Porsche and Puma, known for their collaborative sneaker ventures primarily in the realms of lifestyle and racing, are now delving into the world of basketball footwear with their latest partnership.
LaMelo Ball MB.03
The first offering in this collaboration is the LaMelo Ball MB.03, the third signature sneaker for the Charlotte Hornets star. Drawing inspiration from Porsche’s iconic 930 Turbo, it features a striking black and yellow colourway reminiscent of the car’s factory gold paint job, complete with the Porsche logo adorning the heel.
Cars and shoes… in some ways, they can be considered have similar functions since both ‘transport’ people around, though in very different ways. Cars use energy from the combustion engine or electric motor to move but with shoes, you have to provide your own energy. So it’s not unusual that on World Car-Free Day (September 22), Volvo Cars Canada and Casca footwear will launch a limited-edition sneaker. Available in Canada for $198 (about RM645), the shoes have been inspired by the fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge.
“At Volvo Cars, we are committed to setting the highest standards of sustainability in mobility and that goes beyond electrifying our fleet to transforming all aspects of our business. The shoe we have created with Casca in celebration of World Car-Free Day, is one way to recognize the many steps we are taking on our journey to climate neutrality,” said Matt Girgis, Managing Director of Volvo Car Canada Ltd.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
For a carbon-neutral future
As would be expected, the shoe is all about sustainability in the long term, and both brands have a shared vision for a carbon-neutral future. On Volvo Cars’ part, there is a commitment to reducing lifecycle emissions per vehicle by 40% by 2025 and producing only fully electric vehicles by 2030. Casca’s adoption of water-based, low-energy UV treatment processes coupled with their 2-year product warranty are a testament to their ‘buy less, waste less’ philosophy.
“The Volvo XC40 Recharge was designed to reduce environmental impact, so it was the perfect inspiration for the shoe,” said Kevin Reid Lead Director and Co-Founder, Casca. “Through this collaboration, we’re also celebrating many design firsts – our first shared design, our fastest production to market, and new recycled materials we’ve never used before.”
Scandinavian influences
The goal was to create a shoe rooted in conscious design. Scandinavian influences of the XC40 Recharge were purposefully integrated for a collaborative new interpretation of Casca’s trademark clean lines. For instance, the ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlight influence can be seen in the linework and panelling, delivering a more performance-inspired aesthetic to Casca’s popular Avro silhouette.
The Swedish flag is represented on one shoe tag, while the classic Casca yellow can be seen on the other, honouring the collaboration between the two brands as well as minimalist, Scandinavian design.
Recycled materials
Of course, an important aspect of the shoe is how it is made and its environmentally-friendly credentials come from having 10% of each sole made from recycled car tyres, the first time this material has ever been used in a Casca shoe as part of an intentional repurposing and recycling of materials. Furthermore, 7 recycled plastic bottles are used to make the yarn for each breathable, flexible knit upper.
Those two features are a preview of some of the initiatives by both companies. By 2025, Volvo Cars aims to increase the share of recycled and bio-based materials in their vehicles by 25%. By 2022, all of Casca’s knit uppers will be made from recycled or renewable materials.
By 2025, Volvo Cars aims to increase the share of recycled and bio-based materials in their vehicles by 25%.
“We know that being advanced isn’t just about great design and technology; it means implementing ethical and sustainable practices,” said Braden Parker, CEO and Co-Founder, Casca. “This is just one of many similarities we see between our brand and Volvo Cars, we both want to create something with intention that lasts.”
To celebrate the launch of the 2021 Lexus IS, RTFKT – creators of virtual sneakers and collectibles – came out with a one-of-one shoe featuring design elements inspired by the IS 350 F Sport Dynamic Handling Package. From its athletic stance and slimmer headlights to its carbonfibre spoiler and bold colour schemes, the IS drove the team to design RTFKT’s first pair of footwear inspired by and partly constructed from vehicle materials.
“We wanted to make sure when the audience looks at the sneaker, they instantly know it is the IS,” said Chris Le, Creative Director and co-founder of RTFKT. “All the intricate design elements come together, and at a first glance it’s a neck-breaker,” added Steven Zaptio, CEO and co-founder of RTFKT.
Creating the exclusive sneaker
The RTFKT team first selected a base with a sole closely resembling a tyre for their custom silhouette. Features on the front are shaped like the vehicle’s signature spindle grille, with 3D printed material imitating the carbonfibre spoiler of the car. The sides of the sneaker showcase Black NuLuxe with light grey stitching from the seats, with a middle silver stripe inspired by the details of the headlights. The team added an F SPORT tag on the side and a Lexus badge covering the top Velcro strap. Lastly, they selected a vibrant blue hue for the sneaker that most closely resembles Grecian Water, a new colour for Lexus in 2021.
Videos document the process
RTFKT and entertainment media company Complex documented the sneaker creation process in a 3-part video series, ‘Rubber & Sole’, on Complex.com. In the first episode, the team is challenged to create a bespoke shoe inspired by the 2021 Lexus IS. Zaptio and Le take notes, from its newly designed spindle grill down to its NuLuxe interior, using the vehicle as their muse.
The second video shows the ideation of the sneaker, from sketching designs to prototyping and materials sourcing. The third and final episode showcases the final details of the sneaker and explains how it is derived from the IS.
This partnership is part of the ‘All In’ campaign for the new 2021 Lexus IS, where the automaker celebrates those who fully embrace their passions, while showcasing its own obsession: an unapologetically pure sport sedan.
“RTFKT put the same passion into developing this one-of-a-kind shoe that we did in developing the new 2021 Lexus IS,” said Vinay Shahani, Vice-President of Lexus marketing. “Steven and Chris delivered a head-turning sneaker that unmistakably mirrors the bold design and impressive performance of the IS.”
Founded by Zaptio and Le, RTFKT is a global collective of designers merging next-gen gaming and sneaker culture and works with more than 150 3D artists to create its designs. The studio focuses on one-of-a-kind creations, from colour-changing sneakers made from futuristic materials to digital-only virtual collectibles. Their special edition sneaker inspired by the 2021 Lexus IS sport sedan will not be available for sale anywhere in the world.
Visit www.lexus.com.my to know about the models available in Malaysia.
