long-time collaborators Davide Quayola and Natan Sinigaglia have created Flexure, an abstract, time-based digital sculpture that is an ever-evolving transformation of a rectangular monolith. Focusing on the physical properties of elasticity and flexibility, Flexure is a dynamic audio-visual display of movement using digital canvas.

The Art + Science of Super Natural Motion is an evolving exhibition that will travel to Tokyo, New York and London until October 2013

 

             

        

Belle & Vidére T-lights

 

 Design agency Rosie Lee recently let us know about the Belle & Vidére T-light project; a hand-crafted lampshade collection featuring some great sneaker-related graphics…

London-based Belle & Vidére produce high-end lampshades that combine traditional lampshade making with modern and unlikely items. As you may have guessed, the unlikely item used in the T-light collection is that staple of everyone's wardrobe, the T-shirt. Ingeniously, the T-light collection is actually a bespoke service where old-but-loved T-shirts can be both made use of, while at the same time proudly displayed. Shown below are some vintage sneaker-related classics that have been given the T-light treatment...
As Belle & Vidére explain; ‘Some love their T-shirts because of their association with a specific time of their lives, others simply love the graphic. Whatever the reason, the T-light provokes a little love and sense of humour for the past or for the present.’
To convert an old T-shirt into a lampshade, or to simply find out more about Belle & Vidére's bespoke T-light service, visit the website here

 

Nike Blazer Mid LR “Dark Khaki”

 

Given that the last release featured a kiltie, corded laces and brass hook eyelets, this new Nike Blazer Mid LR is relatively subdued both in color and construction. A slightly more well done reimagination of 2010′s ‘Gold Dust’ Blazer CS SB, this new LunarLon Blazer Mid rocks a Dark Khaki suede with Filbert accents including the nylon Swooshes, adds a gum outsole hidden by a familiar white on the woodgrain foxing.

Nike ACG Kingman Leather Textile

 

Like it or not the summer will come to an end eventually, meaning that once the leaves switch up their colors you’ll be compelled to switch up your sneakers as the inclement weather sets in. If you don’t want to switch up out of the Swoosh though then fear not, as they’ve just crafted a killer lifestyle looking boot known as the Nike Kingman Leather Textile.

Nike over the decades with Stephen Cheetham & Nike

After taking part in A&S'  'A Few of My Favourite Sneakers' project last year (with illustration agency Handsome Frank), London-based illustrator Stephen Cheetham was inspired to create a series of artworks documenting his favourite Nike shoes from the past four decades. Interview after pics.

Can you explain a little about your background?
I wanted to be a product designer when I left college, so I went to Newcastle to study 3D design. Had lots of fun, learned some things, moved to London looking for work, but failed to be a product designer and ended up working in retail. At the same time I had a few friends who put on gigs and parties and asked me to do flyers for them. People seemed to like the flyers, so I took it more seriously and really started to enjoy it. That's where my path into illustration started. I played with my style, put a portfolio together, kept working on flyers/posters/competitions and then looked into getting an agent. After a few years working on my illustration whenever I could, I got a break when I joined Handsome Frank, and now work as a freelance illustrator.

What made you draw 32 pairs of sneakers - and why Nike?
I have a real soft spot for Nike runners from the 70s, so after illustrating the Cortez for the Art & Sole 'A Few of My Favourite Sneakers' feature, I started illustrating some other personal favourites. Just for fun really, but then I started thinking about what I could do with them and thought about a series of posters, not only concentrating on the 70s but other decades too. The series was born. I've always preferred Nike to any other sneaker brand. Not sure why, just aesthetically more appealing to me I guess.

Are these your favourite Nike's from each decade, or were these silhouettes simply the most interesting to draw?
I'd say these are some of my favourites. There are some big omissions from each decade, but I limited myself to eight just for layout and continuity.

From past experience we know you love the Cortez, but which was your favourite shoe to draw from this project?
I think I'd have to say the Bruin, just because it's a beautifully simple silhouette, and I think it works well in my simple illustrative style. If you asked me tomorrow I'd probably completely change my mind though. Difficult to choose.

Lastly, have you earmarked any recent releases for a future 2010s collection?
Definitely. There have been some pretty amazing new models this year alone, my favourite being the Flyknit Racer. I've yet to get my hands on a pair (pesky all-night queues), but hopefully soon with more colour ways being released.

Nike Air Max 1 Holiday 2012 Pack

Nike preview 4 brand new colourways for the AM1 about to drop soon. Yeah the iconic Nike Air look on the back of your favorite pair of Air Jordans is long gone, but it’s not going anywhere anytime soon as far as the Nike Air Max 1 goes. This quick quartet of styles gives us a sneak peak at which to expect from this pillar of the Nike Sportswear retro range towards the tail end of the year, with suede playing a big part in the colorful capsule.

Nike & Tom Sachs

This intricate and artisan collaboration between Nike and New York-based sculptor Tom Sachs was inspired by an ongoing fascination (Sach's has previously constructed replicas of both the Apollo 11 Lunar Excursion Module and the bridge of the USS Enterprise) with the technical ingenuity and romance of space travel… As Nike point out, astronauts must be as fit as an elite athlete to withstand the rigors of exiting the earth’s atmosphere. Their daily tasks require substantial effort and endurance and, equally, the equipment they use must be up to the task of performing under the most unforgiving conditions. With this in mind, it was the physical journey of space travel that ended up inspiring the Tom Sachs: NikeCraft project – a five-piece collection which includes the Mars Yard Shoe, the Trench, The Marsfly Jacket, and the Lightweight Tote. Nike design and Sachs have applied materials that have never been used in sportswear previously; fabrics taken from car air bags, boat mainsails and, of course, actual space suits.