Iconic.
If you are to do a dive into the origins of Nike, you'll probably be familiar with the story of Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight starting the brand together as Blue Ribbon Sports. You'll probably also be aware of Knight selling product from the back of his van ... as well as then art student, Carolyn Davidson who created the Swoosh logo in 1971 for a mere $35 as Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike. Named after the Greek goddess of victory. Deeply engrained into the five decade-plus history of the world's most profound sneaker brand are chapters in the grand story such as these.
However, there's a part to the story that some may not have recognized – enter the "Cortez". Its fabled history is one that of one of Nike's first silhouettes started as an unnamed prototype in 1967 when Bowerman and Knight were collaborating with Onitsuka Tiger. When Blue Ribbon Sports rebranded as Nike, the Cortez became front-and-center in a legal battle between the two brands, ultimately resulting in Nike winning the lawsuit and in 1972, the Cortez as we know it is born. And the rest is history, as they say. But with the stage now set for the CLOT x Nike Cortez, 51 years removed – this look takes inspiration from the famed, Bruce Lee and his iconic jumpsuit from the film Game of Death, and ironically, the matching Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi. Adorned with a yellow leather base layer and heavy black accenting, the CLOT x Nike Cortez does the same, but encases the leather low-cut frame into a sleek black shroud – and its pulley tightening system in the heel. The collaboration is a respect to Chinese heritage – specifically Hong Kong, the birthplace of Lee but also where CLOT gained a lot of early notoriety. Release is scheduled for March 10th, exclusively through Juice, follow the link for release details.
CLOT x Nike Cortez
Black/Varsity Maize
DZ3239-001
3. 10. 23.
$150
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