Welcome to autumn, the fashion season. As we joyfully trade our summer linens and swimwear for cozy cashmere and layered looks, designers finally release their much anticipated Fall-Winter collections they exhibited in Spring. And so, with the turn of the leafs come amazing coats, designer hats and boots – bold autumnal colours and chic black holiday-party dresses and tailored suits.
But for the sneaker-heads, this is also the season for the year’s best drops. With Christmas fast approaching (it’s less than 90 days away!), the shoe aficionados prepare themselves for the rarest drops, limited editions and the wacky designs that certify them as bonafide members of the inner sanctum of hype beasts.
This year, big and small sneaker brands alike have taken steps to ensure they capture the imagination of their fans with some of the most outlandish designs to date. DDW takes a rare look at the most anticipated drops and most out-there designs:
The NIKE ISPA Collection
Widely considered to be one of Nike’s most exotic collections to date, the ISPA range are almost sculptural mixed-media collectibles. Organised under the philosophy of ‘Improvise, Scavenge, Protect, and Adapt’, this collection features “adaptive footwear silhouettes” that include the Zoom Road Warrior, Overreact FK, Overreact FK Sandal, Flow 2020, and the Drifter.
The Zoom Road Warrior has an open floating heel, knitted uppers straps and and plenty of visual bells and whistles to keep the imagination running.
Next, the Overreact FK features the award-winning cushioning platform (made of new-tech rubberised foam material), ensuring comfort, functionality and durability. All fabric is made of recycled wool from off cuts of previous lines making it an assuredly green choice.
The sandal version of the Overreact features a lighter build for warm weather as well as visible strap layers and breathable construction.
The Flow 2020 is made for athletes, with increased airflow support (including a perforated outer-sole and open weave upper) and light durable construction.
The Drifter is the marquee piece of the ISPA collection. Taking inspiration from Japanese traditional work boots – the shoe features split-toe Tabi and super soft Nike ZoomX foam on the sole. Outside straps and cross layered construction means that wearers can tighten or loosen the sneaker to their most comfortable fit.
Bungee Brand Obleceni Camarillo
Darrell Alston is the embodiment of the American spirit. After a successful record career as a hip hop artist which was cut short by some missteps and a stint in prison, Darrell found his calling in shoe design. Discovering he had a knack for design and an intuition for marketing, Alston started throwing sold-out parties in his native Philadelphia to promote his sneaker drops. With limited runs and creative stylish designs his Bungee Brand (the bungee being symbolic of his comeback) streetwear and Obleceni luxury line have become coveted shoes for those in the know.
The Obleceni Camarillo run is already getting international orders from collectors around the world. A stylish combination of sleek lines and patent faux alligator skin uppers.
NIKE X AMBUSH DUNK HIGH
A striking ‘collab’ drop from the leader in American sneakers in conjunction with Japanese super-designer Yoon Ahn’s label AMBUSH (following her hugely coveted collabs with Dior Homme, Kanye and others). Premiered at this season’s NY Fashion Week these statement sneaks pack a punch in “tonal fuchsia leather covering, complete with exaggerated swooshes that extend off the shoe to create a winged effect”. Not yet available for public purchase but already making waves across the industry.
The SIA Collective NASA Drop
The SIA (Somewhere In America) Collective is the brainchild of Devlin Carter, and ex US Coast Guard vet from Brooklyn, NYC, with an insatiable drive for footwear and fashion. A firm favourite of those sneaker followers in the know, Devlin makes creative sneakers with a deep passion for his craft. Followers of his brand have exploded via Instagram and have become popular with musicians and athletes across America.
As his brand grows, so has his reputation with many arguing that his designs rival those of celebrated Louis Vuitton designer Vigril Abloh and other name brands. His latest drop, the CV 0.02 “NASA Alternate Galaxy” is a celebration of that unbridled entrepreneurial spirit and drive that has brought SIA to climb to stratospheric heights.
With a soft fabric and rubber cosmic design, glow-in-the-dark uppers and fat shoe string laces – this is the bold footwear item for the season but all drops sell quick, so keep an eye out via IG for the latest info.
UP NEXT: 2020’s rarest sneaker drops…