Junya Watanabe’s recent sneaker collaborations have carried his own name, most notably a duo of Reebok Insta Pump Furys, the latter of which came to market with a matching RC car for one of the craziest ‘packs’ we’ve seen this year. The next one comes in a completely different style, and instead of just Jun’s own name on the project, it’s the Comme des Garçons fashion label to which he’s contributed so many designs. The eYe Comme des Garçons x New Balance 1400 is something like the opposite of the purple and pink polka-dotted Insta Pumps, a simple black suede number with grey stitching and accents that’d be a hit with classic running fans no matter the collaborator. Check them out up close below and stick with Sneaker News to see if Jun Watanabe’s NB1400s ever make it to US retailers. via hfundercov
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Japan’s mita sneakers is set to launch a fairly extensive list of Nike Sportswear Air Max runners and their offspring on Saturday, April 28th, and the most recent revelation isn’t just a pair that they’ll get before US retailers, but rather, one that was crafted by mita for mita. These new mita sneakers x Nike Air Max+ 95 BBs are dubbed ‘Neo Escape 2.0′ in reference to the continuation of a theme begun back in 2006, but the color scheme is decidedly different this time around and there’s no word as of yet of other pairs joining the party. Check out the ‘Neo Escape 2.0′ Air Max+ 95 BB after the jump and let us know if these are now on your must-import list.
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Much has been made of this year marking the 20th anniversary of the Barcelona Olympics and its unforgettably dominant Dream Team, with slightly less attention being paid to earlier events including the 1972 Munich Games. But did you know that along with models like the SL 72 and Munchen, adidas also debuted the Trefoil logo we’ve come to know and love almost exactly forty years ago? It’s with this birthday in mind that adidas Originals’ Japanese contingent has come through with a quartet of new releases, two each of the adidas Originals Rod Laver Vin and Superstar 80s LTHR, each group of which reflects its design’s heritage while pushing forward toward today’s trends. Check out all four in additional images below and we’ll update you should these hit the States. Photos: Hayabusa
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Sneaker collaborations are so common these days, many designers are looking for an extra edge to have their products stand out against a market that puts them out ‘x’ the hundreds. Some rely on teasing and limited availability, others resurrect forgotten classics and then you have a visionary like Jun Watanabe who’s pushing the envelope from all corners. Watanabe’s latest Reebok Insta Pump Fury was already audacious in its preview images thanks to a black-on-white dalmatian print accented by pink-to-purple gradients, but applying this motif to Tamiya’s popular Hornet RC car makes for one of the more interesting tie-ins in recent memory. You’ll have your choice of whether or not to buy the Hornet (as well as with or without accessories) which means not every pair is guaranteed a complete package, but it also ensures that fans of Watanabe’s new Insta Pump Fury won’t be priced out by an ‘extra’ that can cost more than the shoe itself. Click through to see the whole range, let us know what you think and stick with Sneaker News for more coverage of Japanese-exclusive sneaker releases. Photos: Eproze
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Japanese streetwear concern WHIZ LIMITED is a brand many US sneakerheads wouldn’t even know were it not for their New Balance collaborations, and after Whiz’ second NBs drop later this month, they’ll forever be linked with star cutouts. The WHIZ x mita x New Balance CM1700 will release at select AP retailers this Saturday, April 28th, but thanks to the glow-in-the-dark underlay that makes those cutouts into a reflection of the night sky, these are sure to have NB heads on this side of the planet jockeying for position on one of the few inevitable imports. Check out this unique asymmetrically colored design in greater detail after the jump and stick with Sneaker News to see if any American retailers get them in stock. Photos: EyesCream
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Nike Sportswear’s VNTG series has been polarizing sneakerheads for about five years now, evenly splitting the masses between those who love the oxidized look and others who’d prefer to let their kicks age naturally. adidas Originals has typically opted for other ways of expressing a vintage vibe with their releases, but on this new teamup with mita sneakers, they’ve authored something that’s going to be even more of a hate-it-or-love-it affair. The mita sneakers x adidas Originals Campus 80s pair black nubuck and a pearly University Red compliment with one of the yellowest soles we’ve ever seen on a new sneaker. They have an antique look that’s only going to get better as those crisp black uppers get banged up a bit, but first you’ll need to order your pair from adidas or at select retailers like Mr R Sports. Photos: ITSB
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When we mention an ‘atmos Air Max 95′, chances are, you’re picturing the 2003 collabo whose Smolder, Khaki and Metallic Gold build foreshadowed the rise of both collaborative designs and the use of earth tones to enhance the wearability of classic performance models. Nearly a decade later, both are well established in what we now know as the ‘lifestyle sneaker’ market, and though its pristine build is quite unlike their ’03s, atmos’ upcoming Nike Air Max 95+ BB is likely to earn a similarly memorable reputation. It’s worth noting that the sole in these new images appears more golden than the earlier bluer leaning appearance, which might mean anything from a sample to a slight variation for a WMNS release. In any case, we get our first look at these with five Olympic Rings-colored laces in addition to the white base color, and with the popularity of relatively simple designs approaching the white summer sneaker season, we can’t help but wonder how many other designs will follow suit. atmos once again runs ahead of the pack, and their Air Max 95+ BB will make waves on the same April 28th launch date that Nike Basketball issues several ‘Home’ versions of their Elite Series. Click through to see more images and let us know which of those upcoming white/gold kicks catches your eye.
atmos x Nike Air Max 95+ BB
White/White-Metallic Gold
511307-170
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Stussy collaborated with the One Star on both Elm and Sea Star lowtops in March, but they must like the Converse CX-Pro Ox best, because already for the second time in just over six months, they’re readying a duo of new releases. These two are split evenly between simple, as in black on black with a white sole and laces (blocked just like last year’s) and relatively complex, which would be the earthy brown camo whose round shapes gives that pair a slightly less aggressive feel than your average camouflage sneakers. Check out both in more photos below and expect these at Converse Japan stockists shortly. via EspionageKicks
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