#ARTBYSKIP

FRESH KICKS: YEEZY BOOST / NEW BALANCE / KAWSx JORDAN 4

Kanye West‘s line of adidas Originals YEEZY BOOST include some of the most sought-after silhouettes and colorways that die hard sneaker fans from all over the world are trying to get their hands on. Now thanks to renowned customizers The Shoe Surgeon, the ‘Ye designed sneakers get a stunning interpretation using exotic python and a luxurious “Zebra” approach. Each pair is hand-stitched to perfection to keep the YEEZY’s toe stitch in effect, while the BOOST sole remains intact. All those interested can head over to The Shoe Surgeon’s website to make a request with prices beginning around $2,000 USD.
In other related news, Kanye West stepped out in a pair of never-before-seen adidas YEEZY BOOST 700 Wave Runners.


The Shoe Surgeon continues to give popular shoes eye-catching, unique makeovers. For his latest creation, the acclaimed sneaker-sorcerer follows up this month’s W-21 collaboration by setting his sights — and tools — on the New Balance 574 Sport. Utilizing rich python and Lycra-based leather, The Shoe Surgeon completely reworks and rejuvenates the 574 Sport, turning it something that could stand out among a sea of similar shoes.
“Exotic materials, in my opinion, indicate instant quality,” The Shoe Surgeon tells Sneaker Freaker, explaining his aesthetic choices. “I’ve made many different shoes with all sorts of different leathers — really high-grade stuff — but it can be hard for someone to justify the price of a custom shoe in their mind if there’s not something exotic about the materials.”
Originally revealed this past summer, the New Balance 574 Sport currently comes in “Wheat,” “Mint” and “Burgundy” and fall-ready iterations.
You can take an in-depth look at The Shoe Surgeon’s latest custom creation above, and check out the entire Sneaker Freaker piece.



Billy Hobbs, better known as truebluecustoms on Instagram, has taken inspiration from the KAWS x Air Jordan 4 and applied it to a custom pair of Air Jordan 8s. Donning the same grey hue as the original, the 8s get a slew of hands, fingers and double x’s in the form of embossing instead of the stitching featured on the original 4s. In addition, KAWS’ famed double x’s are painted onto the rear heel section. What’s worth mentioning is that the Cool Grey base pair seems to be the exact same AJ8s that DJ Khaled and Asahd previewed for us back in August.
Take a look for yourself at the KAWS-inspired Air Jordan 8 custom above and let us know what you think in the comments below. In case you missed it, the black “friends & family” edition of the KAWS x Air Jordan 4 does exist and Drake helped give us a closer look back in July.

STREET STYLE: DROP DEAD / BEAMS PLUS / NEW REPUBLIC

British clothing company Drop Dead has unveiled a Star Wars collaboration inspired by the latest Rogue One: A Star Wars Story film. The collection features two one-of-a-kind jackets: a denim jacket channeling the “underdog spirit of the Rebel Alliance,” featuring sewn-on patches, distressed effects, silk screen-printed graphics and hand-painted designs. The second piece is a white mesh bomber jacket featuring large Star Wars patches and a large reflective graphic printed on that back that salutes the might of the Empire. Take a look at the photo set above and watch the creative process behind the garments below. It’ll be difficult to get your hands on one of these jackets, but there’s still hope for a ready-to-wear collection in the near future.

The latest three-way collaboration involves Oregon-based boot-maker Danner, mil-spec luggage label BRIEFING and Japanese retailer BEAMS Plus for a four-piece outdoor goods collection consisting of a boot and a daypack in two different colors. The first item of the collection is a BRIEFING interpretation of the Danner Light Boot. The sturdy shoe features an upper made of nylon and full-grain leather paneling, Danner’s signature stitchdown construction, a Vibram outsole to deliver traction and stability, embossed branding on the heel counter, and breathable GORE-TEX lining to keep feet dry. The second item is a BRIEFING ”Flap” daypack that features a sturdy nylon exterior with leather details, Danner Light Boot-inspired side-lacing designs, and a Cobra buckle flap top opening. Both items come in a navy and black colorway and are available at BEAMS Plus.

American designer Mark McNairy gets the holiday season going with the launch of New Republic’s latest collection. Doing what he does best, McNairy has updated and elevated classic footwear silhouettes making them a stylish fit for nearly any occasion. The latest New Republic drop sees clean renditions of the brand’s Houston Chelsea boot as well as the Henderson buck shoe both with contrasting soles. The boot features a crepe sole and is available in brown, black, gray and tan, while the buck sits atop an EVA sole secured with contrasting top stitching, and releases in similar hues with the addition of navy. Along with the shoe lineup, New Republic is augmenting its offering of accessories with the holidays in mind. The product launch includes festive ties and handkerchiefs, as well as staple wardrobe pieces like belts and socks.
Take a look at the full range of footwear and accessories modeled by Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, and the Stone Temple Pilots here. You can get your hands on all of the products at the official New Republic website starting at $68 USD for the footwear and $6 USD for the accessories.

Jennifer Lawrence Is a Woman Alone for Dior’s Cruise 2018 Campaign

Dior has tapped actress Jennifer Lawrence to front its desert-themed Cruise 2018 campaign. Lawrence poses in a clay-baked home sporting looks that are flowy and patterned. The collection is inspired by American artist Georgia O’Keeffe who created stunning paintings of the Mexican landscape. Maria Grazia Chiuri continues to put the raw woman at the center of the brand’s advertising, recently debuting a new version of the feminist tee. She comments:

“When I started becoming interested in the desert, in the course of my quest for inspiration I came across the extraordinary work of Georgia O’Keeffe, a modern shaman, with her recognizably majestic and solemn look in the sand of New Mexico. A research that is above all an inner journey, in itself and within its own feminine identity.”

Taylor Hill Plays an Angel and Devil For ‘LOVE’ Advent With Two Videos

Double the Hill by Hype Williams and Phil Poynter.

 

Taylor Hill must be special because she got a double the love on Day 14 in LOVE‘s 2016 advent calendar – not even Kim Kardashian got that special treatment.
Video one was lensed by British director Phil Poynter, paying homage to an iconic scene in Jean-Luc Godard’s Le Mepris. Hill looks innocent with satin pink lingerie – reciting come-hither words to a French man. The second Hype Williams-directed video turns naughty – it’s a red hot production to Azealia Banks’ “212.” Her sparkling red pout is thanks to Pat McGrath’s 004 Lust Lip Kit.
Watch the video above and below and be sure to watch more sensual LOVE videos – Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski and more star.

Gucci 2017

Alessandro Michele’s world at Gucci is not without its magic and myths. For Pre-Fall 2017 the designer turned to old and new world symbolism with Ouroboros – the mythological serpent that eats its own tail – to play with Snoopy and Donald Duck.
Each collection is a seductive chapter and there’s no escaping the color or Michele glitz. Shot inside an old Rome bookstore and apothecary, both were the backdrop to the old world story the designer wanted to weave. There’s an utter Bohemian overload per look – classic red & green with pink & glitter and it still looks harmonious.

 

 

 

 

 

Following a romantic ode to old world Rome with Pre-Fall 2017, Alessandro Michele drops the Spring/Summer 2017 campaign with unlikely co-stars – lions and tigers.
Gucci told Dazed:

“Wild cats nonchalantly roam the romantic city alongside our characters, a giraffe is fed grapes as they dine al fresco, and lions and tigers are welcomed into their home as they watch TV.”

There’s lions and tigers strolling around while models chow down on hamburgers with nonchalance. The Glen Luchford-campaign was lensed around Rome, including the notable Trevi Fountain – in which a tiger is waddling around.
Check out the editorial above and the campaign video below. Alessandro Michele is proving that inspiration doesn’t come in any short supply.