Starting Five: Product Highlights [April 22]
Givenchy, Humanrace, Oakley, Suicoke and Y-3
Starting Five is a series where we spotlight recent product highlights that have caught our attention. Here at CONCEPTKICKS® we only showcase the product that moves us, that sparks excitement or conversation within the studio. Often, this product deserves a little more attention than the fleeting-likes of social media…
To provide a brief insight into an industry that waits for no one, we shine a light on the materials, processes and concepts behind some of the newest products in the footwear market, not to mention the launch of a new innovation lab at one of the biggest brands in sporting equipment. From towering boots and one-piece clogs to some of the best collaborative efforts you can buy at the moment, our latest array of choices has a little bit of everything. In case you missed them with the speed of your feed, here are five product highlights that have caught our attention…
Y-3 Runner 4D Halo Sneaker
When Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto introduced the Y-3 brand in 2002, the concept of athleisure (as it’s now called) was brave, radical and completely unheard of. Two decades later, there doesn’t seem to be a category within luxury fashion that hasn’t been touched by the lasting influence of the heavyweight partnership. As the name suggests, this modern runner utilises adidas’ 4D technology to create its rubber sole unit; formed in a complex web, the Continental™ outsole holds the addition of strategically placed spikes along the length of the shoe to give an appearance akin to track spikes or football cleats.
In keeping with this physical nexus, the upper is constructed from a highly-technical mesh which brings synergy to the appearance of the silhouette as a whole. The German brand’s three stripe signature is incorporated through thin white lines that weave in and out of the upper before leading into trailing threads which are reminiscent of one of Yamamoto’s previous takes on the Stan Smith. With a Primeknit collar and lining, lacing closure system and embossed Y-3 detailing to the underside of the sole, the Runner 4D Halo continues to fly the flag for active lifestyle footwear with its futuristic, animal-like form.
Available here
Suicoke Mok Inject
Cult Japanese Sandal brand Suicoke are back with a modern, responsible and comfort-heavy take on the clog. Ultralight EVA is used across the majority of the shoe and is the main focus of this simple, no-nonsense silhouette. A key benefit of the material is its ability to adapt to the wearer's feet through its malleable material that will allocate energy transfer as it squeezes and expands depending on various amounts of pressure.
It may come as a surprise that the Mok Inject represents Suicoke’s first foray into the one-piece-injection-moulded game, but this is a brand that does not do anything half-heartedly or without proper consideration. Produced using recycled waste materials, the shoe represents a nod to a more conscious and resourceful future that we all must act towards. By taking this step, the brand shows their acuteness in harnessing modern technological processes to bring new life to unproductive matter. The result of an intensive series of trials and experiments, the Mok Inject’s design includes cut-outs for breathability, a low-heel slip-on shape and one of Suicoke’s signature webbing velcro straps. Made in Italy, the Mok Injects an excellent option for anyone looking to add a casual home-shoe to their current rotation.
Available here
Oakley Factory Team x Brain Dead Flesh
If you asked us to come up with the most out there shoe collaboration possible, pairing Oakley and Brain Dead would probably be somewhere at the top of the list. Pitched as the ‘R&D division for the highest form of conceptual design and experimentation’, the Oakley Factory Team - as it’s being dubbed - is a new innovation lab for the sports equipment brand. Following on from a deep history of aesthetic peculiarities (least of all the infamous OVERTHETOP sunglasses), the Factory Team have reimagined one of Oakleys cult-favourite silhouettes, the Flesh.
Having to recreate the specific tooling for the shape because the original one isn’t around anymore, the team upgraded the materials and technology across the shoe to be better adapted for the modern day market. With a padded neoprene inner sock and branded pull tab of sport-based aesthetics, the upper is constructed of a soft brushed calf leather with contrasting gel forms dotted around the shoe. Accompanied by a series of strange but fantastic short films, the Oakley Factory Team Flesh arrives in two distinctive colourways and very limited quantities. A third iteration is due to release on 3rd May which waives the oval-shaped appliques in favour of a cleaner design, staying closer to the original Flesh that made its debut twenty years ago.
Available here
adidas x Humanrace NMD S1 RYAT
After our in-depth look at the release of the RYAT, it’s no surprise that Humanrace’s latest flagship model makes the cut of our Starting Five. Building upon previous releases from the prolific collaborators, the NMD S1 RYAT draws inspiration from hiking to bring Pharrell's rich personality to a technically apt sneaker-boot hybrid. Taking cues from the social changes of a pandemic-ridden world, the silhouette channels utility and routine into a bold and well-formed object. The RYAT combines the minimalist nature of the original NMD S1 with the daring attitude that has decorated Williams’ musical career; the outcome is a shoe that is functional for both the streets of Virginia Beach and the mountainous terrains found on inland explorations.
The concept behind the shoe is drawn with intent into the choice of materials. Premium leather and suede overlays make up the RYAT’s upper with a rubberized TPU mudguard and toecap that protect these materials. Going further, you will find a Boost midsole hidden within the structure, adding comfort, compression and energy return at industry-leading levels. Humanrace branding is delivered at the top of the tongue, while the three stripes' only real representation (aside from a faint heel embossing) is the Trefoil arrangement of the outsole tread, a clever rendering of the logo that adds durability and friction as well as being a branding opportunity.
Available here
Givenchy G Clog Boot
As our final selection of the group, the G-Clog Boot from Matthew Williams over at Givenchy is a towering behemoth of a shoe. Clad in stretch Nappa lambskin leather, the silhouette’s structural form is a masterpiece of modern footwear, bringing together traditional craftsmanship and a moulded rubber heel unit that looks like something from the future. The outer completely engulfs the internal construction to give the illusion of a second skin, as the collar extends well past the ankle creating a smooth transition all the way from the toe.
A central split seam line creates a beautiful symmetry across both the pair and each individual shoe, as full length zips on the medial side allow the boots to be worn with ease. With a platform and heel height of 2 inches, the G-Clog Boot is sure to add some grandeur to any outfit. Fully constructed in Italy from the finest materials, the G-Clog Boot features a soft goatskin leather lining for a high level of comfort and quality. The leather insole is adorned with the iconic 4G signature of the house, while the brand’s typeface logo is embossed across the heel of the boot as a marked stamp of the premium standards that the brand holds itself to.
Available here
