Nike has announced the official release of a very fashion-forward sneaker collaboration just days ahead of New York Fashion Week.
The sporting apparel giant teamed up with Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo to create the forthcoming NikeLab Dunk Hi x Comme des Garçons sneakers. The footwear was expected to be released this week, according to a Nike press release.
Aptly dubbed “the invisible sneakers,” the shoes were inspired by the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale of the “Emperor’s New Clothes.” The concept was tied to Kawakubo’s Spring 2017 Comme des Garcons Homme Plus collection, which debuted in Paris last June and featured male models in clear PVC trench coats and overcoats. The Dunks made their official sartorial debut at the June show, as well.
The sneakers were speaking to the story’s concepts of “transparency” and “invisibility” (referencing said Emperor’s invisible apparel in the story), featuring transparent uppers with black leather overlay. Ventilation holes were added along the vamp and medial quarter.
The collaboration sneakers were not the first time NikeLab and the luxury fashion brand have partnered to debut a high-fashion shoe. The NikeLab Air Vapor Max x Comme des Garçons sneakers first made an appearance at the Comme des Garçons Spring 2017 show in October, as well.
The news NikeLab Dunk Hi x Comme des Garçons kicks were expected to be available Wednesday at Comme des Garçons in New York City. In honor of the debut, there was an exclusive release event scheduled for Comme des Garçons’ boutique location in the Chelsea neighborhood, according to Vogue. The sneakers will also be made available at Dover Street Market.
Sneakerheads will also be overjoyed to learn that the two previous NikeLab and Comme des Garçons collaboration shoes — NikeLab Air Moc Mid x Comme des Garçons shoes and the NikeLab VaporMax x Comme des Garçons sneakers — were also expected to debut at Comme des Garçons New York Wednesday.
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