# Athlete-Backed Shoe Designs This James Harden and Y-3 Sneaker Design Debuted at Paris Fashion Week By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-01-23 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/james-harden-and-y3 References: [highsnobiety](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/y-3-fw18-footwear-details/) & [sneakernews](https://sneakernews.com/2018/01/18/james-harden-y-3-jh-boost-paris-fashion-week-debut/) A highly anticipated design for the 2018 Paris Fashion Week is the James Harden and Y-3 collaboration. It is not the first time [adidas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prime-x-20) launched a fashion-forward shoe design that is athlete-endorsed. Earlier in January, the professional basketball player offered a sneak peak of the Y-3 JH Boost on his [Instagram](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hartcopy) feed. Around the same time, Yohji Yamamoto and adidas were holding the Y-3 presentation for the full Footwear 2018 collection. The design features a soft black upper and a tasteful white soul. Yohji Yamamoto has created a familiar styling that encompasses both athletic appeal and futuristic aesthetic. This gives the shoe a signature look that is well sought out by loyal consumers. The Y-3 JH Boost is no stranger to adidas's relentless strive for innovation. The James Harden and Y-3 collaboration includes SPEEDFACTORY tech and Carbon's signature 4D sole. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 58% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Athlete-backed Shoe Designs:** Opportunity for brands to collaborate with athletes and designers to create unique and fashion-forward footwear. - **Fashion-forward Sneaker Designs:** Opportunity for fashion brands to create sneakers that combine athletic appeal with futuristic aesthetics. - **Innovative Footwear Technology:** Opportunity for shoe companies to integrate cutting-edge technologies like SPEEDFACTORY tech and Carbon's 4D sole in their designs. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** Fashion brands can leverage athlete endorsements to create trendy and sought-after shoe designs. - **Sports:** Sports brands can collaborate with fashion designers to create fashionable sneakers endorsed by athletes. - **Footwear:** Shoe companies can explore innovative technologies and materials to create high-performance and fashionable footwear. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Off-White Chunky Joint Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prime-x-20.md) - [Organic Sleek Avant-Garde Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contranatural.md) - [Lifestyle-Catering Molded Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/molded-leather.md) - [Chunky Collaborative Fashionable Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-and-y3.md) - [Rounded Heel Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/idoso-boost.md) - [Dynamic Avant-Garde Stealthy Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gendo.md) - [Collaborative Football Fashion Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/y3-predator.md) - [Dynamic Collaborative Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clot-superstar.md) - [Dynamic Fashion-Forward Basketball Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basketball-sneaker-1.md)