Starting Five: Product Highlights [June 22]
Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander, Nike & SCRY
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…
With everyone in and out of the industry focused on Paris and the future of footwear releases, we’ve had our eyes on a few pairs available right now. From re-interpreted classics by established houses to innovative sustainable sportswear design and the realisation of futuristic conceptual design, we’ve put together our favourite releases from the month of June. In case your eyes were heavily locked on the runways, here’s our selection of our favourite releases right now…
Nike ISPA Link
As Nike moves towards a more circular design economy, the ISPA Link is their latest contemporary experimental project in manufacturing more sustainable products. Described as a philosophy, ISPA (Improvise, Scavenge, Protect, Adapt) is the ‘pinnacle experimental expression’ in the sportswear brand’s array of core design beliefs.
The modular shoes feature a 3-part interlocking system that has no need for an adhesive for each section of the shoe, instead utilising tension to ‘link’ each part together. A no-adhesive modular footwear design has so much potential in developing how designers consider not only footwear but the way materials can be swapped out for other possibilities, opening up an entirely new lane of progression for footwear design. Inspired by the earlier Nike Presto Clip and, a CONCEPTKICKS favourite, Zvezdochka, the design blends the Flyknit fabric outer layer with the sole’s tooling to create a sculptured seamless appearance, all the while being made entirely from recycled materials. Available in four colourways, an evolved version dubbed the Link Axis is expected to arrive in early 2023.
Available here
Bottega Veneta Trail
As the luxury fashion house continues to respond to the outdoor trend, their recently released ‘Trail’ shoe blends the brand’s staple monochromatic opulent design ethos with sleek trail-inspired qualities. With the shoe being designed as an ‘ultra lightweight lace-up sneaker’, the details really show this to be the case. A two-part design, the wearer has the option to wear the full style with the inner detachable tech knit sock and outer together, or to separate the elements to be their own independent footwear options.
Simple yet striking in design, the one-piece moulded outer employs a silhouette-focused tread detailing alongside the fringed asymmetric lacing system, opposing the utilitarian focus in design of most trail shoes. This exo-skeletal ribcage-like design certainly stands out through challenging the expectations of both luxury fashion and outdoor performance markets. Finalising the pair is the rippling tread design of the pair which nods to the Bottega triangle insignia that the house is so well known for.
Available here
Dries Van Noten Lug Loafer
Typically known for his eccentricity as a designer, Dries Van Noten’s work is usually recognisable for its colour, print, fabrication and layering, all of which is contrasted almost entirely by this loafer. This luxurious and alternative take on the classic boat shoe features an elevated rubber sole with increased lugs that speak to the trend of oversized footwear in an understated tone that aligns the design mentality within that of Dries’ identity.
Through the slightly exaggerated size of the sole the loafers take on a more contemporary sensibility, while still retaining the impact of the classic loafer details found in the fully leather upper, leather lace trims and metal eyelet detailing of the upper design. Standing out in Van Noten’s releases for its simplicity, the shoe is another example of updating classics without taking away from what makes the original work.
Available here
Jil Sander Elba Lace Up Boot
As updated classics go, the Elba Lace-Up Boot is one of the latest in applying a contemporary twist to an instantly recognisable classic. In keeping with the staple design of the combat boot, this pair features a traditional lacing system enhanced by silver-tone hardware, alongside a pull-tab loop on the heel. Contrasting the traditional design features is the sole unit of the boot, elevating it through the addition of a thermoplastic polyurethane air bubble at the heel, being coloured a transparent blue on the black pair and a matching monochromatic tone on the white pair, complementing the subtly treaded branded rubber outsole.
Through utilising a blend of the old and new, this pair shows how to both maintain the success of an original design while also offering a fresh perspective. Always producing both classically clean elevated execution, the boots bring a subtle hint of technicality to the aesthetic of Jil Sander which is built on expertly crafted classics. This move to more adventurous design of the classics by Jil is something we’re definitely here for.
Available here
SCRY Core Shadow Boot
The Shadow Boot represents the mastery of 3D digital design by Zixiong Wei, SCRY - a long time feature on CONCEPTKICKS. SCRY’s digital renders of intricate organic-looking structured footwear take cyber-gothic influences into new directions, especially now as they venture into the physical world of footwear design. The Core Shadow Boot is described as the ‘starting point’ of SCRY’s ‘evolutionary theory’, being a way of exploring the versatility of design through the pair itself as well as its accompanying accessories package.
The 3D printed shoe features a highly detailed cushioning system, with the single piece outer with slits in the sole to reveal the nest design underneath. An optional attachment comes in the form a sheepskin cover, reminiscent of gaiters for military boots, which elongates the whole silhouette and draws focus to the sole. An accompanying detail we appreciate is the TPU waterproof airbag packaging for SCRY CORE, putting the focus on sustainability while also being customisable for participants of the project. Providing both customised information for the outer surface of the bag and an exclusive ID card for the CORE collectors, the Shadow Boot provides innovation in every aspect of its presentation.
Available here
