ACG CLASSICS AND NEW DUNK SILHOUETTES – THIS WEEK IN SNEAKERS

by Sam Le Roy August 2, 2021

by Sam Le Roy August 2, 2021 6 minutes read

levis new balance sneakers — Levi's / New Balance ©

In the wake of Travis Scott’s blockbuster Air Jordan 1 release, the sneaker world is in a state of recovery and releases are slow, with very few pickings this week. That said, there’s a massive amount of rumours, controversy and news to get through, from Kyrie Irving’s beef with Nike to another A Ma Maniere Jordan collaboration. Strap in and get in the know with the week in sneakers.

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

THE NIKE DUNK REBEL – A GOOD REMIX ON THE DUNK?
Nike Dunk High Rebel is a new silhouette, appearing in a 1985 colorway. Dressed up in a recognisable “Michigan” color scheme, that we’ve seen a handful of times in the past 24 months through both in-line releases and collaborations with Virgil Abloh, the Rebel sees a contemporary spin on the Dunk High’s heritage shape. Layered panelling, embroidered mini Swooshes and a thick, stacked midsole, Nike have for once offered a positive reinterpretation of the Dunk – frankly, the “Disrupt” Dunk Low was a slap in the face for any female sneakerheads that wanted to give the silhouette a go, just ask Titi Finlay on her opinion.

THE KYRIE 8 IS “TRASH” – IS THIS THE END FOR KYRIE & NIKE?
Signature brand athlete and NBA superstar Kyrie Irving took to Instagram to unveil his newest basketball silhouette, the Kyrie 8, but contrasting conventional reveals which preach development, evolution and pride, the Nets point guard went on to bad mouth Nike and the sneaker. This follows the Bryant estate’s fallout with Nike Basketball, wherein sneakers were being produced without their consent – eventually, Kobe’s contract with Nike ended and never extended, so it’s going to be interesting to see the outcome of this drama. The future of what has been a 7-year relationship between Nike and Kyrie is uncertain, but competitors will be looking at this feeling very excited; for brands, Kyrie may become a free agent and open up a signing opportunity for a new franchise-defining athlete, and for players, Kyrie’s departure would leave a spot open for a new Nike Basketball player franchise alongside the likes of LeBron James, Zion, and KD.

A MA MANIERE IS BACK WITH AN AIR JORDAN 1
James Whitner’s A Ma Maniere is on an incredible hot streak in terms of collaboration, and is set to follow up on the fan favorite Air Jordan III – which remains the sneaker of the year for so many – with a take on the Air Jordan 1. The pair arrives in a cream, all-suede upper, broken up by burgundy snakeskin detailing on the Swoosh and heel panelling, as well as on the laces and outsole. On the inside of the wings, James Whitner’s label leaves a quote “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them” in a finishing touch.

THE “ACID WASH” PACK IS A CALLBACK TO THE 1985 AIR DUNK
As well as the aforementioned “Rebel” Dunk High, Nike are set to release another modified Dunk, this time paying homage to the 1985-created Air Dunk that was worn on the court for a short time before being shelved for more advanced Air-bearing silhouettes. Here, the Dunk High features a thicker, pre-yellowed sole unit, as well as a lengthened tongue – the eclectic appearance goes even further with the “Acid Wash” treatment, arriving in two colorways.

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RELEASES OF THE WEEK: 02.08.2021 – 08.08.2021

The pick of the week is no doubt the New Balance 992 by Levi’s, which arrives constructed of vintage Levi’s jeans in an all-grey look. While understated, simple, and hardly in-your-face, the 992 is a great silhouette that will struggle to look any better than this. An often overlooked detail is the fact that no two pairs are the same, with the sneakers coming alongside an apparel collection also arriving as a patchwork of upcycled denims.

Other big pairs come from Reebok and Nike ACG, by way of the Premier Road Modern “Dark Hyper” and the original Air Mowabb colorway, the former taking being a follow up on the “Hyper Marathon” iteration from 2020 and presenting itself as a night-time runner, while the latter is a long-awaited callback to a 30-year-old trail runner classic.