South Korean sneaker retailer Kasina and adidas have partnered to release a pair of commemorative comic-themed sneakers in celebration of acclaimed artist Kim Jung Gi who passed away in October 2022. The custom Campus 80s are an homage to Kim Jung Gi, who was famous for his ability to draw sprawling and densely populated landscapes filled with people, tanks, buildings, superheroes, or animals. Kim Jung Gi has drawn artwork for DC Comics and Marvel Comics.
The design of the sneakers features a yellow suede base with black lateral stripes and white leather along the tongue and heel. There are different illustrations on the right and left sneaker, with the left sneaker displaying a tiger spitting out a bunch of skulls and the right one showing a little girl pulling the tiger’s tail. The heel tabs also show different sketched logos, and two sets of insoles feature illustrations of a tiger chewing the adidas logo. The sneakers are available and are set to launch on March 10 for $130.
Image Credit: adidas, <a rel='nofollow' href='https://hypebeast.com/2023/3/kasina-and-adidas-celebrate-artist-kim-jung-gi-with-adidas-campus-80s'>hypebeast</a>, <a rel='nofollow' href='https://hypebeast.com/2023/3/kasina-and-adidas-celebrate-artist-kim-jung-gi-with-adidas-campus-80s'>hypebeast</a>
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Comic-themed Footwear
- Opportunities to partner with artists and designers to create unique and collectible footwear designs.
- Customized Illustrations on Apparel
- Opportunities for brands to feature custom illustrations by popular artists or designers on their products, creating limited edition and exclusive items.
- Celebrity/memorial Merchandise
- Opportunities to create commemorative merchandise in partnership with or in memory of popular figures, catering to fans' appetite for collecting and honoring their favorite personalities.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Fashion/apparel
- Incorporating unique and creative artwork into pieces, footwear, and accessories to create eye-catching and exclusive products.
- Collectibles
- Promoting exclusive and limited edition items featuring popular artists or designers that can serve as collectibles, catering to the growing demand for unique and valuable memorabilia.
- Entertainment/media
- Expanding into merchandise lines featuring popular figures in comics, movies, or music to cater to fans' desire to showcase their support and appreciation through physical products.
