Browsing the "Japanese Brands" Category
April 18th, 2013 by Aaron Hope
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Like plenty of modern lifestyle labels, the signature release from Losers draws on traditional athletic footwear. Standing on the shoulders of a giant in the Vans Old Skool, the Losers Uneaker makes itself distinct with a variety of applications including the neck-breaking shark teeth edition that’s already synonymous with the young brand. Click through to see those pair’s perf embellishments along with other styles including houndstooth, a new slip-on style with Power Rangers-ish graphics and a new midtop, and stick with Sneaker News to see if this burgeoning Japanese label continues to expand its sphere of influence.
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April 17th, 2013 by Aaron Hope
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We saw a similar treatment back in March on the iconic Rod Laver, so even if these aren’t technically ‘collaborations’ with United Arrows, they’re still contributing to something great here. Following up on that Beauty & Youth effort, the umbrella brand applies its own touch (presumably including cork footbed) as this adidas Originals ZX 500 OG for United Arrows takes on a similarly classic white/green colorway. These will arrive at select retailers starting early next month and you can see more angles below.
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April 17th, 2013 by Aaron Hope
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Japan’s United Arrows brand family doubles its attention toward the New Balance 996 for women with a new collaboration hitting in limited numbers at select European retailers. This green label relaxing x New Balance WR996 goes for a more colorful approach than the Beauty & Youth edition, opting for springy pastels all-over, which finishes nicely with a white/grey sole setup. A variety of stores will have these over the next week-plus, so check with your favorites and stick with Sneaker News because more NB collabs are crossing borders than ever before.
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April 12th, 2013 by Aaron Hope
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Here’s a second look at the first X-Large co-signed Superstar, which also happens to be the first giraffe-print look for the venerable shelltoe in its quarter-century plus. This XLarge x adidas Originals Superstar 80s picks up where last year’s Campus-including ‘Leopard’ capsule left off for the Japanese streetwear label, applying the aforementioned novel pattern to the horsehair Stripes, tongue and heel tab of two otherwise black suede/white sole makeup. Giraffes can ward off predators, even killing lions, so the prey to be concerned about is their appearance on this April 27th release at XLarge stores; check them out after the jump and let us know if these are on your trapping list.
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April 4th, 2013 by Aaron Hope
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New Balance hadn’t issued a brogue-embellished sneaker in nearly five years, and overnight our expectations double with word of another Far East collaboration. INVINCIBLE and X-Large avoid direct confrontation as the former’s 1400s get to play the male lead opposite a forthcoming X-Girl x New Balance 574. They’re not officially connected, though one can’t help but notice the similarities in these two dark suede styles from Japanese imprints early this week. This X-Girl 574 sets itself apart with star-shaped punches and varsity-block text on the laces, and will arrive in May (further symmetry here with Mother’s Day, while INVINCIBLE’S hits in June for Father’s). Stick with Sneaker News for updates, but X-Girl’s collabs haven’t been easy to get in the States, so you’ll definitely want to see more below.
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April 3rd, 2013 by Aaron Hope
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The Tokyo sneaker shop whose outward facing wall shows off hundreds of coveted styles goes in the opposite direction with a bit of concealment applied to their latest collaboration. This Kicks Lab x Puma First Round Lo adds a Cordura camouflage Formstripe atop black suede base, and gives your choice of tonal or red laces. Either configuration garners an extra pop thanks to metallic gold on the lining, so have a closer look below and stick with Sneaker News to see if any of this 300-pair limited run hits US retailers.
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April 2nd, 2013 by Aaron Hope
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The latest Converse Chuck Taylor All Star looks like it doesn’t just feature the namesake baller/salesman on the signature medial ankle patch. And even if it’s not the legendary Charles Taylor for whom the shoe was renamed who adorns it, it’s hard not to think of him when when you see the short-shorted retro hoopsters on this new ‘Basketplayers’ All Star Hi. Mint and white canvas uppers have been treated to an all-over pattern featuring basketball players and cheerleaders, and you can see more of this latest Converse Japan release after the jump.
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April 2nd, 2013 by Aaron Hope
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The Insta Pump Fury continues to be Reebok’s collaborative showcase, showing up once more in an animal print design as contributed by a Japanese sneaker boutique. This newest mita sneakers x Reebok Insta Pump Fury can be seen as something of a sequel to their more straightforward leopard edition that released a little over a year ago. This time around, mita adds a micro polka dot pattern on top, leaving the feline elements subdued to the point that they’re mostly just adding a bit of tonal depth until you get up close. Contrast stitching seems appropriate on this black/white design with royal tongue and heel loops; have a closer look after the jump and let us know how these compare to other Insta Pumps and printed kicks, animal or otherwise, and stick with Sneaker News in case they make an appearance here in the US.
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