Sneakers
SNEAKERS OF THE YEAR 2023
22 December 2023With 2023 coming to and end, we take a look back at the sneakers that defined the year.
The sneaker sphere is something that’s in constant flux, its ebbs and flows defined by a multitude of external factors such as trends, tastes and cultural shifts. 2023 was a year where the technical remained at the forefront, with utilitarian footwear continuing to relish in the shadows left behind by gorpcore’s rise to ubiquity. What were once newer contenders, the likes of HOKA and Salomon, are now mainstays in the sneaker sphere, their names rightfully sitting alongside the established and esteemed three stripe, Swoosh and N-branded sneakers. Terrace culture, too, continued to dominate the spotlight, the relevance of adidas’ much-loved Samba as palpable as ever thanks to the likes of Wales Bonner, her intricacy and experimentalism elevating the terrace classic into higher fashion realms.
As the year draws to a close, we take a retrospective glance back at the shoes that defined 2023, delving into what made the year exciting and significant in the illustrious history of sneakers.
NEW BALANCE X ACTION BRONSON 990 v6 "LAPIS LAZULI"
For Action Bronson, New Balance has been an integral part of his life since his younger years, representing a staple in the milieu of his upbringing in Queens. It’s something that truly came full circle for the multihyphenate, when in March of 2023 he released his very own take on the 990 v6, dubbed “Baklava”. The sneaker was a bold, riotous take on the 990 v6, with Bronson stated he wanted to “capture everything that makes us up as beings”. The follow up, dubbed “Lapis Lazuli”, was also an exuberant — yet more wearable — take on the sixth generation 990, its various blue shades inspired by its namesake gemstone.
ADIDAS X WALES BONNER SAMBA
A collaboration that needs no introduction, the adidas and Wales Bonner partnership has gone from strength to strength since it first debuted in 2020, and it’s safe to say that the creative union has played no small part in the meteoric return of the adidas Samba silhouette to the world sneaker stage. With a number of high-profile models landing in 2023, it’s difficult to pick a favourite, but the adidas x Wales Bonner Samba in Silver captured the zeitgeist like no other. Perfectly reflecting the collaboration’s unique perspective, Grace Wales Bonner charmingly transformed the iconic terrace style with a shiny silver upper, crocheted three stripes, and elongated tongue for a stylish yet eminently wearable make-up.
NIKE X TIFFANY AIR FORCE 1
2023 hit the ground running for Nike collaborations, marking a momentous occasion in the Swoosh’s collaborative history. After being teased and rumoured online, the Nike and Tiffany Air Force 1 was given its much-anticipated release, bringing together two undisputed icons of American fashion. The shoe of choice was the Air Force 1, taking the sneaker from its humble basketball origins and elevating it into luxury status. The approach taken was a deviation from the sneaker’s norm, the most notable difference being laser-etched silver plates at each heels. The rest of the sneaker received a bespoke makeover, too, with premium black suede detailed with a Tiffany Blue® Swoosh and an archival Tiffany logo worked into the tongues. A selection of sterling silver accessories also released alongside the sneaker, with a whistle, a shoehorn, a brush and a dubrae all in Tiffany silver.
HOKA X _J.L-A.L_ Tor Ultra Low
Collaborating with progressive British designer _J.L – A.L_, HOKA tapped into the designer’s unconventional world with a subtle make-up of the Tor Ultra Low sneaker. Focussed on continuous development and technological innovation, _J.L – A.L_’s design language is centred around an embodiment of the cutting edge, inspired by the inherent ability of nature to create protection, comfort and functionality from simple structures. Drawing inspiration from sand dunes, the colour palette was selected to evoke the dusty tones of open plains and deserts found at high altitudes.
ASICS X CECILIE BAHNSEN GT 2160
Infusing a footwear icon with an expression of modern femininity, ASICS’ debut collaboration with Danish womenswear designer Cecilie Bahnsen saw the GT 2160 transformed with a flourish of her floral outlook. Blending the classic appeal of the Mary Jane shoe with technical running aesthetics, the GT 2160 sits beautifully at the intersection between couture and ready-to-wear, boasting cutting-edge style filtered through the lens of ASICS’ namesake mantra: “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” – “A Sound mind in a Sound Body”.
STONE ISLAND X NEW BALANCE 991 V2
2023 was a big year for Stone Island and New Balance, not only did they kickstart the year with their take on the 574, but they brought the year to a close with another heavy hitting release, their take on the 991 v2. The collaboration marked the first co-branded take on the follow up to the flagship sneaker, ushering in a new era of the silhouette with significant potency. The approach taken was inspired by repurposed industrial spaces, abandoned warehouses and factories which now represent homes to clubs, galleries and bars throughout the globe. It was referenced in both the sneaker’s colour palette and construction, with cold tones of olive, grey and black, as well as a mesh upper inspired by latticed metal. Co-branding remained subtle and in keeping with the sneaker’s darkened vibe, with the subtle addition of Stone Island’s compass patch at the tongue.
ASICS X HAL STUDIOS GEL 1130
The second part of Australian creative house HAL STUDIOS’ collaboration with Japanese footwear brand ASICS, the GEL 1130 MKii ‘Forest’ saw the two brands deliver a continuation of their natural theme, rendering the retro runner silhouette in a palette of rich browns, deep grey and light birch. The centrepiece of the collab, this make-up captured the attention of sneaker fans with its elevated take on a signature ASICS sneaker, infusing the model with bespoke details and co-branding throughout. A refined contribution to the year’s sneaker canon, ASICS and HAL STUDIOS have laid the foundation for a fruitful collaborative partnership, so we’ll be waiting to see what the duo come up with next as we move into 2024.
NIKE X CORTEIZ AIR MAX 95
Corteiz is a name that really needs little introduction in the world of streetwear, having been at its very forefront in recent years. This year marked yet another string to the bow of Clint’s Corteiz, marking an enormous milestone for the brand: its first partnership with Nike. The silhouette of choice made perfect sense for the partnership, with the Air Max 95 — or 110, as it’s so commonly named — being deeply embedded in the cultural movements of the UK. The approach taken was fairly simple — which isn't a bad thing when it comes to the AM95 — its anatomy-inspired uppers in gradient hues of green leather, accompanied by mesh netting in tonal shades. Bright yellow accents were also worked into the sneaker’s details, with Corteiz branding at the heels, toes and tongues.
NEW BALANCE X PATTA 991 V2
In recent years, New Balance and Patta’s collaborative partnership is one that’s grown from strength to strength, with the two brands regularly coming together to further elevate classics from New Balance’s line-up. With their latest link up, the two came together to turn their attention to the all-new 991 v2, releasing the sneaker in a duo of colourways. The approach, much like their previous releases, represents a tasteful and detailed design approach; one sneaker arrived in a burgundy hue while the other a dark shade of green, with both detailed with co-branded embroidery at the tongues and heels.
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