KICKS: Chitose Abe and the Swoosh Connect for a sacai x Nike Cortez Collab in This Week's Best Footwear Drops

August is jogging down to a close and the last official month of what has been quite the eventful Summer 2022 is approaching. And ahead of Labor Day Weekend, notable footwear imprints such as Nike (NYSE:NKE -0.96%) , adidas (XETRA:ADS.DE -2.10%) and ASICS (TOKYO:7936.T -2.19%) are fitting in a sizable amount of hot collaborations and general releases, but before we sift through those, let’s first break down all of the bigger sneaker-related headlines that turned up last week.

Sole Mates — Hypebeast‘s weekly sneaker feature series — tapped renowned graffiti artist FAUST to discuss his intricate SB Dunk High collaboration, how he developed his calligraphic style and more. Additionally, adidas announced that its current CEO Kasper Rorsted will be stepping down in 2023, so we took a dive into what the brand could be doing moving forward to keep its fans engaged.

On the news front, we caught an official look at the COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS x Nike Air Max 97 in black, a closer look at the busy Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Dunk Low “Overgrown” colorawy and TITAN’s Nike LeBron 19 Low “Beyond The Seas.” Jordan Brand also had a handful of kicks to show off as well including an alternate green Air Jordan 7 colorway from Bephie’s Beauty Supply, Jayson Tatum’s Ford Mustang Air Jordan 14 PE and the Jordan Granville Pro — the brand’s newest lifestyle silhouette.

adidas made sure to make sure we felt its presence as well. The Three Stripes executed a global launch of its newest Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Low “Blue Tint,”previewed the adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “MX Grey” and shared an initial glance at the adidas YEEZY 450 “Stone Flax.” Elsewhere in the world of shoes, Clarks and Moncler announced their joint collection, Maison Margiela and Reebok presented the Zig CR and New Balance unveiled a crispy New Balance 2002R “Calm Taupe” installment.

Now that we’ve got you up to speed, let’s get into this week’s top 10 launches here below. And when you finish checking those out, be sure to browse the HBX online store for more footwear styles.

sacai x Nike Cortez “White/University Red”

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The Darkside Initiative

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The Darkside Initiative

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The Darkside Initiative

Release Date: August 31
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS and The Darkside Initiative (Raffle Closed)
Why You Should Cop: Chitose Abe is poised to enter the chapter of her ongoing partnership with Nike this week but introducing her own take of the classic Cortez in a Forrest Gump-reminiscent colorway. The classic silhouette has been modernized with her signature double-stacked design language as there are now two tongues and multiple Swoosh logos. More dimension has been added to the sole unit to give the kicks more of a tech-y feel and the forefoot now exposes a small Zoom unit.

Nike Dunk High “Desert Camo”

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Nike

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Nike

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Nike

Release Date: August 31
Release Price: $135 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Dunks continue to dominate the marketplace as Nike continues to pump out a plethora of new colorways every month. And next up for the hoops-turned-lifestyle model is a new “Desert Camo” iteration for the ladies. Base layers discard their normal leather fabrics and bring in canvas materials reminiscent of military jackets, and these are completely swathed in sandy camo patterns.

Tom Sachs x NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe “Archive”

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Nike

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Nike

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Nike

Release Date: September 1 (NikeCraft), September 2 (SNKRS)
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: NikeCraft and SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Tom Sachs and the Swoosh are reuniting to broaden their range of the NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe with a new “Archive” colorway. Unlike the inaugural release, this latest iteration takes a more bold approach as the uppers shine with a golden yellow base complemented with angelic Swooshes, creamy midsoles and black treading. 

Stüssy x Converse Chuck 70 “Surfman”

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Stüssy

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Stüssy

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Stüssy

Release Date: September 1
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Stüssy and Converse are back at it again with a new collaborative installment of the classic Chuck 70 Hi. Like the duo’s last project, the uppers on this variation have been crafted with a breathable, earth-friendly hemp, but they’ve been fashioned with a more vivid plumeria hue. California essence is further echoed by a Surfman logo that shows face in black on the lateral panels.

CLOT x Jordan Delta 2 “Flint”

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Clot

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Clot

Release Date: September 2
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: JUICE
Why You Should Cop: CLOT and Jordan Brand’s latest Jordan Delta 2 collaboration is a homage to one of MJ’s most iconic retro offerings: the Air Jordan 13 “Flint.” The sneakers does its best impersonation of the classic kicks by ushering in pockmarked panels that are fitted in navy and Jordan-branded hang tags that are equipped with green holograms.

adidas Hu NMD S1 RYAT “Cardboard”

Adidas

Release Date: September 2
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Pharrell and his adidas camp are gearing up for major expansion in this second half of 2022, and one silhouette that is leading the way is the adidas Hu NMD S1 RYAT. Next in line to release to the public is a “Cardboard” colorway which is engineered with a blend of neutral tones and vibrant accents to make for a fitting pick-up heading into the Fall season.

adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Slate”

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Adidas

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Adidas

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Adidas

Release Date: September 2
Release Price: $230 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: You might be tired of seeing new colorways of the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 every month, but as long as Ye and the adidas team keep seeing this model sell out, it’s going to keep on trucking along. On deck for the lifestyle silhouette is a new “Slate” colorway which covers a majority of its PrimeKnit upper half in its titular shade while a solid black side strip sits adjacent. Ribbed midsole units down below are loaded up with the usual BOOST cushioning for a comfy ride.

Air Jordan 6 “Georgetown”

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Nike

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Nike

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Nike

Release Date: September 3
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: One tendency that we see from Jordan Brand is that it will often allow its various retro silhouettes to channel the same motifs. The “Georgetown” theme is one that we’ve seen apply to styles like the Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 1 Hi ‘85, and now we’re seeing drop off on the Air Jordan 6. A Hoya-inspired gray covers a majority of the real estate her while notes of navy blue accent through the toggles and midsole molds.

PSG x Air Jordan 5 Low

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Nike

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Nike

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Nike

Release Date: September 3
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: As a Jordan-sponsored football club, PSG has the luxury of linking up with the brand for various apparel and footwear collections. After cooking up collaborative Air Jordan 4s, AIr Jordan 1s and more, the two entities have merged once again to introduce an Air Jordan 5 Low makeup. The muted beige uppers are accessorized by Paris-influenced hits such as the Paname tags which are adorned with the France flag colors and the heels which come embellished with the club’s logo in “wax” form.

PLEASURES x ASICS GEL-LYTE III

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Pleasures

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Pleasures

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Pleasures

Release Date: September 3
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: PLEASURES
Why You Should Cop: After introducing a GEL-KAYANO 14 capsule alongside JJJJound, ASICS has tossed itself back to the collaboration ring for a two-pronged capsule with PLEASURES. One rendition comes manufactured with a mix of white and gray uppers and bears a bold red PLEASURES logo on back while the other is formed with various gray panels, purple tiger stripes and teal piping.

ART: Joseph Lee Presents 'Passive. Aggression' at GR Gallery

After several years of collaborations, Joseph Lee is set to unveil his first solo exhibition at GR Gallery in New York.

As his first showing in nearly three years, Passive. Aggression presents a series of 14 portrait paintings created in Lee’s signature abstract style. Each artwork was made during the pandemic and reflects a duality of emotions felt by the artist during this time.

“Lee is both Korean and American, husband and son, actor and painter, passive and aggressive,” wrote a release on the show. “Lee’s subject matters grapple with the way his liminality and thus, lack of a solid identity, began to impact the world he inhabited.”

In times of duress, Lee resorts to painting as a way to isolate and understand the emotions within him — a mode of expression that he was unable to articulate. Passive. Aggression will go on view at GR Gallery from September 8 to October 1.

Elsewhere, U.S. Customs seized a potentially 3,000-year-old Egyptian artifact shipped to Memphis.

GR Gallery
255 Bowery
New York, NY 10002

LOUIS VUITTON DROPS $2,280 USD PING PONG SET///TRACEE ELLIS ROSS MAKES AN EDITORIAL CASE FOR "GARAGE GLAM" WITH BANTU KNOTS

Louis Vuitton continues to expand its luxurious assortment of accessories with the release of the James Ping Pong set. The label’s interpretation made its first appearance in 2017 alongside other elevated pieces. Two years later, it was reintroduced in a black and gray monogram design and hailed as its most significant launch yet.

In its latest iteration, the French maison crafts the table tennis paddles in light wood with deep red pads. The set also features gold-toned LV hardware and a soft pink monogrammed leather trim that adds a touch of elegance to the design. A standout detail also includes the luxury label’s branded cover that is defined in a quintessential brown and tan tone with blush trim. Elsewhere, gold-toned hardware and zippers complete the final touches. A small tag attached to the paddle makes a statement as it secures four LV-branded balls in place.

Take a closer look at the gallery above. Priced at $2,280 USD, the James Ping Pong Set is now available at Louis Vuitton’s stores.Tracee Ellis Ross is known for infusing chic streetwear with an editorial touch and her hair and makeup moments mirror that skill. Ross’s hairstylist, Nai’vasha Johnson posted a sneak peek into Ross’s glam for a Pattern Beauty shoot, and her Bantu knots sealed the deal on our feelings.

Johnson crafted the knots on the larger side, with three to frame the front of her head and a few more in the back. The Bantu knots were also accompanied by the perfect stylization of under exaggerated baby hairs. As fall is approaching, the Bantu knots mentioned here are the perfect transitional style as we go from warmer to cooler months. Not only can they be worn all year round, but the knots are an easy and manageable protective choice for your hair that doesn’t require heat.

We’ve seen Ross sport this hairstyle before and know that this may be one of her signatures in addition to her curly tresses, so that being said, we’re sure we’ll be seeing her around fashion month sporting Bantu knots. For more inspiration, see more of the bold beauty choice below.

VENUS SNOT IS EVERY KINKY MAXIMALIST'S DREAM

Unlike most of us who spent quarantine indoors pondering life, Pennsylvania-based creator Venus, used her downtime to create Venus Snot: an opulent and hyper-feminine take on BDSMand kink wear.

Pulling inspo from “chandeliers, love, classic kink and fetishwear, and all things shiny,” Venus revealed that her designs “are intended to provoke conversation, promote positive sexuality and add some maximalism to any outfit.” From pearl ball gags to pearl thongs, her pieces exude divine energy while inspiring the raunchiest of sexual energy. A kinky, maximalist dream.

It’s rare to witness sex-positive women of color in BDSM and kink without an undertone of fetishization. Yet Venus’ take on kink wear as a woman of color is soft and enticing. And most importantly — her own.

Keep reading for more on Venus Snot and a word on styling opulent kink wear.

What inspired you to create pearl BDSM gear and accessories?

I think the BDSM and kink scene can be really intimidating for anyone looking to get involved. Partly because a lot of the “traditional” BDSM aesthetic is black leather or latex and chunky silver and presents an overall hard and aggressive visual. My original goal was to soften the look of BDSM without removing any of the core elements that make it what it is. Which is why I started with one of the most universally recognized kink visuals — a ball gag.

I also intend for my pieces to be worn as everyday jewelry. My personal style is really feminine with a bit of an edge and I love when fashion incorporates fetishwear such as harnesses and collars. A lot of the commercially available options do not really fit with my outfits, so I just started making my own.

Your Instagram bio reads: “It’s probably made of pearls right?” Is this alluding to the use of other materials? If so, what materials do you use?

That line is more of a reference to the name than the materials I use. I imagine the goddess Venus having really pretty snot, like it’s probably pearly and iridescent. As for materials though, I use faux pearls for most of the BDSM accessories, simply because they’re lightweight, durable and more affordable — for myself and my customers — than authentic pearls. That being said, all of my non-fetish inspired pieces use authentic freshwater pearls and glass or crystal beads. I try to use all gold-fill, steel or sterling silver for the findings.

Venus Snot

What inspired the name Venus Snot?

I wanted a name that referenced the beauty of what I create but that was also a little weird. Venus is the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sex, desire and fertility — but imagine her tied up and drooling on a gag. I’ve always been fascinated with blood, spit, scars, and all the “gross” or “not pretty” parts of bodies. But so many of these things come up in sex, whether intentionally or not. Venus Snot is sort of combining these things and finding the beauty in the gross and mundane parts of bodies and sex. Relating back to kinks and fetishes though, messy sex is incredibly sexy and so many kinks involve making a mess. I wanted that to be referenced in the name, as well, sort of creating that mental image of Venus having weird messy sex.

What’s your favorite way to style the pearl ball gag for kink play?

For play sessions, I like to pair it with nipple clamps — coming soon — or an internal vibrator. I’m definitely a multi-stimulatory type of girl. But I love when my customers send me photos of themselves wearing the gag as a necklace! Most of my BDSM pieces are also meant to be worn as regular jewelry. It’s a little cheeky and fun to go about your day with a sex toy around your neck.

Venus Snot

As a sex-positive woman and brand, what hopes do you have for your brand’s future?

I’d really love for my brand to open safe conversations about sex and sexuality, specifially about inclusivity within BDSM spaces and about exploring kinks and fetishes. As a kinky queer sex-positive Black woman, it’s hard to find media that is not only inclusive of these identities but that celebrates them and depicts them accurately without harmful stereotypes. Moving forward, I want to expand beyond just accessories and create larger collaborative works with other artists. I’m working on a zine right now about sexuality and body hair — everyone has body hair, so why is it a fetish category on most porn sites? In the future I’d like to expand this project to focus on other aspects of sex that aren’t often discussed, such as sex after assault, queer sex education, sex for people with disabilities and more.

Venus Snot

Shop Venus Snot here.

FASHION: HUF DROPS "X-GIRL X HUF SOUNDS" COLLECTION Celebrating dub rhythm.

Los Angeles-based brand HUF has just revealed its X-Girl x HUF Sounds collaborative collection, paying homage to the intersection between music, fashion and sports. Founded by the iconic Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth in 1994, X-Girl is one of the first female-focused streetwear brands in an overwhelmingly male-dominated space.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary with a series of dynamic collaborations, HUF’s latest collection is a nod to dub music culture, which marries reggae with electronic music. The range infuses its garments with its musical inspiration, offering a tropical inspired color palette with hues of “Mustard,” “Forest Green” and “Burnt Orange,” along with hand-painted signage that often covers dancehall albums. Standouts include the quintessential ‘90s-esque Home Team Jersey, the boldly printed Resort Short and Short Set, the Camo Skate Pants and the Bad Gyal Tank.

Accessories come in full force as the collection’s sunglasses steal the show. Designed in collaboration with Akila, the eyewear arrives in two colorways – black frames with orange lenses and a color-block option with green frames contrasted by white tortoiseshell arms.

The HUF x X-Girl collaboration is set to release on September 1st, 2022 and will be available on HUF’s website and flagship store.