Official Images Of Zoe Taaffe’s Nike Dunk Low “Doernbecher Freestyle”

Michael Le April 18th, 2022 (updated)

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Zoe Taaffe, as Nike puts it, is “one in a million.” They drive this point home atop the young sneaker designer’s Dunk Low, which draws influence from Taaffe’s passions as well as her experience battling an extremely rare autoimmune disease.

Taaffe admits that “no one could connect the dots until [she] got to Doernbecher.” Up until that point, she was afflicted with random swelling, coughing, rashes, and a fever, all of which were stabilized following blood and plasma transfusions, steroids, and chemotherapy. Though a trying time, the strong 17-year-old is grateful to have seen her chosen profession up-close, and is now looking to pursue a career as a nurse.

Made in collaboration with Nike, the Dunk Low “Doernbecher Freestyle XVII” starts as a love letter to the Tualatin native’s favorite team: the Oregon Ducks. Their signature yellow and green colors are applied to the mid-panel and eye stays in alternating fashion, situated between a bold, customized zebra print. And upon closer glance, the graphic reveals Zoe Taaffe’s name; the shapes, too, celebrate the creator, subtly referencing the stretch marks that the above-mentioned steroids caused. Additionally, the shoe proffers a glow-in-the-dark outsole, an Oregon Ducks inspired nursing symbol, interchangeable Swooshes, and the word “fearless” across the laces.

For a closer look at Taaffe’s design, check out the official images below. Following the auctions hosted earlier in the year, a wider retail release will land later this Spring, with a rumored release date of April 30th. Sit tight for further updates.