Nike Air Force 1 High

My choice of all three Air Force 1 silhouettes is the original Hi-Top which is often overlooked by Nike in favour of the Low and Mid-Top versions. This month Nike release 3 awesome editions of the AF1 High in Premium leather. Black with Studded Strap, White with Perforated Uppers and, my personal pick, the Deep Burgundy workwear inspired boot.

New Nikes

It's been a very long time since I've felt the urge to purchase any Swoosh-related footwear but then all of a sudden two pairs caught my eye.

First up is the Magma AC Quickstrike. This ACG hiking style boot features a gum medium brown premium leather upper sitting nicely upon a black vulcanised 'blazer like' sole, leather lining, mesh tongue and red laces.

Next up is the DJ AM Tribute Dunk Hi featuring premium leather & patent uppers. A really nice touch is the leather tongue & tongue label featuring the DJ AM logo. Definitely a fitting tribute to the DJ/Sneakerhead who died prematurely last year.

My Top Ten Sneakers of 2009: 5-1

1. Supreme x Nike Bruin SB.
This year's Sup/Nike collab brought back the Bruin for the first time in years. Suede finish, metallic insoles/swoosh and even an embossed box logo on the midsole made these instant classics.
2. Air Jordan III True Blue.
Great quality reissue of one of Mike's finest.
3. Supreme x Vans Half Cab.
All over mini-checkerboard with a red lining? Yes please!
4. Vans Christian Hosoi Sk8 Hi.
Stunning quality perforated leather from a true skateboarding legend.
5. Nike Dunk Hi SB RESN.
Sam Smyth's 2005 colourway finally saw the light of day in 2009. Worth the wait.

My Top Ten Sneakers of 2009: 10-6

6: Nike Air Yeezy.
The ultimate "Marmite" shoe - love it or hate it you can't deny the impact Nike's first ever non-athlete branded shoe kicked up.
7. Vans Chukka Del Barco LX.
Vans hit the spot with their premium leather take on the boat shoe.
8. Air Jordan V Raging Bull.
The classic AJV given a new spin with this bright red suede finish.
9. Nike Vintage Blazer Hi.
If they were good enough for Tony Alva in the Dogtown-era they're good enough for me!
10. The Hundreds Johnson Mid.
I've never been a fan of this clothing label but I really like this clean & simple shoe.

Old & New

The Art of Shoe Stores

Some independent footwear retailers are more like art galleries than retail outlets, here is a small selection of some stunning interior design.

World's most Expensive Heelflip?

Louis Flip from ibn jasper on Vimeo.

So what do you do if your Kanye's personal Barber & he hooks you up with a fresh pair of $1140 Louis Vuitton sneakers and a $8250 Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Skateboard ... ? You slip those joints on and pop out a killer Heelflip that's what - Respect to Jasper for making LV fiends the world-over cry!

Nike Vintage Blazer Hi

Nike Sportswear have just released these stunning "vintage-style" Blazers in premium mottled leather. They also happen to come in my two favorite colourways - White/Red and White/Black. Featuring the original Blazer silhouette, with the fat swoosh, these look a whole lot nicer than the Footlocker retros from 2001.

Supreme x Vans - Half Cabs

Here's a look at one (of two) styles of the next upcoming collaboration between Supreme & Vans Off The Wall. Taking the classic Half Cab once again, this time with an all-over checkerboard print (which is fine by me!). These remind me of the amazing BMX-Inspired Half Cabs Supreme did a few years ago. Tasty!

Takashi Kumagai Leopard Aviation Collection

How awesome are these!!!

Starks Chomper Laces

Congratulations to my boys Leo & Alex for pulling off the accessory of the year! Their collaboration with KAWS has finally released after they told me about it back in August 2008. Strictly limited to Original Fake dealerships including the stunning O.F boutique in Aoyama. For information on Starks in the UK email polkadotagency@gmail.com.
Nice one guys!

Shiny Disco Wheels

I'm not a great fan of the Three Stripes but these wild Promodels from designer Jeremy Scott really caught my attention. Looking like something straight outta "Saturday Night Fever" you're gonna have to really dress down to pull these bad boys off!

Vinti Andrews for Nike

Yesterday I saw these cool creations by artist/designer/ex Central St. Martins student Vinti Andrews. Both the pitbull and the Stepper bike are made entirely of Nike Dunks. Apparently the pitbull has a companion at Loveless in Aoyama, Tokyo.

http://www.vintiandrews.com/

Ron Burgundy Dunks

Anchorman's Ron Burgundy is the tenuous inspiration for this latest release.
Nike SB apparently can't just pick nice colours, there has to be some kind of story behind every shoe. Anyway, it's a nice clean shoe & a quality movie so ... "Stay Classy San Diego"

AJ3 UK Release Date

Air Jordan III True Blue Retro - UK Release Date Saturday 8th August 2009

Leopards vs Snakes

Leopards
Snakes

Vans - Hurry Up Already!!!

VANS VAULT CHUKKA DEL BARCO.

At the start of the year when I first saw these beauties, scheduled for Fall/Winter 09, I was really hoping that Vans would push these forward to an early Summer release as they have "June evening BBQ boats" written all over them! Sadly we have to wait & hope the UK decides to grace us with an Indian Summer in Sept/Oct.

Air Jordan III True Blue - Imminent Re-Release

AJIII True Blue 2009 Retro

Lily Allen rockin' the 3s

My pair of 2001 Retros

Jordan fans all over the planet are getting hype for the soon to be re-re-released classics - The Air Jordan III True Blues. First released in 1988 & then retro'd in 2001 the "True Blues" have become one of the most-loved AJs ever. Rumor has it that this late August release will be restricted to Europe & Asia but when Nike/Jordan Brand smell the ca$h this is more than likely to change. The colours appear far more vivid than on the previous release - I've included pics of my beaten up old pair for comparision.