Paying tribute to the 2008 Olympics and host city Beijing, the major athletic players deliver gold-medal styles designed to capture some of the excitement of the big event.
Photographed by JOHN AQUINO & GEORGE CHINSEE.
Creative Director: Regina Popp
Stylist: Brittany Sullivan
Fashion Assistant: Jillian Wu
Market Editor: Jennifer Ernst Beaudry
Adidas:
The German athletic powerhouse is the official sponsor of the games, so expect to see the iconic three stripes on the feet of both players and workers. But even those who don’t have stadium access can pick up a gold, silver or bronze: Super-limited-edition versions of Adidas’ Microbounce shoes in the metallic shades will be available at Adidas Sport Performance stores in New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Beijing, starting Aug. 1.
New Balance:
Hitting the market globally in August is New Balance’s three-pack of its classic 576 style, which pays homage to Chinese opera and its traditional characters masks. The orange shoe represents the character Jing, who embodies power and force; the green shoe represents Mo, the character of maturity and honesty; while the red shoe represents Chou, who is crafty and cunning.
Puma:
With its Usan Metallic Croc sneaks in the colors of the Puma-sponsored Moroccan, Swedish and Jamaican and track-and-field teams (the shoes’ eight-striped graphic mimics the eight lanes of the track), Puma brings its new Uni stitched construction to fans on the homefront. And for supporters who want to wear their Olympic spirit a little higher, Puma Concept stores will be selling exclusive medal-themed bags designed by master’s degree students at Central Saint Martins’ School of Fashion in London.
Nike:
Nike’s 1984 Olympic Pack is a tribute to the Chinese athletes who made a splash at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Stores in China got priority on the kicks, released earlier this year, but a few lucky sneaker shops (including Dave’s Quality Meat in New York) have the limited-edition Vintage Nylon Cortez, Air Max 1, Dunk Trainer High, Blazer Low, Wildwood 90 Free Trail and Court Force High. |
