BLACKSHEEP X NIKE HIGH SB PRO

The Dunk- former classic Nike hoops shoe was swiftly adopted by skate culture- and eventually re-engineered for the session by Nike SB. Nowadays the SB Dunks style is often used as a canvas for several of the brand’s influential collaborations. Most recently, Nike have teamed up with North Carolina skate shop, Blacksheep, using the iconic silhouette as a starting point for their first successful collaboration.

The ‘sheep’s wool’ vintage-esque textured suede in a ‘summit white’ colour way combined with a cool white leather swoosh reflects the brand’s iconic understated cool in a diverse yet subtle material clash. The white upper is strikingly contrasted by a blackened-out midsole and distinctive red stitching and outer sole as well as black and red labelling on the tongue. A full-length foam midsole with a Nike zoom air unit in the heel offers durable impact protection offering support and is designed to cushion hard landings.

Although the white swoosh is innocent looking enough, it interestingly disguises a hidden graphic of wolf fangs which is designed to reveal itself after continued wear. The footbeds also feature custom artwork of a snarling wolf with bloody fangs and red eyes as if appearing out from the shoes. This paired with the aesthetic of the suede material plays with the notion of ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’

We believe that this collaboration is sure to become a modern classic after the last attempted collaboration between the brands was pulled before sale as the Gucci-inspired design was reported as being too similar to the brand’s original pieces.

TEXT: Olivia Jones