BEST OF 2017: COLLABORATIONS
What a year for collabs right? A lot was dropped and copped this year, but also a lot were passed on. It was disappointing to see most shops using the NB1 options as their features. To me, that's not very original and an instant turnoff. If I feel I can make the shoe on NB1 then I'm passing...regardless of the hype or (limited edition) number. Ok enough with the negative. Let's get to the features! Here are my best collaboration projects of 2017:
TOP COLLABORATIONS 2017:
Concepts 'Tyrian' 990: Purple and 990v2 go together like peanut butter n' jelly! prior to me picking up the 990PS as previously mentioned; this pair was going to be the closest I would get. The all-over dusty plum suede was all I needed to satisfy my needs. I like how simple and clean they are. I even removed the lace lock, and stuck with the purple laces so that nothing would distract or take away from the purple throughout this silhouette. Concepts, you did a great job on these and I hope you come back to this model yet again.
Beauty & Youth 247: Around June, only a couple images of these smooth, suede, and 3m 247's had surfaced. They came and gone with no hesitation...almost forgotten about. About 2 months after their silent release; my friend @gopre5k resurrected the awareness for this pair so I decided to start looking for us. I started on the Beauty & Youth website...luck of the draw! They still had my size along with my @gopre5k for 50% off! @yukigraphics was the hero behind this pickup because he was able to order them within Japan and then ship them to us! Thank you again my friend. It is more than appreciated.
Stussy 990: If you follow me then you know how many 99X I have...One model I was hesitant on was the 990v4...not because I didn't like them, but just because there were older colorways of other models I would rather have. When the Stussy dropped, it caught my eye as a clean and simple shoe (not worth some of the advertised pricing imo) but overall a nice shoe. It was a genuine surprise to unwrap these beauties on my birthday as a gift from my mom. Now owning a v4...I see what the craze is about. The construction and comfort are great!
Concepts 'Hyannis' 999: Is it really a surprise that these made it on my list? I had a feeling there would be at least 2 Concepts collaborated projects on this list by the end of the year. Being one of the many that never got their hands on the first 'Kennedy' 999 this was our 2nd chance so-to-speak. There was only one issue...I was across the country at the time of the original release at Complex Con. I'm grateful to say I have some selfless friends that were able to pick up the red pair for me + with the help of a plug ;). I was super stoked I got at least one pair...but what about the blue? Concepts announced an online drop the following week! 'knock on wood' I've never not been able to get a concepts drop online so I felt really confident and sure enough at 8:03am PST on 11/16 I was able to secure the blue pair. Thank you again Concepts, Deon, and Tarek for all that you do for the culture. Your customer service and continuous/consistent creativity is constantly raising the bar.
