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The legendary designer's résumé grows One name you should know within footwear is that of Steven Smith ... his career spans decades and multiple brands – as he is responsible for a bevy of silhouettes we know and love today. A tried-and-true collaborator and innovator; his résumé bolsters footwear's giants including New Balance, Nike, adidas, Reebok, FILA and YEEZY. Smith's magnum opus began in 1986 at New Balance where is vision spawned the New Balance 550, 574, 997 and 1500. In addition to the American staples; Smith's works include the Nike Air Spiridon, Nike Skylon, FILA Grant Hill 1 and the innovative Reebok Instapump Fury. Leaving his mark at each stop along the way, Smith has worked alongside Kanye West and his YEEZY brand in a collaborative effort since 2016. You can see his influence across YEEZY aesthetics – particularly with the Yeezy Boost 700, which has helped usher in the "dad shoe" era craze and the Foam RNNR, seen above. DONDA officially announced the hiring in a statement. "Steven Smith with 37 years of experience in sporting goods, footwear, military electronics and apparel design is appointed as Head of DONDA Industrial Design."

"She dunked it!" The words above followed one of the WNBA's most iconic moments in the league's fairly young history to that point. The day; Tuesday, July 30th, 2002 – the venue; Staples Center, Los Angeles, California – the moment ... all that stood between Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member, Lisa Leslie and immortality was a fastbreak and a 10-foot regulation height rim. After gathering the outlet pass on the break, Leslie – ahead of the field, leaped into the air in her player exclusive Nike Air Max Elite, off one foot, palming the ball in her right hand completed the first dunk in league history. Leslie who was no stranger to history making moments in her career, once scored 101 points in a single half while attending Morningside High School, causing the opposing team to forfeit at halftime. The Compton native and USC standout once agin was adding to her illustrious basketball legacy in her home. Twenty years now separate us from the dunk and to commemorate the moment, Nike is fittingly releasing a Los Angeles Sparks flavored Nike Dunk Low. Bearing the color palette of the franchise, the Court Purple and Clear Emerald leather body is graciously touched by the hit of Sparks gold on the underlay and sports Leslie's no. 9, stitched into the lateral heel in the team's typeface. Release of the 'Lisa Leslie' Nike Dunk Low comes weeks before the anniversary, on July 8th and will be available on SNKRS. WMNS Nike Dunk Low "Lisa Leslie" ("The Dunk") Court Purple/Clear Emerald DO9581-500 7. 8. 22. $130

American contemporary art meets the GOAT 2022 marks the 35th anniversary of the Air Jordan 2 and while an influx of collaborations have hit the shelves to celebrate the silhouette, it is receiving yet another assist in the star power department. New York-based contemporary artist Nina Chanel Abney's x Air Jordan 2 Retro is a new and unique take on Peter Moore's 1986 design. Infusing her own artistic prowess and flair, the upper's overlay has been stripped away, and reduced to a minimalistic look; clean cut lines anchor the toe cap and heel counter but still maintains the definition of the model. In fact, the rendition is eerily similar to the Air Jordan 2's unreleased prototype, which came prior to the finished version we've come to know today. Releasing in both a high and low cut, the first features the textbook 'Chicago' pallet and the other, a Malachite gemstone green provides the accentuating role. And in an ancillary role, Abney's art details the packaging both on the exterior and interior of the special box. Furthermore, accessory offerings by way of a complete capsule collection; including an adjustable cap sporting the timeless Wings logo and patterned socks which cleverly bears six Larry O'Brien Trophies. In addition to a jacket, hoodie, baseball jersey, t-shirts, pant, sports bra and funnel-neck half-zip top. Nina Chanel Abney's x Air Jordan 2 collaboration will release on July 8th on SNKRS via The Draw. Nina Chanel Abney x Air Jordan 2 Retro White/Gym Red-Sail-Black DQ0558-160 7. 8. 22. $250 Nina Chanel Abney x Air Jordan 2 Low Retro White/Malachite-Neutral Grey-Sail-Malachite DQ0560-160 7. 8. 22. $225

When it comes to Joseph Robinson, better known to the world as Joe Freshgoods, there are two things you always have to respect ... no. 1, the hustle. Nobody in the industry has a hustle that matches the Chicago native, and no. 2, the aesthetics; because no matter the assignment ... he gets it every single time. And this time ... this time, it's partnering with Vans. As part of the Vans Vault program, Joe teased three upcoming color schemes of his Vans Old Skool project. Seen below, he's sporting a deep pink motif with an alternating pink and white checkered pattern, which features "JFG" strategically placed within the pattern. One that is repeated across a red and tan color scheme as well. Each housed within a pink slide box, that honors both Vans and JFG, the side of the box reads, "Everything Happens For A Reason". No word on a street date yet, but this is another project we'll all have our eyes on as time moves forward.

Despite having seemingly defied Father Time on the court ... we're all aware that we're in the twilight when it comes to the illustrious career of LeBron James. And with that has come the burgeoning of ventures away from the hardwood – the most popular and forward facing of those is "The Shop." And when Nike first began to bring LeBron signatures back in 2017 beginning with the Air Zoom Generation, the LeBron III was not too far behind. Since then, we've seen the Air Max LeBron VII, LeBron 8 and LeBron 9 all make retro appearances and with rumors of the LeBron II coming back into the fold this fall, the LeBron III is back to take a little of the spotlight. Utilizing the strapped overlay of the upper, this LeBron III is colored; red, silver and blue for the barber's pole that has been a fixture outside and inside of barbershops for generations. All on a dense black upper and matching silver enclosed Zoom midsole. Release is slated for July 13th and will hit select retailers as this is a quickstrike release. Nike LeBron III QS Black/Metallic Silver-University Red DO9354-001 7. 13. 22. $185

Travis Scott x Nike are back in the saddle once again, after a product launch hiatus; but since returning, the duo have already moved the Air Max 1 and Air Trainer 1 collaborations. And now it's time for one of the most rumored and they year's most anticipated drops – the Air Jordan 1 Low. We've seen mock-ups, we've Travis sporting the colorway himself, and even gifting a fan with a pair straight off his feet. The "Reverse Mocha" Air Jordan 1 Low is the first Cactus Jack x Air Jordan drop since last summer's mega-collaborative offering from Travis x Fragment Design x Jordan Brand. And usually, where there's smoke ... there's an Air Jordan 1 Retro High to follow. But, for now ... we have the AJ1 Low on the table and official images of the special project, in all its glory. A smooth white leather anchors the model as a Sail reverse Swoosh is centered along the lateral wall, and features a 'Ridgerock' brown underlay to complete the aesthetic. Along with Cactus Jack branding of course. Release is rumored for July, but as the previous drops, expect to see this one on SNKRS. Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low "Reverse Mocha" Sail/University Red-Ridgerock DM7866-162 xx. xx. 22.

Arguably the most beloved of the Nike Flyknit line is the Flyknit Racer, and despite the few year absence of the silhouette, the Swoosh is teasing the general public with the Air Max Flyknit combo. Taking features from the Air Max Pre Day and of course the aforementioned Racer, the body is that of the fair weather model and the laces are the thin round style of the 2016 iteration, but adds overlays at the eyelet, heel clip and the midsole/outsole. So, while we may have to wait a little longer to see the Flyknit Racer return as the Flyknit tech turns 10, this year ... it will be worth the wait, but this will have to hold you other for now. The silhouette will drop in women's sizing, so pull out those conversion tables. Nike WMNS Air Max Flyknit "Multicolor" Ghost Green/Black-Pink Blast-Photo Blue DM9073-300 7. 14. 22. $150

The Nike Air Force 1 is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2022, and with that comes Virgil Abloh's anticipated and intriguing rendition of the silhouette. Having already collaborated on the Air Force 1 Low, Abloh takes his OFF-WHITE imprint to the Air Force 1 Mid. And seems to embrace New York City's affinity with the ever-versatile model, while of course adding his signatures. It is a far cry from the luxurious take of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1, but it carries its own effervescence; such as the graffiti-styled AIR typography centered on the tongue, to a reworked midsole but also features cues from Abloh's work on the Nike Dunk, Vapor Street and Terra Kiger – with the addition of a lacelock as the gemstone of the added lacing system. To the track spikes molded onto the toe and medial portions of the cup sole. The OFF-WHITE x Air Force 1 Mid serves as another foray into Abloh's mind, where we've seen in the past him ponder what the Nike Blazer would look like with an ACG infusion, thanks to the Terra Humara vulcanized onto the heel. Release of the collaboration has yet to get an official launch date, but as official images always indicate, launch is not far behind. Stay close to Sole-U for further release info. OFF-WHITE x Nike Air Force 1 Mid Black/Clear-Black DO6290-001 xx. xx. 22.

California Dreaming Los Angeles storefront, Union is having themselves a banner year; that, honestly has spanned 2021 and carried momentum seamlessly into 2022. Dating back to last year, with their Air Jordan 4 Retro 30th Anniversary collaborations – the first stanza of this year has been complete with the Nike Dunk 'Passport Pack' and the twin Air Jordan 2 Retro drops. And as Nike celebrates its 50th birthday, so does an original Swoosh icon, the Nike Cortez. A favorite son of the West Coast, specifically LA, the Nike Cortez is the honorary silhouette of the area. It is as Los Angeles as the Hollywood Hills to Crenshaw Blvd. It is the western equivalent to the Air Force 1 for New York. And true to the brightness and vibrance of Los Angeles, the "Un-Cortez" as its been dubbed is a reflection of the people and the creativity, the style of the City of Angels. In the short film, we are introduced to the reworked silhouette in a cozy tan motif, complete with suede textures, the Union logo emblazon on the heel tab and accenting color pops to draw the eye. In addition to the inverted sky blue color scheme as well. And a third, ash black based look. Release of the collaboration has yet to get an official launch date, but it is coming soon as Union promises. Stay close to Sole-U for further release info.

Six months into 2022 and we've seen a litany of releases from adidas Originals as it relates to the Yeezy Boost silhouettes. Throughout the year, there's been a combination of restocks of familiar and beloved colorways, new color schemes, new iterations – the entire gambit has been covered by the Three Stripes in a rather short timespan. On deck is a new take on the Yeezy Boost 700, which has been rumored to release for quite some time. Dipped in a vibrant 'Hi-Res Red', the 700 takes the color palette of the 'Waverunner' colorway but just submerges the mesh and leather body in a blissful primary red. All while featuring a tonal clay-like midsole and matching blissful primary red outsole. The release is of the new colorway is confirmed for June 17th and will be available at select adidas Originals retailers. Additionally, you can sign up on the adidas Confirmed app to enter the raffle for purchase. adidas Yeezy Boost 700 "Hi-Res Red" Hi-Res Red HQ6979 6. 17. 22. $260

Joe Freshgoods' 'Conversations Amongst Us' project with New Balance was Joe's initial venture into his Creative Director role with the Massachusetts footwear conglomerate, and from that yielded two silhouettes; the 2002R and 550. It was mid-April when we alluded to the addition of a 'Conversations Amongst Us' Kawhii II, with its original [then-upcoming] May release date. May has now come and gone, and with release dates always subject to change; the project's date has been pushed to June. Utilizing the motif of the previous releases, the neutral color scheme is back at work but on Kawhi Leonard's second New Balance signature. The upper has been given an aged appearance with the midsole and underlay adorned in a crackled look. All atop a solid, textured gum rubber outsole. The second collaboration between Freshgoods x Leonard x New Balance comes two years after the "No Emotions Are Emotions" run during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend. Release is slated for June 3rd at select New Balance retailers. Joe Freshgoods x New Balance KAWHI II "Conversations Amongst Us" Dawn Glow Raw Cashew BBKLSBM2-716 6. 3. 22. $160

Vans + Anderson = Vanderson 🤯 Perhaps the collaboration we never knew we needed was in front of our very eyes this entire time. As the simple equation spells out for us above; it's elementary – quick maths, eight-time Grammy Award winner and one half of Silk Sonic, Anderson .Paak is collaborating with the California staple, Vans. Both native to the Golden State, the project is an expression and ode to the artist's heritage, creativity and community. The project hits extremely close to home as members of Paak's family; including his son, sister, nieces and nephews all take a role in the collaboration's unveiling. The collection consists of a t-shirt; bearing a "Vanderson" graphic design, straight-leg pant, paisley jacquard printed jacket (on the inner lining), socks, matching printed bucket hat and robe. So you can be as fly as Anderson. And as launch is scheduled for June 24th; Vans Director of Global Music Marketing, Tierney Stout hints at upcoming projects. One of which is slated for June 27th, when Paak will perform at the House of Vans London. Scroll for the official campaign imagery below. Anderson .Paak x Vans 6. 24. 22.