Monday, September 30, 2013

2013 Nike Doernbecher Collection

Here's a quick look at the 2013 Nike Doernbecher lineup with the full story featured below. 







Nike and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Ore. are proud to celebrate the 10th year of the Doernbecher Freestyle Program, a unique collaboration that has empowered 58 young patients through design and raised more than $6 million for the hospital to help expand pioneering research, support clinical care, purchase state-of-the-art equipment, recruit new experts and help cover the cost of care for families most in need.

The partnership between Nike and OHSU Doernbecher began in 2004, inspired by a conversation that Nike Global Creative Presentation Director Michael Doherty, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Doernbecher Foundation, had with his son about a way to raise awareness and funds for the hospital. The idea became for patients to design one-of-a-kind shoes, with proceeds to benefit the hospital.

Beginning that first year and every year since, the Doernbecher Freestyle Project has brought together a group of OHSU Doernbecher patients with Nike designers and developers to create shoes that are truly unique to each patient. It’s a collaboration, but with the patients at the center of the design process—deciding the colors, materials and details for each shoe to reflect their individual personalities and life experiences.

The 2013 Doernbecher Freestyle Collection will include apparel and footwear. The Limited Edition Doernbecher Collection will be sold at www.nike.com and at Nike retail locations across the country later this fall with all proceeds from sales of the collection benefitting OHSU Doernbecher.

In honor of the 10th anniversary, Nike Global Product Creative Director and long-time Doernbecher Freestyle designer Mark Smith also created the Nike Dunk High 10th Anniversary Collection, celebrating all of the patients involved with the program over the last 10 years by featuring their names and glow-in-the-dark elements to symbolize their strength and spirit. Two sets of the collection will be auctioned off at special events in Portland and New York City to benefit the hospital.

Daniel Pena, 12

Air Jordan Retro 10

Daniel is a huge Michael Jordan fan, with an encyclopedic knowledge of every game, every comeback, and every shoe released throughout Jordan’s illustrious career. So when it was confirmed that he’d be designing a Jordan shoe for the collection, Daniel said, “I kind of freaked out.” Like Jordan, Daniel has reinvented himself as an athlete again and again. Because his hemophilia causes problems in his ankle, he frequently changes up his sports so that he can continue to compete. Daniel’s shoe, the Nike Air Jordan Retro 10 is also a story of reinvention. It features a slew of first-ever features, like a modified logo that’s customized just for Daniel. It’s also the first time you’ll ever see a clear outsole on the Jordan Retro 10. The stealthy upper sports a glossy camo print that’s inspired by Daniel’s love of video games. And in a nod to his days riding the BMX circuit, a tire tread races down the heel and straight into the sockliner.


Elijah Diggins, 14

Nike Air Foamposite 1

Elijah likes to play baseball and says he’s a pretty good pitcher. His baseball team actually won the state championship and his dad is quick to point out all the boards that have been knocked out of their garden shed by his son’s killer throw. Behind his modesty is a tenacious kid with untold reserves of strength who was put to the test last year when he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Leukemia and underwent a tough course of chemo. When faced with the opportunity to tell his story through the Nike Air Foamposite, Elijah poured his heart into it. His design features his very own smiley-face logo, which turns into his initials when viewed sideways. The fiery red and black palette is a tribute to his favorite athlete, Lebron James. On the tongue, Japanese characters symbolize courage, along with Elijah’s signature. A chain-link graphic on the sockliner is taken straight from his most prized possession—a silver bracelet that was a gift from his parents when he began chemotherapy. For Elijah, his design is a very personal thank-you note to the place that he credits with saving his life. “When I was in the hospital, I kept thinking ‘Doernbecher has done so much for me—how am I going to give back?’”


Kira Smith

Nike Dunk Sky Hi

Kira loves frills and lace, performance and poetry. At 17, she’s already an accomplished dancer and an aspiring designer with an impressive portfolio of sketches. And though she may sometimes be mistaken for her identical twin Kate, there’s no mistaking her one-of-a-kind Nike Dunk Sky High. Inspired by her love for Victorian fashion and a playful fascination with Alice in Wonderland, Kira’s one-of-a-kind Nike struts its stuff with lace embossing, ribbon laces, and a corset detail up the heel. The outsole features Kira’s hand-drawn graphics and a quote from a certain Cheshire cat that reads, we’re all mad here. Kira said proudly, “It’s been an honor to represent patients with mental illness.”


Kate Smith

Nike Roshe Run

Kate is a gentle 17-year-old with a warrior’s heart—she loves her medieval sword collection and bow and arrow set. Kate’s shoe, the Nike Roshe Run, is the ideal choice for adventurous getaways. The black leather is a nod to the biker jackets she favors; the side panels are her favorite shade of forest green. She added a few rhinestones for extra bling and an embossed coat of arms that features a mythical phoenix clutching Kate’s sword. But the words on the back sum up Kate best: You are stronger than you think you are. “Strong, fierce women like Joan of Arc are some of my favorite role models,” she said. Kate knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity. After battling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with her twin sister Kira, she emerged victorious from the experience and determined to shed light on the disease, battling the misconceptions head on.


Bella Stone, 9

Nike Free Run 5.0

Bella is spunky, ambitious and outgoing. But more than anything, she’s a miracle, who wasn’t expected to survive when she was born. Twenty surgeries and one brand new kidney later, she plans to defy the odds even more by becoming the world’s first combination singer-doctor-actor-dentist. Bella approached the design of her shoe with the same unstoppable energy. Her custom kicks have pink sparkles, rainbow colors and a big heart with a kidney-shaped accent that’s meant for her Aunt Krissy, who donated one of her kidneys when Bella was just two years old. Other sweet details include a “B” surrounded by 20 hearts; one for each of her surgeries. The words Live, Dream, Hope and Faith circle the outsole, and an embroidered microphone reflects her passion for music. “I love to sing! I know most of the Broadway musicals by heart,” she explained.



Ross Hathaway, 11

Nike Zoom Stefan Janoski

Not only can Ross land a 180 on his skis and pull some pretty cool moves on his skateboard, he even has black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Pretty impressive for any kid—especially impressive for one who has lived with cystic fibrosis since he was in kindergarten. But instead of letting it slow him down, Ross and his family have thrown their energy into raising money for cystic fybrosis research. Now Ross is excited to share his passion and story with a far larger market—one that’s going to be clamoring for his Nike Zoom Stefan Janoski skate shoe. He says he carefully considered his audience when coming up with the design. “As a skater, I thought a lot about how it would look against the board,” he explained. The result is a shoe that Janoski himself would be proud to roll in. The uppers feature dimensional pops of color inspired by the crystals in Ross’ rock collection. You’ll find a pair of lungs on the outsole; inside, a digital rose is a nod to 65 Roses, (which is what some kids call their disease since it’s easier to pronounce.) And just for good measure, Ross threw a couple of palm trees around the logo to reflect his love of tropical places.


Monday, September 30, 2013

Air Jordan 12 GS "Gamma Blue"

Continuing the trend of "Gamma Blue" Air Jordan models are the Air Jordan 12 GS "Gamma Blue". Rumored to be another holiday release, the pair features a black nubuck base with leather gamma blue accents. There's still no official release date, but keep it locked to FollowTheKicks for more sneaker news and updates. 


Sunday, September 29, 2013

Ronnie Fieg x ASICS Gel Lyte V "Volcano"

A while back we showed you the first teaser of the upcoming Ronnie Fieg x ASICS Gel Lyte V "Volcano", and now we have a full image to share with you. The pair features a combination of burgundy and red along with a  nubuck and mesh mix. There's no word on a release date, but check out the official image below and stay with FollowTheKicks for more news and updates. 


Saturday, September 28, 2013

Jordan 6 Rings Cool Grey/University Blue

It looks like Jordan Brand has another Jordan 6 Rings in store for us, so let's take a look at the colorway. The pair features shades of grey throughout with hints of university blue on top of a white midsole. There's no release date yet, but stay locked with FollowTheKicks for more updates. 



Saturday, September 28, 2013

Air Jordan 1 Mid "Gamma Blue"

Just a couple of days ago we showed you images of an Air Jordan 1 "Gamma Blue" model featuring a black base; today we have another "Gamma Blue" colorway to share with you. Set to drop during the holiday season, the pair features a gamma blue trim with cool grey hints and wool material throughout on top of a whit midsole and blue outsole. No release date yet, but stay with FollowTheKicks for more updates. 



Friday, September 27, 2013

Air Jordan 6 "White Infrared" 2014 Retro

2014 is lining up to be an epic year for the Jordan Brand 23rd Anniversary. Releases include the Air Jordan 6 "White Infrared" featuring a white leather base and black infrared accents. The pair is set to launch February 2014, but stay tuned to FollowTheKicks for more news and updates. 



Friday, September 27, 2013

Air Jordan 5 Retro GS Teal/Pink-Purple Release Date

It looks like Jordan Brand is hitting us with a brand new gs colorway for the holiday season. The pair features a teal base with purple and pink accents on top of a blue-tinted translucent sole. You can cop a pair for yourself or someone you know just in time for thanksgiving Satururday November 23rd for $115. Keep it locked to FollowTheKicks for more updates and releases. 


Friday, September 27, 2013

Adidas Originals Superstar 80's "Derrick Rose" Release Date

In celebration of NBA superstar Derrick Rose's 25th birthday, adidas Originals are dropping a special Superstar 80's model. The limited edition sneaker features a black base with blue accents, his birth year of 1988 on the heels, along with Gold foil branding. You can cop your pair on Friday Oct. 4th through select adidas Originals accounts. 


Friday, September 27, 2013

Reebok Shaqnosis "Escape from LA" Release Update

During his time as a Los Angeles Laker, Shaq earned three NBA finals MVP trophies. As a way to pay homage to his accomplishments, Reebok is hitting us with the Reebok Shaqnosis "Escape from LA". The pair features a black base with a multi-colored upper, yellow fun man logo,   and red vector logos sitting on top of a purple outsole. You can cop your pair Friday October 18th through select Reebok accounts. Be sure to stay with FollowTheKicks for more news and updates. 


Friday, September 27, 2013

Air Jordan 1 Retro '94 "Venom Green"

In addition to the Air Jordan 10 "Venom Green", Jordan Brand is expected to release an Air Jordan 1 version in 2014. The pair features a similar colorway as its Jordan 10 counterpart and is expected to launch in an Air Jordan 1retro '94 model. No word on a release date yet, so be sure to stay with FollowTheKicks for more updates. 


Friday, September 27, 2013

Nike LeBron 11 GS Orange/Silver

It looks like Nike is hitting with a very strong colored LeBron 11 GS sneaker sometime soon. The pair features an orange base with yellow hints and silver accents on top of an icy blue outsole. There's still no word on when/if this colorway will drop, but check out the images below and keep it locked to FollowTheKicks for more updates. 



Friday, September 27, 2013

Air Jordan 10 Retro "Venom Green"

Joining the ranking of retro releases for Jordan Brands 23rd anniversary next year are the Air Jordan 10 Retro "Venom Green". The pair features a black leather base with nubuck mudguard and hints of green and grey on the inner lining and sole. The "Venom Green" are expected to hit stores in March 2014, but keep it locked to FollowTheKicks for more news and updates.