R. Lim (of the Janitor From Mars, aka WFMU's primier out-of-the-closet sneaker whore) checks in with his top 10 list at long last:
In somewhat lazily alphabetical order:
Adidas Muenchen (Dark Sand/Light Scarlet/Dark Green) "Oktoberfest"
Another supremely well-conceived and executed exclusive from Crooked Tongues, in celebration of Oktoberfest and all things Bavarian. Highly conceptual but easy on the eyes, plus bonus points for not using the same 70s retro models that get wheeled out ad nauseum (no offense, Chad!). Not included: sick from someone else's Wilde Maus ride gone wrong.
New Balance M575J PG (Pigeon)
Pigeon Part II - minus: Lower East Side mugging brigade, $1,000 price tag on the secondary market - plus: a much more appropriate runner model.
Nike Air Force 1 Low Supreme WP (Olive Khaki/White-Gum)
WP = waterproof. The extra-grippy gumsole adds to the ACG theme without relying on inappropriate and esoteric color schemes (that are only legible to people who know what "ACG" means).
Nike Air Pegasus+ 25 SE (NikeID) "Buckeye Born"
In my blood, on my feet. Edition: 1 of 1.
Nike Court Force High Lux (Black/Black-Sail)
An impeccable version of Nike's most underrated basketball retro
(almost all CF retros are Asia exclusives). Kudos to the designer for
providing enough details (contrasting eyelet!) to set it apart from a
general release without making it insanely expensive.
Nike Lunaracer+ (White/Black) "Tier 0 Olympic"
The engineering insanity of this new model's lightweightness can only be appreciated in person. This particular one elegantly incorporates its Olympics theme via the five colored "flywire" blocks.
Puma Spy II High (Black/White) "Spy vs Spy"
Highlights of this over-the-top interpretation of its Mad Magazine theme include a coded message in a velcro stash pocket hidden in the tongue, as well as converting some of the decorative lines of the sneaker into morse code. Highly conceptual designs frequently fall short of the mark so it's nice to see something well thought out and executed.
Vans J-Lay Mid (DSNB2 / Taka Haya)
Designed by Taka Hayashi for Active's "Drop Sneakers Not Bombs" campaign and loaded with unique details that probably look impressive when ghostwritten by marketing for blog site insertion - this reminds me of when I had to build a bridge out of plastic straws for a class competition. Weights were attached to each entry until only one remained uncollapsed.
What we have here, improbably, is a winning bridge.
Vans Supreme Old Skool (Supreme/Blue)
Design: Supreme
Houndstooth Laces: Starks
Visvim FBT Lhamo-folk (Black)
The signature FBT model is brought closer to true moccasin form in elk
suede. Wearing these is like walking on clouds barefoot, if you were
really concerned your feet would get scuffed or rained on at that
altitude. Unbelievably spotted at the WFMU Record Fair during prime
scrum-time on a Saturday.
Well, that was .. umm .. interesting.
Posted by: Kevin | February 06, 2009 at 09:12 PM
WFMU Nike SB Dunks. Black white and light blue - Let's make this happen.
Posted by: Mike G. | February 07, 2009 at 02:43 PM
But, Liz...You were Aggie-born!!
Posted by: Rick Ele | February 10, 2009 at 07:34 PM