Tag: sneakers

  • Valentino And Vans Unveil Ai-driven Campaign For Innovative Capsule Collection

    Valentino And Vans Unveil Ai-driven Campaign For Innovative Capsule Collection

    Luxury fashion house Maison Valentino and popular footwear brand Vans have joined forces to launch an innovative campaign that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) for a new capsule collection. This ingenious blend of physical and digital storytelling is a testament to the evolving frontiers of fashion marketing.

    The AI-Infused Campaign and Collection

    The campaign visuals were produced by AI, utilizing raw footage from Maison Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2025 Paris runway show where the collection was initially showcased. Guided by Maison Valentino’s Alessandro Michele’s vision, the team has imaginatively redefined the classic silhouette of Vans Authentic sneakers. This transformation retains the distinctiveness of Valentino and the originality of Vans through canvas uppers adorned in a spectrum of vibrant prints.

    The novel design features a checkerboard motif, overlapping patterns, and dynamic motion graphics. According to Michele, the product is a surreal and dreamlike fresco where nature erupts.

    The Collection Details

    The collection consists of six styles tailored for both men and women, each distinguished by a unique ‘I Love Valentino x Vans’ print that evokes the style of souvenir typography.

    The collaborative Valentino Garavani and Vans sneakers are available for purchase on both the brands’ official websites. A special edition of the collection will also be presented in Valentino boutiques globally and at the Vans’ London flagship store, with sales commencing this Friday.

    Questions & Answers

    What is unique about the new campaign by Maison Valentino and Vans?
    The campaign is notable for its use of artificial intelligence to generate visuals, blending physical and digital storytelling.

    Who is the creative force behind the redesigned silhouette of Vans Authentic sneakers?
    The redesign was guided by Maison Valentino’s Alessandro Michele, who ensured that the distinctiveness of both brands was preserved in the new design.

    Where can the Valentino Garavani and Vans sneakers be purchased?
    The sneakers are available on both companies’ official websites, as well as in Valentino boutiques worldwide and at the Vans’ London flagship store.

  • ABC-mart Debuts In Philippines With ‘grand Stage’ Store, Marking New Chapter In Asian Expansion

    ABC-mart Debuts In Philippines With ‘grand Stage’ Store, Marking New Chapter In Asian Expansion

    Japanese retail giant ABC-Mart is set to make its first appearance in the Philippines with the opening of a store in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Manila, scheduled for September. This marks the corporate expansion of the company into a second market in the region following a successful launch in Vietnam which took place in 2022.

    Overseas Expansion

    ABC-Mart currently operates nearly 400 stores overseas, predominantly in South Korea and Taiwan. The company is also actively investigating opportunities for growth in other Asian countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.

    According to Kabir Buxani, the incoming CEO of Sonak Retail Group – the local partner of ABC-Mart – BGC is an ideal location for the brand’s first store in the Philippines. “BGC has a lively atmosphere and sets the tone for fashion in the region,” Buxani indicated.

    The Grand Stage Store

    The store, dubbed as the “Grand Stage,” will span two levels, covering an area of 750 square meters. It is expected to stock over 1,000 products including limited-edition sneakers, sandals, and clothing from major brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Asics, and New Balance.

    In addition, the store will showcase the company’s first-ever wellness corner worldwide, integrating footwear with lifestyle products.

    Koji Higashimae, CEO of ABC-Mart Sonak Philippines, stated that the company’s aspiration is to achieve a balance between variety and accessibility. “Our belief is that style should not compromise comfort and high-quality fashion should be within everyone’s reach,” Higashimae explained.

    Furthermore, the company has plans to open a second outlet later in the year at Mitsukoshi in BGC.

    Questions & Answers

    What is ABC-Mart’s expansion strategy in Asia?
    ABC-Mart is strategically expanding its retail footprint in Asia, having already established stores in South Korea and Taiwan. The company has now stepped into the Philippines and Vietnam, with future prospects in Thailand and Indonesia.

    What can customers expect at the new ABC-Mart store in BGC, Manila?
    Customers can look forward to a wide variety of over 1,000 products, including clothing, limited-edition sneakers, and sandals from well-known brands like Nike, Adidas, and others. The store will also introduce the company’s first-ever wellness corner, which will blend footwear with lifestyle products.

    What is the philosophy of ABC-Mart when it comes to fashion?
    ABC-Mart believes that style should not compromise comfort. The company aims to provide high-quality, fashionable products that are both diverse in variety and accessible to everyone.

  • Tiffany & Co collaborates with Nike on ‘Legendary’ kicks

    Tiffany & Co collaborates with Nike on ‘Legendary’ kicks

    Tiffany & Co has collaborated with Nike to release the Nike x Tiffany & Co Air Force 1 1837 sneakers and a limited-edition sterling silver accessories range.

    The sneakers, which will be available on March 7, are made of premium black suede, have a Tiffany Blue-coloured Swoosh, and co-branded silver elements over each heel.

    The Nike x Tiffany & Co Air Force 1 1837 will be available in women’s and men’s sizes, with a retail price of $356.98. The sneakers can be found in New York City Tiffany & Co locations: The Tiffany Flagship Next Door and Tiffany & Co SoHo, and globally via Nike’s SNKRS app and select Nike partner retail stores in North America.

    The brands said the collaboration is a continuation of the Air Force 1’s 40th anniversary and the businesses’ first collaboration on a “legendary pair”. Nike also partnered with Louis Vuitton last year to launch Dream Now, a brief pop-up event in Brooklyn, New York, featuring 47 pairs of Nike Airforce 1s designed by Virgil Abloh, to celebrate the anniversary.

    The basketball trainer was launched by Nike in 1982 and since then has gone on to become the most successful model ever created and symbolic in black culture.

    Aside from the launch, Tiffany & Co will release a line of limited-edition sterling silver goods, including a sterling silver whistle, shoe horn, shoe brush, and dubrae for the Nike x Tiffany & Co Air Force 1 1837 lace

  • 1,200 workers lose jobs as Taiwan footwear firm runs out of orders

    1,200 workers lose jobs as Taiwan footwear firm runs out of orders

    A Taiwanese shoemaker in HCMC’s Binh Tan District has laid off 1,185 workers and blamed it on a drying up of orders.

    In an announcement, Monday Ty Hung Co. Ltd, said its customers face financial issues and have not placed new orders.

    Despite trying everything it could, it is unable to maintain production as planned and has no choice but to terminate labor contracts with 1,185 people on Dec. 1, the statement said.

    It will pay a severance allowance to employees who have worked since 2008 and two months’ salary to all employees whose social insurance premiums are now cut due to losing their job.

    It will also pay one month’s salary as a bonus to those who worked for the entire year until being laid off and make pro rata payments to others.

    The Taiwanese firm has 1,800 employees and makes shoes for export to Europe.

    According to the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Confederation, textile, footwear, and electronic factories have lost orders due to difficulties in finding raw materials and falling demand.

    To cope, many factories in the city have cut workers’ hours or furloughed or laid them off, it added.

  • Heineken drops new sneakers

    Heineken drops new sneakers

    Are you ready to ‘walk on beer’? Because Heineken’s here to ensure that you do just that! The infamous Dutch brewing company recently unveiled Heineken Silver – a new smooth, easy-to-drink beer brewed for a new generation of drinkers. And they decided to kickstart its launch, with a pair of kicks! Heineken collaborated with celebrity sneaker designer Dominic Cambrione, more popularly known as The Shoe Surgeon, to create – the ‘Heinekicks’.

    What are the Heinekicks? Quite simply put, they’re limited edition sneakers FILLED with beer. There are only 32 pairs available in the world, and yes, you heard it right, they actually contain soles filled with the new Heineken Silver. Heineken promises these liquid-filled kicks “will have you Walking on Beer”.

    The Shoe Surgeon maintained the brand’s iconic red, green, and silver colors in the shoes as well. The acclaimed designer has created kicks worn by the likes of LeBron James, DJ Khaled, and Drake.“Partnering with Heineken for their new beer was a fun challenge. We both share a passion for innovation and pushing boundaries and created a design to reflect that,” said The Shoe Surgeon. “The shoe not only embodies the energy of Heineken Silver but literally carries it. I can’t say I’ve ever designed a sneaker that contains actual beer before.’’

    He power-packed the sneakers with a sleek green lenticular upper with silver and red accents. A removable metal bottle opener has been integrated into the tongue of the shoes. This could come pretty handy when it’s time to pop open a cold one!

    Of course, the most fascinating element of the shoes is the transparent soles filled with the golden liquid, which is Heineken Silver. The beer was inserted into the soles using a specialized surgical injection method!

    The one-of-a-kind soles provide the wearer with an extremely smooth walking experience, drawing a smart parallel to the smooth taste of Heineken Silver. These are the first pair of sneakers that allow you to walk on beer and a super genius marketing hack! We can’t wait to see how avid beer lovers react toward Heineken Silver!

  • Sneaker Boutique atmos Reduces Online Cart Abandonment and Increases Revenue with Forter

    Sneaker Boutique atmos Reduces Online Cart Abandonment and Increases Revenue with Forter

    Forter, the Trust Platform for digital commerce, announced Foot Locker atmos Japan G.K., a sneaker boutique, has selected Forter to help combat fraud in its online store. Since deploying Forter, atmos has significantly reduced chargebacks and maintained an approval rate of over 98%.

    Previously, atmos used a rules-based, manual fraud prevention solution. However, fraudsters were able to exploit the system’s weaknesses. The company also deployed 3D Secure to provide an extra layer of authentication at checkout, but this introduced unnecessary friction for good customers and led to a higher cart abandonment rate.

    With Forter, atmos has addressed both challenges by fully automating its fraud prevention program and replacing 3D Secure. The company’s partnership with Forter has maximized genuine customer experience and lifetime value by making precise decisions about customer trustworthiness at critical interactions. This has reduced friction for good customers, reduced the cart abandonment rate and grown revenue.

    Forter’s platform is powered by the largest network of retailers, meaning a fraudster known to one of its customers is known to all. Forter applies machine learning to deliver decisions that are 100% automated, with average response times under 400 milliseconds. Since the platform has no dependency on manual reviewers, it scales seamlessly as merchants grow.

    Mr. Okayama, General Manager of atmos’ EC Business Department, said, “With the previous rules-based system, it was challenging to discern between legitimate and fraudulent transactions, and the need for manual reviews placed a heavy burden on operations. While the introduction of 3D Secure reduced chargebacks, the friction it caused increased cart abandonment rates. Forter’s fully automated solution solves these challenges by removing the need for manual reviews, increasing our accuracy and streamlining the buyer’s journey.”

    Yosuke Noda, Forter’s Country Manager for Japan, said, “We are very pleased to be working with a leading brand like atmos to deliver precise decisions about customer trustworthiness at critical interactions. This decisioning helps atmos improve customer experiences while driving revenue,” said Mr. Noda.

    Foot Locker atmos Japan G.K.

    The name of the store, “atmos,” is derived from the word “atmosphere,” and we want to be a store that is as natural to be there as the atmosphere itself. atmos” opened its head store in Harajuku, Tokyo in 2000. With the theme of sneakers as fashion, a sneaker wall was set up inside the store. The store is dedicated to introducing Tokyo’s sneaker culture to the world through collaborations with national brands, exclusive models, test launches of the latest products, and marketing.

  • Nike cries foul over virtual shoes, suing retailer that sells sneaker NFTs

    Nike cries foul over virtual shoes, suing retailer that sells sneaker NFTs

    Sneaker giant Nike sued online reseller StockX in New York federal court on Thursday for selling unauthorized images of Nike shoes, marking the latest lawsuit over digital assets known as non-fungible tokens.

    Nike said StockX’s NFTs infringe its trademarks and are likely to confuse consumers. Its lawsuit asked for unspecified money damages and an order blocking their sales.

    Detroit-based StockX, a platform for reselling sneakers, handbags, and other goods, was valued at more than $3.8 billion last year.

    A representative for the company did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Nike or its attorneys.

    Nike said StockX last month began selling unauthorized NFTs of its sneakers, telling buyers they would be able to redeem the tokens for physical versions of the shoes “in the near future.”

    The complaint said StockX has sold over 500 Nike-branded NFTs.

    The lawsuit said complaints about the NFTs’ “inflated prices and murky terms of purchase and ownership” and buyers’ doubts about the legitimacy of StockX’s model have hurt Nike’s business reputation.

    Nike said it will release “a number of virtual products” later this month in conjunction with the digital art studio RTFKT, which it acquired in December.

    NFTs have recently exploded in popularity, and lawsuits over them have begun to hit U.S. courts. Miramax sued director Quentin Tarantino in November over his plans to auction NFTs related to the 1994 film “Pulp Fiction,” which he directed and the studio distributed.

    Last month, Hermes sued artist Mason Rothschild over his “MetaBirkin” NFTs of the French company’s Birkin bags.

  • Ebay secures focus on sneaker market with authenticator acquisition

    Ebay secures focus on sneaker market with authenticator acquisition

    eBay Inc. and Sneaker Con Digital have entered into a definitive agreement under which eBay has acquired Sneaker Con’s authentication business, a sneaker authenticator with operations in the U.S., U.K, Canada, Australia and Germany.

    The company said in a statement that this acquisition is an extension of the ongoing collaboration between eBay and Sneaker Con, which has been critical to powering eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee. The service, which eBay launched in October 2020, offers full vetting and verification of select sneakers bought on the marketplace by a team of Sneaker Con’s industry experts. In just over a year, more than 1.55 million sneakers have been authenticated globally on eBay.

    “We partnered with Sneaker Con to launch sneaker authentication on eBay last year because the team shared our passion for the category. The response to our authentication offering has been overwhelming, and this acquisition allows us to continue to transform eBay and bring a higher level of trust and confidence to every transaction,” said Jordan Sweetnam, SVP and general manager of eBay North America.

    The company added that eBay will continue to build upon its offerings to accommodate resale market trends and ensure a seamless user experience that provides the community with a trusted marketplace.

    “We respect eBay’s commitment to the sneaker culture and are honored that Sneaker Con’s authentication business will be incorporated into their platform,” added Brad Fried, the company’s co-founder.

    Conceived in 2009, Sneaker Con has cultivated a global community of sneaker enthusiasts through its industry-leading events, where people gather to buy, sell and trade sought-after footwear. Sneaker Con launched its authentication business in 2018 to complement the events business and provide authentication services to further support the sneaker community.

  • Carousell snaps up sneaker marketplace Ox Street

    Carousell snaps up sneaker marketplace Ox Street

    Online marketplace Carousell has acquired Ox Street, a Singapore-based marketplace for authenticated sneakers and streetwear, the company announced on Monday. It did not disclose the deal value.

    Founded in 2019, Ox Street is focused on making the second-hand sneaker purchase experience more seamless for Southeast Asian youth by inspecting and authenticating the sneakers before they reach buyers.

    Post-acquisition, Ox Street will continue to operate as its own brand, retaining its name, platform, and team.

    “We initially started a conversation with Carousell on partnering up to provide authentication as a service for sneakers, but as discussions progressed, we found so much common ground in how we see the future, that we decided it would be much more powerful for Ox Street to fully join the Carousell group,” said Gijs Verheijke, founder and chief executive of Ox Street.

    “Our focus markets align nearly one to one, and in these markets, Carousell was actually the first, and remains the largest marketplace for sneakers and streetwear.”

    Data portal VentureCap Insights shows that Verheijke owns 90 percent of the company, with the remainder held by an entity, Aito Ventures. The company recorded US$18,975 in revenue in 2019, with a US$206,931 loss.

    Carousell chief executive Quek Siu Rui said that he sees “immense opportunity” in Ox Street’s authentication capabilities. He is optimistic about the “brand love they have created among their dedicated community of sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts, especially among Gen Z”.

    The deal comes weeks after Carousell raised US$100 million in a round led by South Korean private equity firm STIC, valuing the company at US$1.1 billion. It is said to be considering a public listing in the US through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company. Previous regulatory filings indicate that Carousell aims to provide its investors with an exit by 2024, at a valuation of at least US$1.13 billion.

  • Nike and Adidas face supply-chain disruption after Vietnam factory closure

    Nike and Adidas face supply-chain disruption after Vietnam factory closure

    Taiwan’s Pou Chen, which makes footwear for companies such as Nike and Adidas, suspended operations at its plant in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday as COVID-19 curbs hit factories in the country’s business hub.

    Vietnam’s health ministry said in a statement that production at Pou Chen’s Pouyuen Vietnam factory would be suspended for 10 days.

    State media said 49 infections had been detected at the plant in Ho Chi Minh City, which is at the epicenter of the country’s worst coronavirus outbreak.

    The company did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

    Shares in Pou Chen, the world’s largest manufacturer of branded athletic and casual footwear, closed down 1.3% on Wednesday.

    After successfully containing the disease for much of the pandemic, Vietnam has faced a more stubborn outbreak since late April.

    Record infections and strict curbs on movement have left plants operating below capacity in northern provinces where suppliers for Apple, Samsung Electronics and other global tech firms are located, sources have said.

    Pouyuen Vietnam, the largest employer in the city with 56,000 workers, was unable to arrange for its workers to sleep at the site as required by authorities to allow the business to remain open, the health ministry said on Wednesday.

    Last year, Pouyuen Vietnam was ordered to suspend its production for two days after failing to meet local social distancing rules.

    Earlier this week, state media said authorities also ordered 29 companies in the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, an industrial park, to suspend production due to the outbreak.

    In the neighboring Saigon Hi-Tech Park, which houses international companies, more than 700 infections were detected in recent days and authorities ordered companies to shut units with infected workers, state media reported.

    Despite the latest outbreak, Vietnam has recorded far lower caseloads than many other countries with 36,605 infections in total and 130 deaths.

  • Nike could run out of Vietnamese sneakers

    Nike could run out of Vietnamese sneakers

    The shutdown of two contract manufacturers in Vietnam due to Covid-19 could worsen Nike’s sneaker supply problems, a market research company has warned.

    The fact that South Korea’s Changshin Vietnam and Taiwan’s Pou Chen Corp in HCMC have stopped operating since last week “may exacerbate the supply chain disruptions that the company has had to deal with,” S&P Global Market Intelligence said in a report.

    Vietnam accounted for 49 percent of U.S. seaborne imports linked to Nike and its products in the second quarter, it said.

    Nike said in fiscal 2020 contract factories in Vietnam made roughly 50 percent of its branded footwear.

    There is a refocusing on China, the report said, pointing out that in the second quarter of this year, growth of U.S. seaborne imports linked to Nike from Vietnam was 6.6 percent year-on-year while it was 54.6 percent for China.

    A Nike spokeswoman said in an emailed statement: “We continue to work with our suppliers to support their efforts in response to the dynamic and unprecedented nature of Covid-19.”

    HCMC has recorded over 39,500 Covid-19 cases since April 27.

  • Chinese ‘limited edition’ sneaker sales soar after Xinjiang backlash

    Chinese ‘limited edition’ sneaker sales soar after Xinjiang backlash

    Prices of some Chinese limited edition sneakers soared among collectors and speculators following calls for local consumers to boycott global brands that have said they don’t source products or yarn from China’s western Xinjiang region. Nike and Adidas came under attack on Chinese social media last month over past comments.

    Some researchers and foreign lawmakers say Xinjiang authorities use coercive labor programs to meet seasonal cotton-picking needs, which China strongly denies.

    The listed price of the “All Star” version of Li-Ning Way of Wade 4 on the Dewu App – the country’s largest sneaker resale platform also known as “Poizon” – reached 48,889 yuan ($7,463) per pair, 31 times higher than the official price of 1,499 yuan, the state-owned Global Times reported on Monday.

    Anta’s Doraemon-themed casual shoes on the platform were also eight times higher than the original price of 499 yuan.

    Both offerings disappeared from Dewu, which deleted listings for numerous local shoe models after state media criticized speculation on sneaker prices and taking advantage of people’s patriotic feelings.

    “A large number of internet users choose to support domestic brands, which is normal,” said a Tuesday opinion piece on People.cn, the website of the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party.

    “But some scalpers though they have caught on to a business opportunity as if they smelled blood.”

    Dewu on Tuesday said that it deleted listings of 20 kinds of sneakers made by Chinese sportswear brands including Li Ning and Anta Sports after noticing abnormal price fluctuation.

    Michael John, research and strategy manager at Shanghai-based consultancy AgencyChina, said he believes the frenzy for domestic sneaker brands will pass.

    “First, the platform Dewu continues to facilitate the exchange of limited edition Nike and Adidas sneakers,” he told Reuters on Tuesday.

  • Swedish retailer Sneakersnstuff making debut in Tokyo

    Swedish retailer Sneakersnstuff making debut in Tokyo

    Stockholm-based retailer Sneakersnstuff is about to open a flagship store in Tokyo, its first Asia location.

    The retailer, known for its sneakers, said the Tokyo store will open on December 14 on Log Road in Daikanyama, which is home to high-end boutiques and restaurants.

    Designed by Stockholm-based design studio Bofink, the store will combine the best of both Scandinavian and Japanese design. And more than just a retail space, it will be a multifunctional lifestyle store with an inclusion of a cafe.

    “It features handcrafted and handmade furniture by Swedish and European artists and furniture makers, beautiful and unique colorways, traditional Japanese heritage materials, 3D-printed pieces and more,” Sneakersnstuff said in a statement.

    Tokyo will be Sneakersnstuff’s seventh location worldwide, joining Stockholm, London, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles and Paris.

    The retailer first announced a plan to expand into Asia in October last year.

  • Japanese sneaker retailer Atmos opens store in Indonesia

    Japanese sneaker retailer Atmos opens store in Indonesia

    Japanese streetwear and sneaker retailer Atmos has announced it is opening its first store in Indonesia later this year.

    The announcement was made during Urban Sneaker Society, an event held last weekend for streetwear and sneaker enthusiasts.

    Atmos Indonesia president Marcel Lukman said the first store will be located at the Plaza Indonesia Mall in Jakarta. Besides housing products similar to those at its Japan stores, the Indonesian store will offer in-house exclusives.

    The brick-and-mortar store will be complemented with an online store, says Lukman.

    Founded in 2000 by Hidefumi Hommyo, Atmos is known for offering limited-edition collaborations with many brands such as Nike, Adidas and Puma, with Nike Air Max collaboration being the most popular.

    In Indonesia, Atmos says it will be open to collaborations with local designers and brands as well.

    In addition to its more than 30 stores in Japan, the retailer has also outlets in international cities such as New York, Seoul and Bangkok.

  • Cole Haan Launches GRANDPRØ TURF SNEAKER Collection for Spring 2019

    Cole Haan Launches GRANDPRØ TURF SNEAKER Collection for Spring 2019

    Cole Haan, the innovative American lifestyle brand and retailer, will be introducing its newest dual gender collection, GRANDPRØ TURF, for Spring 2019. Providing the same featherweight construction as the top-selling GRANDPRØ TENNIS SNEAKER, the GRANDPRØ TURF SNEAKER offers retro style in a sports-inspired silhouette with versatile capability to be dressed up or worn casually.

    An instant classic with featherweight construction & retro T-toe styling

    Minimal, lightweight construction means everything you need and nothing you don’t, as the ultralight Grand foam allows you to move effortlessly. Craft, style and engineering combine to deliver Cole Haan’s operating system for footwear, Grand.ØS. Designed to drastically reduce weight, the Grand.ØS technology mimics the foot’s natural flexibility, offers dynamic breathability and provides responsive cushioning for maximum comfort.

    With silhouettes for both men and women, the GRANDPRØ TURF  features Cole Haan’s proprietary Grand.ØS energy foam integrated throughout the shoe and is fitted with a lightweight, injection-molded EVA sole for flexible ease. With the Grand.ØS technology, the sneaker allows for high rebound and lightweight cushioning that complements the natural running gait cycle of your foot.

    With a classic pivot point integrated onto its forefoot tread pattern, the GRANDPRØ TURF is paired with a rubber bottom for comfort and dual colour contrast effect. For retro finish, the sneaker features waxed handstitch detailing and classic T-toe styling in mixed material accents/full grain leather and crafted.

    The GRANDPRØ TURF collection is now available in Cole Haan Paragon and Suntec City stores.