Nordic Denim House Blog » Sneakers

The #KobeSystem

Taavi Kuisma — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:24:15 +0000

What’s the #KobeSystem and what can it do to you? I guess it’s not just what can the system do for you but where do you go once you’ve already reached “the beyond” As Nike put it, “Where do you go from the top? You go over the top. The #KobeSystem: Success for the Successful is Kobe’s winning, results-oriented philosophy on how to adapt to succeed. You’re Welcome.”

The #KobeSystem follows an impressive line of Nike ads that just embody the WTF effect. I mean we had Robert Rodriguez and Kobe Bryant doing a movie about the Black Mamba, and now we have the #KobeSystem that is helping the ones like Richard BRanson, Kanye West, Jerry Rice and Serena Williams to go beyond the top.

The almost brainwashing style and certain thematics of the ads have even gotten people linking the ads to the Illuminati and such. Hmm… Not sure about that but I can safely say that the #KobeSystem has gotten people talking.

KIKS GIRL

Taavi Kuisma — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:42:04 +0000

Our friends at KIKS TYO have put together a little video teasing us of what’s to come from the brand in the Spring and Summer 2012 season. New Sneaker & Girl tees are not the only thing coming up, the good folks at KIKS TYO have also put together a KIKS GIRL DVD which will be available through KIKS TYO next spring (2012). The photography is by KIKS TYO’s founder HOBBY:TECH and just to add to the teasers, the style is slightly different from the last few seasons from KIKS TYO. For now we have a little teaser video and plenty more to come. All I can say is that the S&S 2012 collection is looking hot.

Nike Mag 2011

Taavi Kuisma — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 07:46:51 +0000

The last day of Nike Mag 2011 auction. You still have a chance to cop a pair of these instant classics. The prices have settled a bit since the first day of auction and you can now get yours for a mere sum of 3000 USD (or even less). Even celebrities like Kanye West and MLB pitcher Brian Wilson (of the San Francisco Giants) have been spotted rocking the shoes. But these people can easily afford the 10k USD shoes. I read that Wilson actually bought two pairs of which one is in use where as other remains in ice.

Via nikemag.ebay.com.

But what about the story behind the shoe? I shared some of the background before, but there is so much more to this shoe than the movie and web forums can tell. In the below video, the minds behind the shoe tell the story of the Nike Mag 2011 as it should be told. Although the idea was damn cool, I bet even the team could not have imagined how popular the shoe will actually become.

I am sure the shoes just like the movies will continue to inspire people from all fronts. Below just one example of the influence this release has had. A very cool billboard by Brent Rollins for Undefeated.

Via Hypebeast.

I have a sudden urge to actually bid for the shoes, but I guess I won’t go about doing this to retain the domestic peace. However if you have some cash at hand, maybe it’s a good time to invest in shoes that take you Back to the Future…

2000 pairs of sneakers – A guided tour to ShoeZeum

Taavi Kuisma — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:11:58 +0000

This is just madness. You might think you have an impressive collection of kicks, think again. The ShoeZeum has a sneaker collection unlike I have ever seen before. Better yet, now we can all get an idea of the collections’s massive awesomeness that can barely be described by words. I mean imagine pretty much every significant limited edition sneaker ever released all in one place. I bet there is no sneaker head out there that’s not impressed with the collection.

Air Jordan III & V Baby Socks

Taavi Kuisma — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 06:03:05 +0000

I know sneaker heads who go all the way to equip their children with the fly kicks they themselves are wearing, but kids can only start wearing sneakers at certain age, so what can they wear before that and still keep up with daddy’s (or mummy’s) Air Jordan “hobby”. The answer is Air Jordan Baby Socks.

Quite a cute package if you ask me. Not the most necessary baby accessory, but makes a nice memory to save for the future. I mean the reality is that the baby can fit the socks for only few weeks/months before you need bigger socks. At least that was the case with Maxwell. Below a little video that highlights the “origins” of these socks.

Via Sneaker News.

Playboy Sole Mates

Taavi Kuisma — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 11:38:24 +0000

The release of the Air Jordan edition of Playboy is just behind the corner. The issue is featuring top 23 Air Jordan kicks of all time as well as some lovely ladies or “Sole mates” as Playboy is referring to them. Few days back Playboy released some preview pics featuring nice kicks and pin up posing in a classy Playboy manner as one might expect. Not bad at all.

For more pictures you can refer to playboy.com/solemates.

Via Freshness.

adiZero Crazy Light – Nike meets Chainsaw

Taavi Kuisma — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:36:30 +0000

Chopping a competing sneaker to prove a point was not enough for Adidas. They decided to chop another Nike kick to make it Crazy Light. This time with a chainsaw…

Crazy Light

Taavi Kuisma — Wed, 25 May 2011 01:57:30 +0000

It’s always nice to compare features of a product to a competing brand for instance. You can do that in many ways but seldom the comparison is direct and happens in a video ad. Adidas in their promotion of the new 9.8 oz AdiZero Crazy Light blow a direct hit at a very significant competitor. While the short clip does have some wow effect in it, it also raised a question; “are they allowed to do that?” Still the clip is pretty funny and I recommend paying attention to the disclaimers on the bottom, kind of adds insult to the injury.

Video after the jump.

Via Highsnobiety.

Converse Chuck Taylor Canvas Experiment

Taavi Kuisma — Fri, 13 May 2011 11:53:14 +0000

What do you get when you combine Chuck Taylors, awesome idea and video games? “A playable version of Space Invaders (classic) with the game formed on the wall with different Chuck Taylors flipping back and forth instead of your typical pixels.” (Freshness) The video and idea are pretty impressive. I’m pretty sure this is not the easiest adaptation of the game, but the video’s definitely worth a watch.

Via Freshness.

Super Mario All Star

Taavi Kuisma — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:22:52 +0000

Remember this?

One of the greatest games ever made if you ask me. Celebrating the 25th birthday of Super Mario Bros Nintendo has joined forces with Converse bringing out a limited edition Super Mario monogram All Star Chuck Taylor with iconic Super Mario images on the canvas upper. Also the Converse Star has gotten a familiar makeover Super Mario style.

Pictures courtesy of shoesmaster.jp.

Pretty awesome collaboration and better yet the shoes look good as well. The images are not too offensive and fit the All Star’s all-purpose look really nicely. Still it feels as if the series has to be older than just 25 years. But at the same time one’s like, “has it been 25 years already?”. My own Nintendo saga began in 1990 with the Nintendo 8-Bit NES system, which by the way is still in perfect working condition at my home in Finland.