The end of the year is fast approaching, and while we might all be slowing down in the lead up to some festive celebrations, the releases keep coming. We’ve pulled together some of the most notable new styles from December.
Nike SB x The Powerpuff Girls
Celebrating 25 years of the crime-fighting, the ‘Chemical X’ infused superheroes and Nike have teamed up to release three colourways of the Nike SB Dunk Low, one for each of the team, and each unique design details.
A ‘mean green’ and black pair for Buttercup, with black laces, outsole and a tonal black on black, double layered swoosh and a smooth, matte finished leather upper. Bubbles’ style has an almost reflective, lenticular material used for the upper, that reflects a shimmering pattern throughout. Contrasting ‘tour yellow’ laces and swoosh complement the university blue upper and the textured material used as the main design feature contrasts well against the satin tongue and details that are found across all three models.
Completing the trio is a bold bright pink pair for the character of Blossom — orange flashes are given to the branding and lacing of this model, with the contrasting black accents standing out more prominently than on the Buttercup and Bubbles counterparts.
All three Nike SB x Powerpuff Girls sneakers feature their respective characters’ eyes embroidered on the heel of the shoe, a suitably punchy cartoon insole and 3M reflective outlines around the panelling that illuminates under lighting.
Nike SB x Powerpuff Girls drops on December 15th via SNKRS.
Converse Chuck 70 Hi Christmas Pack
Once again bringing some festive flare to the classic sneaker silhouette, Converse have released two pairs of playful Chucks that feature unique panelling details, seasonally earthy tones and charming 3D characters that are reminiscent of cliche christmas jumpers.
Both the dark green, christmas tree motif-ed and reindeer adorned brown pairs are laced up with a velvety bow, giving an element of festive lustre to the special releases.
If you’re keen on the colourways but want some wearability outside of Christmas day, fear not, the reindeer and gingerbread characters are attached via the velcro panels that run around the heel and lateral sides of the sneakers.
Converse Chuck 70 Hi Christmas Pack are currently available.
Wonka x Nike Dunks
Releasing alongside the newest adaptation of the character on the big screen, these sneakers are limited to only five pairs. Designed in collaboration with the man playing the master chocolatier himself, Timothée Chalamet, the Wonka x Nike Dunk pair up has all the requisite whimsy you’d expect.
A Wonka-style colour palette, with flashes of bright blue and burgundy throughout the upper, a distressed swoosh that is reminiscent of the jacket Chalamet wears in the new movie along with velvet laces and a finishing touch of a ‘W’ branding on the tongue.
Those who want to be in with a chance of getting their hands on these sneakers are ebing asked to post videos to their social media, showcasing their creativity across food, art, fashion, style, décor and gaming using the hashtag #WonkaPureImaginationContest.
Palace x UGG
After their initial collaboration in March of this year, the cult skateboarding brand and Y2K icon are back again, this time with a twist on the massively popular Tasman slip on.
While the previous outing gave an electrifying spin on the Classic Short Boot model, this time around is steeped in the playful graphical icons that Palace’s clothing is famous for. Embroidered patches, emblems and characters cover the entire shoe, with a bold, unmistakable ‘Palace’ logo appearing right on the outer side of the toe box.
The Palace x UGG Tasman is available in two colourways — a classic and familiar brown, and a deeper olive tone. You can find them on site now.
KAWS x Nike Air Force 1
How do you reinvent a classic? You don’t really. At least that’s not what KAWS ‘collaboration with one of the most worn sneakers on the planet has tried to attempt.
Releasing on December 16th in black or white colourways, the ‘Cloud Force 1’, keeps the majority of the sneakers design unchanged. The silhouette, panelling details, laces and sole will all be familiar and almost indistinguishable from a general release pair. The iconic swoosh, however, gets the full KAWS treatment.
A contrasting grey, cloudy themed swoosh sits on top of the unchanged sneaker, making the point of difference and collaborative nature of the release (ironically) clear as day.
This collaboration isn’t solely a branding experiment though, Nike and KAWS have teamed up with Dover Street Market to offer proceeds on the sale of these shoes, and the apparel that is releasing with them to benefit Sky High Farm Workwear, a charity that aims to deliver long-term food security to underprivileged communities.
