DC Shoes is paying homage to the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat with a new collaboration that features 21 paintings from his most prolific year. The DC x Basquiat collection, which will be released on August 7, channels the artist through a range of out-of-the-box footwear and apparel that take on the talent’s distinct style.
Fans of Basquiat may be familiar with the artist’s impressive output from 1981 to 1982, when the then 21-year-old artist found himself in an extremely creative state. Inspired by this, the footwear in the collection applies these works to a wide range of staple DC styles such as the popular new Manual and the classic Lynx Zero. The Manual Hi features an asymmetrical cut with a print that includes all 21 of the paintings used in the series, painstakingly set on 21 different panels. Serving to tell Basquiat’s complete story from this time period, the Manual Hi sneakers are designed as a true work of art. Certain models in the capsule also speak to the specific qualities of the artist, like a pair of fun kids-specific slip-ons that include a print made from Basquiat’s more youthful works.
DC and Basquiat have also created a game-changing shoe called the Basquiat Hybrid for this series. The never-seen-before shoe combines two of the brand’s Heritage styles — the Lynx OG and the Legacy OG — into a single sneakerand will be released one week later on August 14. Modeled by DC skateboarder Jahmir Brown, the Basquiat Hybrid sneaker provides ample support while skating or running around downtown, in addition to inspiring those who wear it. “Being a minority and seeing someone who looks like me expressing themselves to the fullest gave me a sense of freedom as well,” says Brown. Influenced by Basquiat, the athlete aspires to be himself and to “give nothing other than the fullest version of myself when it comes to [his] art.”
Check out the collection and the paintings used to create the footwear and apparel in this series in the images above. The special Basquiat Hybrid sneaker will be dropping on August 7, and the rest of the DC Shoes x Basquiat collection will be available on August 14 through the brand’s website and at select global retailers.
WACKO MARIA‘s love of pop culture and art inspired a bevy of Spring/Summer 2021 joint efforts, including yet another collaboration with the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Again, the Japanese brand is elevating lightweight rayon and Lyocell Hawaiian shirts with the late artist’s inimitable scrawls, yielding statement layering pieces ideal for summer stunting.
Featuring works like Untitled (History of the Black People), Untitled (Head) and Obnoxious Liberals (the latter of which amusingly retains its “NOT FOR SALE” verbiage even as it graces an expensive shirt), WACKO MARIA’s latest drop is as colorful as anything it’s recently released, with the lush all-over prints displaying all the bold hues that make Basquiat’s work so magnetizing. The garments retain WACKO MARIA’s preferred cut — trim but not slim, with lapels to match — which ensures that despite their light weight, they’ll retain a tailored shape.
Basquiat’s oeuvre is like catnip for fashion brands, as evidenced by myriad recent collections from the likes of UNIQLO UT, COMME des GARÇONS SHIRT and Coach. It’s all part of a worldwide obsession with the artist’s influential back catalogue, which continues to stir up controversy and fetch record auction prices.
All of the Basquiat shirts will retail for ¥36,300 JPY – ¥38,500 JPY (approximately $333 USD – $353 USD) when they launch May 1 on WACKO MARIA’s website.
As even more licensed merch rolls out, showcases of Basquiat’s work continue to draw curious crowds.
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