Todd Bratrud is a name that should ring bells to any Nike SB collector worth a salt lick, being the brains behind a handful of the more sought after collabo Dunks in recent memory. He’s been instrumental in Nike SB’s tongue in cheek ’4/20′ drops over the past couple of years, as well as other bangers like the scrapped Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Freddy Krueger’. Bratrud recently touched down in Milan for a show celebrating his work, with the range of his Nike team ups on hand along with a selection of his extra-Swoosh work. Hit the jump with us to check out the Todd Bratrud x Nike SB exhibit and let us know what your favorite Todd-helmed sneaker design is.
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Todd Bratrud has once again put his lighter up to a new Nike SB Dunk High collaboration, and the result is as smooth and satisfying as anything we’ve seen from Swoosh Skateboarding all year. The Skatepark of Tampa-connected Dunk High SB ‘Cigar’ takes its inspiration from the Ybor City section of town famous for its production of fine tobacco products, though we can’t help but wonder if anything quite as nice as this specially-packaged pair of SB Dunks was ever created there. The suede on these is just top-notch, and paired with a dope tobacco-textured side panel to finish off the deluxe feel. These are sure to fly off shelves wherever they’re stocked, so be prepared when they hit Nike SB retailers like Michigan’s Premier starting tomorrow at noon local time.
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There was a ‘Space Jam’-inspired Dunk Low SB released earlier this summer, but would the model above be an even stronger association with Michael Jordan? From the various title celebrations to just getting swamped by paparazzi on a regular day out as per the usual for any global celebrity, MJ is quite often seen with a cigar in his mouth, and this new Nike SB Dunk High ‘Cigar’ designed by Todd Bratrud in conjunction with the Skatepark of Tampa manages to nail the aesthetic on the packaging and the shoe itself. Much has been made of the ‘Ybor City’ Dunk High SB’s rich, earthy suede tones, and now we get our best look yet at the cigar box-inspired packaging, along with details about the Tampa campout. Click through for a closer look from N-SB and let us know how these rank as we continue to see more frequent and intricate special edition packaging. And to get yours early, check out some of the pairs floating around now on eBay.
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Complex Magazine declared Todd Bratrud the top skateboard artist “right now” last December, and if anything, his profile has risen this year on the strength of two stellar collaborations with Nike SB. Bratrud’s ‘Cheech and Chong’ Dunk High SB might very well go down as 2011′s most infamous sneaker and his work on the SPoT x Nike SB Dunk High proves this guy’s work is absolutely smokin’. Bratud’s latest reprises the tear-away top layer rolled up on the Cheeches, this time along the side panel where you can already see the texture of a blunt skin. Click through to see more of some of the latest Skatepark of TampaSB Dunk in quite some time and stick with Sneaker News for the US release date on this September drop.
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Though it might not be as obvious a connection as the mere 225 miles from Miami to Havana, Tampa, Florida does indeed have a well-established cigar scene. The city has quite a few smoking bars and even cigar factories, so when Skatepark of Tampa wanted to follow up on 2008′s Dunk Mid SB ‘Moat’, they called upon a guy who clearly knows a thing or two about exhaling grey vapors. Todd Bratrud was the artist behind the ‘Skunk’ and ‘Cheech and Chong’ Dunk High SBs (among several others), and his latest collaboration is on the SPoT x Nike SB Dunk High ‘Cigar’. This Quickstrike release for September features some of the nicest suede and nubuck we’ve seen on a SB Dunk, the earthy shades descending into a black/grey mid/outsole that represents ashes. The side panel on these tears away to reveal a tobacco-like texture just like the Cheech release from earlier this year; does the special packaging make this one even better? Click through to see more angles, let us know if you plan to grab a pair of these and stick with Sneaker News for the Skatepark of Tampa Dunk High SB ‘Cigar’ release date. via N-SB
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Plenty of skateshops have designed sneakers for Nike SB, but that number for skate parks is fewer and further between, just a few notable spots around the country ever getting a chance to contribute to a special release like the one pictured above. Todd Bratrud’s latest Nike SB Dunk High is nicknamed ‘SPoT’ for its affiliation with Skatepark of Tampa, and to further their connection with Bratrud’s hobby of inhaling burning organic matter, this cigar-themed Dunk High SB will come in a flip-top similar to those you might see at a cashier’s stand. They also have tearaway material on the upper like Bratrud’s ‘Cheech and Chong’ Dunks from earlier this year, though presumably more earthiness will emanate from the scuffs instead of green. Click through to see more of the box and insole designs and stick with Sneaker News for the SPoT Dunk SB release date. via N-SB
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Todd Bratrud clearly has a thing for smokin’ Nike SB Dunk Highs, because not only did he craft the ‘Cheech and Chong’ edition that caused such a commotion this April, but also this new design for the Skatepark of Tampa. The Todd Bratrud x SPoT x Nike SB Dunk High ‘Cigar’ is vaguely similar to last year’s ‘Iron Man’ thanks to a red and gold dual-layered side panel Swoosh, but a series of brown shades ensures these come off more like tobacco than Tony Stark. Skate Park of Tampa is a well-respected icon of the skateboarding scene (and one of the best spots to buy your kicks), so click through for an additional shot of this upcoming collaboration and let us know what you think. Stick with Sneaker News for updates regarding a release because these are set to drop in September.
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Since a sequel to last year’s Skunk Dunk was first confirmed by Todd Bratrud a few weeks back, we’ve seen a variety of teasers and imagined what the follow-up might look like. While the joint theme seemed logical, at least from the limited sneak peeks that popped up, nobody could have seen this coming. While the majority of the upper sports a white canvas that we all know will give way to green suede underneath, the rear panel sports an unmistakable nod to Cheech and Chong and their stoner classic, Up in Smoke. It appears that the heel of the left shoe will feature Tommy Chong’s red bandana, while the right shoe uses a material intended to mimic Cheech Marin’s ski cap. Too early to say from these pics, but it looks like possibly denim on the tongue and lining along with your choice of black or green laces. These are expected to release as a quickstrike on April 20th and are rumored to be limited to only around 1000 pairs, so stay tuned for more pics and info in the coming weeks. via N-SB
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