Krewe Quarterly Newsletter for Q2
Top Quarterly Footwear News
Cocaine labeled Nike SB found
Scuba divers recently discovered Nike SB-labeled cocaine off the coast of Florida. Initially mistaking it for trash, they were surprised to find bricks of cocaine valued at about $1 million. The packages clearly resembled typical cocaine packaging, with a random Nike SB logo wrapped in the middle. This attempt at concealment was unlikely to fool anyone.
-written by Drew Lewis
Paris Fashion Week Highlights
Year to year, Paris Fashion Week delivers as one of, if not, the biggest preview of what’s to come in the fashion industry. As people who pay close attention specifically to what’s on feet, sneaker connoisseurs and lovers alike were given an abundance of spectacles to ponder and discuss. You can talk about how Nigo and Nike finally gave us a glimpse of something that they have been working on in the form of an Air Force 3. We certainly were reminded of Nike and Comme Des Garçon’s yearly collaboration this time on a modified Air Max 96 silhouette. Pharrell, the busiest man in the industry when it comes to directing Louis Vuitton and collaborating with adidas, made his presence felt through both of those colossal brands by showcasing the adidas Superstar 72, 82, and double wide 92. Newcomer of the last year is possibly African-American creative Jae Tips who is bringing eyes back to Saucony by bringing his upcoming sneakers to the Paris showing. Strange but creative marketing moves by Nike to remind everyone that the Air Sunder Max is soon to be released were made through the dressing of the robotic Boston Dynamics dog in four little yellow Air Sunder Maxes while it roamed the street. Additionally, Nike took this opportunity to allow Kids of Immigrants to pop out with their remixing of the Air Sunder Max to be released at a later date. In the end, it was an eventful week that gave us a lot to be excited about and to look forward to.
-written by Travis Epps
Goyard Sues the Shoe Surgeon
Renowned sneaker customizer Dominic "The Shoe Surgeon" Ciambrome, who recently collaborated with Nike on Usher's Super Bowl shoe, is currently facing legal action from the esteemed French luxury brand, Goyard. The Shoe Surgeon used Goyard's signature canvas material to create shoes in the past without approval from Goyard. In July 2022, Goyard sent The Shoe Surgeon a cease and desist letter. The Shoe Surgeon did not immediately respond but subsequently removed the accused products from his website in fall 2023. Goyard believes that The Shoe Surgeon profited from their brand's success and is seeking compensation for damages and court-related expenses. Additionally, Goyard wants The Shoe Surgeon to disclose its suppliers and manufacturers and send the remaining products in question for destruction.
-written by Drew Lewis
Local Footwear News
TwentyFour.8 Store
New local consignment shop called Twenty Four 8 located at 3940 Veterans Boulevard in Metairie opened at the end of last year, and we finally were able to browse their shelves in person to see the shop and the sneakers available for purchase. Derrickicks, owner of the shop, has been reselling sneakers in the New Orleans metropolitan area for some years now, and he has brought his inventory to an accessible location. The shop is nothing short of what you expect from a consignment shop. It features various “hypebeast” displays including artwork, Bearbricks, toys, and of course sneakers. Furthermore, the shop excels at keeping a variety of sneakers and matching what’s on the shelves to what they have available on their website. If you’re in Metairie, we recommend that you stop by to buy, sell, and trade sneakers at Twenty Four 8.
-written by Travis Epps
Footwear Brand News
Nike
Nike Settles Lawsuit with Bape
In the last few years, Nike’s legal department has been working over time to sue as many brands, creators, and companies as they can. Recently, their most famous lawsuit has been against longtime influential streetwear brand, Bape. For over two decades, the Bape Sta, which was inspired by and aimed to remix the Nike Air Force 1, has been an important part of sneaker culture that has transcended fashion and hip hop. The Bape Sta is one of several Bape sneakers that Nike would attack in their lawsuit to end the production of these reinterpreted Nike classics. What came of the settlement would be agreement from Bape to discontinue a few sneakers and modify the design of others. Those discontinued sneakers would be the Bape Sta Mid, Court Sta, and Court Sta High while the modify sneakers include the Bape Sta and Sk8 Sta.
In the midst of all of these lawsuits is the questionable motive of these countless lawsuits from Nike. Is this the first time in a while that Nike feels threatened by brands and creatives? Already losing market shares to the typical sneaker brands and rising brands such as HOKA, Nike seems desperate to deter any other potential threats from taking away customers. The problem with Nike’s energy towards these lawsuits is the fact that the brand should be using that energy to create innovative footwear that we’ve come to love over the decades. Headlines have been heavily focused on court cases in the past year between Nike and their “competitors” and less on influential footwear with staying power. In the end, Nike’s attack on Bape, which you can argue elevated Nike’s classics, comes off as very unnecessary and frustrating because sneaker enthusiasts are waiting for Nike to return to great prominence.
-written by Travis Epps
SNKRS Showcase
Nike did something right in Q2 of this year in my opinion by showcasing several classic silhouettes that will be returning in specific colorways very soon. Among the many displayed silhouettes included the Air Max Sunder, Total 90 II SP football boot, Air Zoom Spiridon, Air Flightposite, and Air Foamposite One. While these sneakers may not be the innovation that the industry needs, these classics will bring in a breath of fresh air and give us a break from the many releases of Nike Dunks (which did have a couple features in this showcase) and typical retro Jordans. Finally, genuine footwear collectors and connoisseurs can have their share of sneakers that not the average consumer is keen to and resellers aren’t scalping from the market. The OG sneakerhead can have their time to shine and enjoy what makes the culture the culture…pure love for wearing all models and colors of footwear. If you’re curious about what’s on the way, Google search “Nike SNKRS Showcase 2024” for more info and images.
-written by Travis Epps
Jordan Brand
Reimagined 2025 Big Year for Jordan
Is Nike and Jordan Brand struggling to maintain its dominance over the footwear and sporting apparel industry? It certainly seems like it from recent announcements and leaks that have been made. Bringing back hyper rare collaborations and mystical sneakers tells us that nothing is safe in their archive if the brand finds its back against the wall. With Jordan Brand’s already living “reimagined” program, it’s no surprise that they’ve decided to pull out their all time classics to reinvigorate the consumers love for the brand. This year we’ll see the Black Cement 3s return, but they’re not stopping there. In 2025, get ready to see the return of the Black Metallic Jordan 5, Bred Jordan 1, and UNC Jordan 1 all being retooled to fit into the reimagined line. Will the modern day consumer be eager to chase these Jordan Brand classics and will that lead to more hype surrounding the brand? If not, then Nike and Jordan Brand will need to go back to the drawing board to look for a way out of this hole.
-written by Travis Epps
J Balvin Sells 3s for $25,000
Sneaker resellers and their bots didn’t see this coming. In a cunning move to deter bots from snagging all of J Balvin’s Rio Jordan 3s, Balvin’s website set a sneaky trap to make bots pay, in the literal sense, for trying to once again grab all of the pairs from the website. Customers a part of Balvin’s Familia club received a discount code to purchase the sneaker at the retail price of $250. Other customers who didn’t receive the discount code would see the sneaker in their cart for $25,000. Therefore, botters buying up pairs were surprised to see their purchase history after their bot checked out a pair, the ultimate bot protection. Will we see other collaborators using this tactic?
-written by Travis Epps
Adidas
Clot Adidas Dress Superstar Revealed
The Clot x Adidas Dress Superstar is a must-have for sneaker enthusiasts. Influenced by a summer trip to Europe, the shoe boasts an all-black patent leather upper with a rubber toe cap. The Superstar is elevated with three stripes on the heel and a leather tassel on the tongue. This shoe adds versatility to any sneaker collection, suitable for both formal events and casual wear. The Krewe will definitely be on the lookout for these later this year.
-written by Drew Lewis
Pharrell Superstars Revealed
As previously mentioned when discussing Paris fashion week, Pharrell Williams has previewed his creative take on the adidas Superstar during Paris Fashion Week. The three remodeled Superstars, the 72, 82, and 92, will come in the casual black/white and white/black classic colorways but seem to feature different colored laces. What’s also interesting is the plastic grocery store meat packaging and mesh bag that the sneakers have been shown to come in. An interesting approach to footwear packaging that I’m sure will be explained near the time of release.
However, the question that needs to be asked is whether or not this is his best work with adidas since the Humanrace NMD first released. Depending on how these three models touch the streets and feet of consumers will determine how we look at this coming release and how we compare it to his previous work with the brand. Hopefully, adidas or Pharrell himself will give us more backstory on what went into these designs and when they will be shared with the public.
-written by Travis Epps
New Balance
Salehe Collaboration Coming Soon
Salehe Bembury has been consistently delivering exceptional designs in recent years, and he continues this trend with another anticipated New Balance collaboration. His upcoming project features the New Balance 530, set to release later this year. The shoe is predominantly yellow-based, incorporating multiple materials and accent colors reminiscent of Salehe's previous successful collaborations with New Balance. Additionally, he teased an upcoming collaboration with PUMA on his Instagram earlier this week. Fans are eagerly awaiting Salehe's next creations, as he consistently produces standout designs.
-written by Drew Lewis
New Action Bronson’s Released
Action Bronson has been making waves with New Balance since last year. Recently, he dropped two colorways of the New Balance 1906R: the "Medusa Azul" and "Rosewater." Both shoes sold out within minutes of release. While they narrowly missed our Top 5 releases of the quarter, it's mostly due to personal preference. Nonetheless, these clean summer colorways are sure to turn heads and complement a variety of outfits. Currently, both colorways are available on the resale market for under $300 in most sizes.
-written by Drew Lewis
Asics
Ronnie Fieg Releases New Asics
Ronnie released three Asics sneakers in quarter 2 of 2024. The first shoe, named "Seoul," was a Gel-Lyte 3 released on May 31st to commemorate the opening of the new KITH store in South Korea. These shoes feature a grey suede upper with colors inspired by the Korean national flag (red, blue, and black) in hairy suede throughout the shoe.
The next two releases were Gel-Kayano 12.1 colorways in "Cream" and "Knicks" colors. These lightly colored shoes are perfect for the warm months and were both released on June 24th.
-written by Drew Lewis
Salomon
L’Art De L’automoble Speed Cross 3 and XT-4
Salomon’s relationship with L’Art De L’automoble continues with another double pack of collaborative footwear. The Paris car brand first made its impact into the footwear industry last year with two pairs of Salomon —. This year, in perfect time for the Olympics taking place in Paris, the brand gave us a Speed Cross 3 and XT-4 with red, white, blue, and gold accents. As France continues to have a busy year with the Olympics approaching, this collaboration took inspiration from the yearly Le Mans 24 hours and specifically, the Porsche GT1 Mobil1 which boasts those French flag colors.
-written by Travis Epps
Saucony
Jae Tips Reveals New Sneakers in Paris
Jae Tips unveiled another Saucony model during Paris Fashion Week: the Saucony Matrix, a runner from the early 1990s to 2000s era. This model showcases Jae Tips' signature vibrant colors. It's an exciting development for Saucony as they delve into their archive of models to strengthen their presence in the sneaker community. The Saucony Matrix is anticipated to be released in late 2024 or early 2025.
-written by Drew Lewis
HOKA
Nicole McLaughlin HOKA Collaboration released
Nicole McLaughlin launched her second collaboration with Hoka on June 14th, introducing the Mafate THREE2. This innovative sneaker features a four-in-one cover made from woven ETPU material and includes 5 utility pockets designed for carrying basic necessities during walks. The silver, red, and neon yellow color scheme of the Hoka shoe makes it visually striking, with numerous intriguing details incorporated throughout the design.
-written by Drew Lewis
Best Footwear Releases of Q1
Nina Chanel Air Jordan 3
This isn’t Nina Chanel’s first time collaborating with Jordan Brand, but there’s no doubt that this is her most coveted and impactful collaboration. She took on the challenge of taking one of the brand’s most classic silhouettes in the Air Jordan 3 and remixed it to make it her own. The upper features a green canvas material with hits of green suede. The cream colored mid sole, eyelets, back tab, and sock liner compliment and give balance to the dominant green on the upper. However, the feature that pulls most people in is the Nike Air on the back tab in the grassy woven green. The orange Jumpman tag adds the “icing on the top” for most, but is removable for the people who don’t care for it. A top 5 to 10 sneaker as soon as it was shown to the public.
-written by Travis Epps
Aimé Leon Dore NB 1000
You knew once New Balance revealed their 1000 model to the masses, it was only a matter of time until Teddy Santis and Aimé Leon Dore would add their touch to the silhouette. Aimé Leon Dore has mastered simplicity and craftsmanship in every collaboration that they have done with New Balance to date. These three monochromatic color ways of the 1000 are no different. The materials, “aimé” hit on the toe, and craftiness in everything from the black soles on the two lighter pairs to the stitching and laces of the black pair formulate the perfect equation for a New Balance collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore.
-written by Travis Epps
J Balvin Air Jordan 3 'Rio'
The J Balvin Air Jordan 3s “Rio” was a highly anticipated release following the success of last year's "Medellin Sunrise" release. Essentially the black counterpart to the initial release, this shoe features vibrant sunlight accents on the heel, midsole, sole, and sock liner. They hit shelves in early May and are currently available on the resale market for around $100 above retail price.
-written by Drew Lewis
Nike SB Futura
Futura has teamed up with Nike for their second collaboration in recent years. The Futura Nike SB Dunk Low released in two colorways: a general release (GR) and a friends and family (F&F) pair. Both pairs showcase Futura's signature abstract style, with the GR pair featuring a white base, a blue multicolor upper, and a translucent sole. These shoes were released on FuturaLaboratories.com and the Nike SNKRS app on May 22nd, 2024.
-written by Drew Lewis
New Balance Stone Island 574 Legacy
Stone Island partnered with New Balance for a collaboration on the classic 574 model. Two distinct green-based colorways were released, influenced by military aesthetics and featuring the iconic Compass patch on the tongue. These sneakers officially launched on June 14th in dark green and light green variations. The simple yet stylish design contributed to this model being recognized among the top 5 releases of quarter 2.
-written by Drew Lewis
What was your favorite sneaker that released in Quarter 2?
Nina Chanel Air Jordan 3
Aimé Leon Dore NB 1000
J Balvin Air Jordan 3 'Rio'
Nike SB Futura
Top Footwear Releases Coming in Q2
Comme des Garcons Olympic Foamposite
The Olympics are approaching and Nike is looking to make their presence felt through their sporting apparel and footwear. Even though the Nike Air Foamposite
One is less of a functional sneaker for athletics, still Nike is collaborating with Comme Des Garçons to add a third collaborative Foamposite One specifically for this year’s summer Olympics in Paris. The reason behind this release is uncertain and comes three years after a successful release in 2021. The only Olympic symbolism on the sneaker is on the pull tab which features bronze, silver, and gold stitching stripes. Still, because the retail is expected to come down to a pricy $300 from the original $520 in 2021 and because of the CDG swirls and touch, this is one of the most anticipated Olympic related releases.
-written by Travis Epps
A Ma Maniere Air Jordan 3
The A Ma Maniere Air Jordan 3s are set to release in a black colorway on August 21, 2024, priced at $250. These shoes will be available in extended women's sizes. The original white Air Jordan 3 colorway was released in April 2021, and now, over three years later, the sneaker community is eagerly anticipating the black version. This vintage-inspired shoe features yellowed midsoles, premium materials, and violet ore accents throughout. Given their anticipated popularity, these sneakers are expected to sell out quickly. Make sure to be prepared on August 21st if you want to secure a pair at retail price.
-written by Drew Lewis
Nike Sunder Max
Returning after 25 years of dormancy, the Nike Air Sunder Max returns from the archives of Portland, Oregon, in its original tooling. Only seeing a release in a modified form in a collaboration with CDG, the Sunder Max is returning in its OG colorways. After being showcased around Paris for Fashion Week, this silhouette is ready to make an impact on the industry. Furthermore, we know that a collaboration with Kids of Immigrants is on the way, and various colorways are scheduled to release through Q3 of this year. Be on the lookout for multiple Sunder Max releases, checkout our Tik Tok and on foot look at the retro Nike model.
-written by Travis Epps
Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 RM
After being a long term athlete of Jordan Brand, Nigel Sylvester has been chosen to usher in the new Jordan 4 RM model. The first release of the model will feature a green suede and “Bike Air” on the heel tab to tell Nigel’s story of falling in love with riding a bike in his grandmother’s driveway which was lined with a green fence. This collaboration will release July 20th. Expect this collaboration to be highly anticipated and sought after by sneaker consumers.
-written by Travis Epps
Clot Adidas Dress Superstar
As described in the Adidas section above, these sneakers are poised to become instant classics among sneaker enthusiasts. Continuing Edison Chen's innovative approach to Adidas classics, they emphasize a sophisticated and classic aesthetic. Rumored to release sometime in late 2024, these shoes are highly anticipated for their blend of versatility and timeless style.
-written by Drew Lewis
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