Starting Five: Product Highlights [January]
Adieu, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Kassl Editions, Margiela, & Parley
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…
From the epitome of craft-focussed shoes and modern iterations of signature reference points to initiatives revolving around mental health and the need for taking greater care of our planet, our first Starting Five of 2022 is a varied selection that speaks volumes about the current state of footwear. With the greatest of design thinkers, manufacturing technologies and community activists, brands from across the world continue to showcase why they’re leading the charge in an ever broad and diversified industry. The upper finds itself to be a particular focus, as the major players attempt to tweak tradition and improve composition through layering, exposing and reinforcing the common aspects of a shoe’s make-up. To get you up to speed with the last few weeks, here are five product highlights (plus a bonus) that you should be paying attention to…
Asics x Kassl Editions Gel-1090
In the form of an updated Gel-1090, KASSL Editions have come up with one of the best Asics collaborations in recent memory, and that’s no easy feat. For those unfamiliar with the pan-European label, KASSL Editions seeks to focus their efforts into producing one item - the coat - alongside changeable seasonal accessories. Each season the silhouette is updated with new colours, applications and fabrications to constantly reinvent a timeless classic. With an experimental and artistic flex, KASSL adds an elasticated cover to the upper of the Gel-1090 that is bonded to the midsole by way of a bright green PU that reminds the viewer of dripping liquid latex. The protective fabric hides the toe box of the shoe out of sight before extending around the full length of the heel. In contrast to the aforementioned seamless nature of the Balenciaga Trooper, the KASSL Gel-1090 could not be more explicit in terms of where different portions of the shoes collide to evidence the avant-garde yet nonchalant attitude of the design. With only 30 pairs available as part of a limited release for the Asics Crafts for Minds initiative, all proceeds from the sale of the shoes will go to mental health charity Mind to support them in their work.
Release information here
Balenciaga Trooper Rubber Boot
Kicking off our list is the Balenciaga Trooper, a high topped rubber boot that looks more akin to a 3D render than anything in the real world. Between engineering the next stage of Yeezy Gap and enlisting none other than Kim Kardashian for their AW22 campaign, the Paris-based brand continues to push an aesthetic that looks well-prepared for the metaverse. Constructed in Italy, the Trooper Boot arrives fully moulded from TPU with a squared-off toe box and deep treaded outsole. This one-piece build ensures a seamless transition from collar to floor in a minimal and effortless way. With a choice of Black, Grey and Green colourways, the Trooper Boot is sure to slip effortlessly into the modern wardrobe alongside wide-legged trousers and straight-leg denim.
Available here
Adieu Paris x Browns Type 134 Leather Gaitor Derby
In an exclusive offering for Browns customers, Parisian footwear specialists Adieu display their expertise in leather by going all out on a brash and maximal version of the traditional Derby shoe. Hitting the ground hard in a solid combination of polished black leather and a durable rubber sole, the Type 134 is built to last and built to turn heads with its buckle-fastened gaiters and thick topstitch finishing. This outer ‘armour plating’ is completely removable, leaving behind a simple and clean derby shoe shape if the wearer so desires. The entire upper is held together by contrast white thread, a nicely considered detail that brings an added dimension to the smooth and crisp leather. The injected rubber sole completes the shoe, with a deep and interesting tread of mixed arrangements beneath a finely ribbed midsole that is sure to stand the test of time.
Available here
Reebok x Maison Margiela Décortiqué Tabi Bianchetto Classic Sneaker
There are few things in footwear more prominently recognisable than Maison Margiela’s Tabi boots, a split-toe shoe that draws inspiration from the Japanese socks of the same name. Following on from Instapump Fury and Club C releases, the artisanal fashion house continue their ongoing association with Reebok to utilise ‘Décortiqué’, a word that translates as ‘hulled’ or ‘shelled’. The shoes therefore act as a cage or skeleton, with various cut-outs along the sides and rear of the foot to expose the wearer's socks (or feet). These classic sneakers come in Margiela’s signature Bianchetto finish - a patchy matte white that resembles the strokes of a paintbrush - and the usual perforated toe and racetrack sole unit that exist on the regular Reebok Classic. Although the fashion house is a little less shrouded in mystery than it used to be, they are still very particular about who they collaborate with and when, a testament to the enduring impact of Reebok’s presence in the sneaker market and beyond.
Available here
Adidas x Parley 4DFWD
For our next entry, Adidas once again team up with long-time partners Parley For The Oceans on a special edition of the 4DFWD silhouette that was originally introduced for the Tokyo Olympics. While Parley collaborations have typically been reserved for ‘lifestyle’ offerings from the Three Stripes, the 4DFWD is at its core a performance shoe. This most recent edition of Adidas’ 4D sole technology has been re-engineered to provide even greater cushioning and propulsion within its web of mesh strands to enact precise support zones and shock-proof impact absorption. It wouldn’t be a Parley shoe without a consideration for the environment, and the sole unit contains around 50% recycled ocean plastic in a continued effort to remove waste from our seas and convert them to functional material. The upper of the 4DFWD is constructed from partially recycled yarns used in the brand’s Primeknit technology, while Parley’s signature marine colour palette can be found in the form of thick stitching running around the entire length of the shoe.
Release information here
SIXTH MAN
Givenchy Shark Lock Biker Ankle Boot
Last but certainly not least, our special guest is none other than Givenchy’s Shark Lock Biker Boot: an obtrusive and excessive effort that brings a striking sculptural quality to the floor. Thick grained calfskin leather is the material of choice for the upper, as the vast hood area covers most of the shoe except from where a small section of the toe box and the sole are allowed to protrude. While predominantly a slip-on, the boots also feature a hidden zipper on the inside of the foot and an additional leather band that wraps around the top of the collar. A Chevron-marked midsole is allowed to poke out from the bottom as part of a futuristic unit that includes an embossed logo treatment, adding to an aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place in a scene from Star Wars. Of course, a boot this grand would not be complete without Givenchy monogram padlocks on the lateral side of each foot and further branded clasps on the medial side. For those with the confidence for wear, the Shark Lock Biker Boots preside on the very edge of what we are used to, while the premium durable construction ensures a long period of use.
Available here
