Designer Jun Takahashi gave the public a first look at the UNDERCOVER and Nike collaborative React Element 87 sneakers at Paris Fashion Week FW18 in March. Two months following the reveal, there was a look at some captivating colorways of the silhouette to be dropped later this year. The four colorways include a Light Beige Chalk, University Red, and Signal Blue blend, a Bolt, Black, White, and University Red blend, a Green Mist, Summit White, Deep burgundy, and Linen blend, and a Lakeside, Night Maroon, Black, and Electric Yellow blend.
The uppers are slightly translucent to give it a sense that they are deconstructed, which also allows the plethora of colors to stand out and fuse beautifully together. The collaboration now confirms a date for its launch, with sneakerheads marking their calendars for September 13.
Translucent Shelled Sneakers
UNDERCOVER and Nike Join on a Line of React Element 87 Shoes
Trend Themes
1. Translucent-shelled Sneakers - The trend of incorporating translucent materials in footwear design creates an opportunity for future experimentation with materials that enable creative color blends in footwear design
2. Collaborative Fashion Design - Collaborative fashion design projects between established designer labels and sporting brands is a growing trend driving innovation within the fashion industry
3. Sneakerhead Culture - Sneakerhead culture continues to grow and offers an opportunity for innovative footwear design and brand collaborations
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - The fashion industry can continue to disrupt and blend fashion and sportswear while exploring novel materials and technology integrations in future design projects
2. Sportswear Industry - Sporting brands can generate disruptive innovation in footwear design by leveraging upcoming fashion designer collaborations and seeking out visionary footwear designers who create unique and innovative products utilizing cutting edge production technologies
3. Footwear Industry - Footwear designers can experiment with translucent materials and innovative blending of colors to produce cutting edge, customized footwear that is visually striking and appeals to the accruing customer base of sneakerhead consumers and fashion influencers