Converse has significantly expanded their selection of themed Chuck Taylor releases in the past few years, but one of the very first alterations this beloved classic ever received was the dual-layered design that allowed you to expose the inside color by folding the outside into a collar.  So while this isn’t the first time the One Star has offered a Chuck with an ankle collar as a key feature, the Converse All Star Turndown LC Ox is indeed a unique expression of this American classic’s DNA.  These come in at a peculiar-to-Chucks midtop height thanks to a leather-laced turned-down collar that accents the ivory or mossy brown leather uppers with red and blue beads.  The latest example of Converse Japan‘s envelope-pushing approach blends Native style with an OG silo, but would you buy them if US retailers had a stock?

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In describing the CLOT x Nike Tennis Classic Suede that’s set to release, we noted that while they’re not built in the same style as their spectacular 1World Air Force 1 Lows, there is indeed a ‘Museum’ version that seems to have multiple possible appearances.  How this glossy look appears to you will depend strongly upon the lighting where its seen, but even more so upon the extent to which they’ve been hand crafted.  You see, one in five pairs of the Tennis Classic AC TZ ‘Museum’ will be hand-finished and individually by CLOT, but it looks like they’ll only be available at Hong Kong’s Juice on the February 22nd release date.  Stick with Sneaker News for word on the suede version, and let us know which ones you’d pick.  via The Hundreds

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Next Monday’s Chinese New Year is the earliest celebration in 45 years, so that gives sneaker manufacturers just enough time to surprise us with a few last-minute releases before the Year of the Dragon gets underway.  Puma becomes the latest to join the party with this shoe and jacket combination, both done in the color most commonly associated with modern China.  The Puma Suede and T7 jacket each offer their own take on vibrant red, the former opting for a woven suede that hints at dragon scales, and the latter offering a variety of graphic details both tonal and in contrasting gold.  Click through and you’ll be able to see more photos of both items, then hit up your overseas connects to obtain them from Puma Hong Kong.  via HB

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Converse seems set on replicating the success Nike has seen in recent years with their annual Lunar New Year sneaker releases, and the nubmer of One Star shoes themed after the Chinese Zodiac continues to climb with almost each passing day.  The latest revelation is a new pair of Converse One Star 74 II Ox lowtops crafted in an embossed red nubuck that bears the reptillian texture you might expect to find on a patch of dragon skin, if such a thing were to exist.  These have all the look of a fiery beast without any of the need to carry a sword, and they’ll be available just in time for the celebration next month at Asian Converse retailers.  via FRESHNESS

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Debuting last year as a fresh new tangent from the Nike Zoom Kobe signature line was the Nike Zoom Kobe Venomenon that released alongside the ‘big brother’ Kobe VI. Here we have a look at the second installment of the Venomenon series in three colorways; the Venomenon II features a similar low-cut design (rather similar to the Zoom Kobe V) with a faux-snakeskin print on the upper of the Black/Del Sol colorway. The other two White/Royal and ‘Duke’ version feature smooth flat synthetic leather. Expect these to hit Asian retailers in the Spring 2012 cycle alongside the Zoom Kobe Dream Season IV, so check out the three colorways of the all-new Zoom Kobe Venomenon II and let us know what you think. via soleroom.

Nike Zoom Kobe Venomenon II
Black/Del Sol-Cool Grey-White
487787-002

White/Concord-Cool Grey-Black
487787-100

Black/Concord-Black-White
487787-001

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New Balance has a handful of trail models that have crept into the lifestyle category from their originally intended design (think the H710 and the MT580). With that being said, they’ve still got things locked when it comes to full on boots, as shown here by this new silhouette-the New Balance MO673 SB Gore-Tex, which comes with a waterproof upper and a chunky sole that’s ready for action. Last time we gave you a look at this pack, the comments section reflected a lament over its apparent Asian-exclusivity, but at least one spot over here will have them up for grabs. Continue on after the jump for a better look at all three and grab them now from the always on point, Packer Shoes.

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The ‘Battle in Beijing’ might not be a real military conflict, but there was indeed quite a bit on the line when the 2011 edition went down on Christmas Eve in China.  That’s when a lucky 24 sneakerheads got their hands on a double-pack of Nike Zoom Kobe VII System Supreme ‘Leopard’ and a previously unseen Air Force 1 Low in all white with purple laces to bring the two designs closer together.  Both came with ‘Battle . . . ‘ hangtags that furthered last year’s theme, but their double-drawered box, while nicely detailed, can only compare to the GR release of last year’s LeBron 8 V/2 ‘Christmas.  The special wooden packaging wasn’t replicated on this year’s double-up, so would you have rather had one shoe in a sick box or two dope pairs, each with its own special theme?  Let us know with a comment when you click through to see all the photos and stick with Sneaker News for all the Zoom Kobe VII release dates.  via HC

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