Ryan Holler
(1145 )
Moderator
Artist Info
| 11:51:00 PM Sunday, October 22, 2006
GROUND RULES FOR THIS THREAD...
Keep it related in some way to sneakers or the KG community... i.e. a new design rendering, a recent shoe purchase, a sighting of an interesting shoe, an encounter with a notable person in the sneaker world, or if you've been around here for a while, anything you've done which other KGers would find interesting. |
Ryan Holler
(1145)
Moderator
Artist Info
| 12:13:00 AM Monday, October 23, 2006
Of course I wouldn't have started this unless I had something worthwhile to kick it off at the time. As most of you know I'm now designing for Wal-Mart, yes affordable sneakers. When my first ones get ready to drop I'll share photos and maybe a development story.
Anyway, it doesn't seem like it's been 2 years since adidas sent me and my son, Harrison, to LA for the TMac 4 commercial shoot. Since Harry was about as big a part of that story as I was, I figure you guys might like to peek in on him again, now 2 years later.
He got to go skateboarding with a legend last Friday. At Wal-Mart we sell skate shoes by Mike McGill under the brand "Airspeed"---http://airspeed.us/---. Mike recently came to Wal-Mart HQ and had a few hours of spare time before catching his flight home. So we took him to the skate park so the local kids could meet the originator of the "McTwist", a term you've surely heard if you've ever watched a half-pipe competition in the X-Games or Winter Olympics. If you don't know what the McTwist is, it's a 540 degree spin with a flip, performed on a skateboard or snowboard, a move which Mike made famous as he and Tony Hawk pioneered commercial skate videos in the mid-80s as part of the Bones Brigade. He is a super nice guy and spent at least 2 hours signing autographs and playing S-K-A-T-E (like H-O-R-S-E on a basktball court) with the kids. Harry is the one Mike's elbow is propped on...
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Ryan Holler
(1145)
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| 12:29:00 AM Monday, October 23, 2006
Harry's new skateboard, custom painted by yours truly. He just said he wanted hot pink grip tape and for me to paint it with "something Johnny Cash". I know... "Johnny Cash"... "skateboarding"... "hot pink". I guess it's the irony that makes in interesting. Maybe you kids get it. I really don't, but the board turned out pretty cool I think...
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Tony Hardman
(850 )
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| 1:36:00 PM Monday, October 23, 2006
The board looks sick! Though I don't get it either. LOL. I guess we're getting old, Ryan. How's everything at WM? Good idea on the general discussion! -TH |
Ryan Holler
(1145)
Moderator
Artist Info
| 10:29:00 PM Monday, October 23, 2006
Thanks Tony. It's going very well. Had a great day today. What's more exciting than designing an all white cheerleading shoe?
Not griping though. It's better to flip the question and think of the multitude of things I could be doing that are LESS exciting than designing an all white cheerleading shoe. The fun is in finding a way to make every shoe/project interesting. |
Tony Hardman
(850)
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| 10:56:00 PM Monday, October 23, 2006
Hey Ryan, trust me when I say, if anyone does- I UNDERSTAND!!! lol. |
sarah w
(168 )
Artist Info
| 12:53:00 AM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
just bought these (adidas histerica) for indoor soccer. it was a tough decision over the beautiful sambas, but they were only $20 (!! thank you, sports authority sale rack and my size 7 feet !!) and that much more comfortable (as a women's specific boot over a kids' specific).
so what does everyone else say,
comfort over design or vice versa? does price affect your decision at all? (sambas were $45 btw)
PS ryan, did you stencil/spray the design on the board? (i don't get it either, btw. walk the line was pretty good though?)
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Christoph Döttelmayer
(441 )
Artist Info
| 7:21:00 AM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
hej sarah i like those!, great deal for the 20 bucks, check out the trainer schoe i just got, they were 65 euros though, but they are new! also for soccer, but more like turf ground!
cheers
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Christoph Döttelmayer
(441)
Artist Info
| 7:22:00 AM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
by the way it´s the Puma V1.06 Trainer |
johnny szabo
(889)
Artist Info
| 10:42:00 AM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Nice shoes Christoph. Sarah nice for 20 bucks. It depends what purpose I buy the shoes for, if they're for bball comfort, but casual thats a different story. |
paul boucher
(143)
| 11:15:00 AM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
These are the latest shoes I got. The Jordan IVs Mars Blackmon Edition. I got them for nostalgia. They were $130.00 at Hibbets Sports and the only place that had my size. I think it was because they don't have an online order system. They went on sale at 12 am Saturday morning and when I woke up at 8 am they were sold out at Footlocker, Finishline, and everywhere I looked. I got lucky to find these. Most the times when I buy shoes it is a combination of all 3: style, comfort, and price; in that order. I also just bought the Air Max BBall 360's in orange and love them. Of course they cost me an arm and a leg too, but they are great. The one pair of shoes I would love to get would be the Air Jordan Vs in black, cause they were my first pair of Jordans.
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paul boucher
(143)
| 11:15:00 AM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Here's a good story of why I bought the Jordan IV's:
When I was 8 I begged my mom for a pair of Jordan's. I grew up in a rich neighborhood, and we were far from rich. All my friends had Nikes and Jordan's. So after enough begging my mom took me to the mall. We went to Pick and Pay shoes so she could get some dress shoes. I saw a pair of knock offs (even back then they were being knocked off) and they were exactly like the real Jordan's, I mean EXACTLY colors and all, minus the Nike and Jordan logo. Pick and Pay was having a sale, buy one pair and get the second for a penny. Of course back then I didn't know any better and was just excited to get them for a penny. I was so proud of my shoes and wore them that night to my basketball game. I had everybody check out my new shoes and told them how I got them for a penny. Well, that didn't turn out too well. I got picked on at every game. We won that season and had a pizza party for winning. Well, while I was in the bathroom, they decided to pull the cheese off my pizza dump the hot ground pepper on it and put the cheese back. I got back from the bathroom took a bite and almost threw up my mouth was burning so bad. I made it to the car before I started to cry. At least I didn't give them the satisfaction of letting them see me do that. My mom was so pissed, she called all of the kids parents and fussed them out. That Christmas, under the tree I had a brand new pair of REAL Air Jordan Vs. Since then, she said she would never buy me cheap shoes again. That was one of the best Christmases I ever had. I slept in my Jordan's that night. Anyway that is why I bought the Jordan IV's. I guess it was to make up for my childhood trauma and console some sort of deep psychological affliction I received from my pair of fake Jordan's. Hope you all liked it and maybe got a kick out of my story. |
johnny szabo
(889)
Artist Info
| 1:23:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
I had a pair of fake Nikes once, screwed my heel so bad, I couldn't walk for a week since then I've only bought legit shoes. Recent pic up was a pair of retro 14s and hopin to get a pair of 21 PE's for christmas. |
Ryan Holler
(1145)
Moderator
Artist Info
| 2:03:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Sarah, I really don't think it's supposed to make sense. I think that's the point. But the more I've thought about it the more it does make sense. Skateboarding started as a rebel sport where individualism is gold, as did Cash a rebel musician... too rock and roll for mainstream country, yet too country for mainstream rock and roll, but he didn't conform and made a career out of thumbing his nose at the establishment. Skateboarding has had a similar life. It's well accepted now, but it will always have it's roots in subborn nonconformity.
As for the process, I covered the board with masking tape first, then created the art on computer, printed it out and applied it to the board with adhesive spray. I used a utility knife with those sectioned snap-off blades. I used every section of a full blade cutting through the paper and tape on top of the sandpaper grip tape. That stuff's hell on a blade. Then I sprayed it with a 96 cent can of black spray paint.
I used a 1960s Johnny Cash photo and lettering from his Folsom Prison Album. I kind of regret not using this actual photo that went with it (below). But I wanted a picture with Cash looking right at you.
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Ryan Holler
(1145)
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| 2:28:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Paul -- That's a great story, man. Our ability to reflect back on experiences like that play a huge role in shaping who we are as adults. Particularly how we view and treat others. Thanks for sharing that.
My mom started buying me Nikes as soon as they became popular. Bruins and Blazers were my first pairs (can't remember which I got first). But I rarely got a pair without being reminded that she (my mom) had grown up at times so poor that she didn't even have any shoes during the summer months. I clearly remember her saying, "These don't make you better than anyone else. You may be wearing Nikes but you're still walking on the same old dirt."
Sarah -- If I'm playing sports, comfort and performance hold a higher priority than fashion. Fashion still matters though... for sure. I'd say about 60/40... maybe 70/30. |
Tony Hardman
(850)
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| 3:25:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Paul, that story ROCKS! I remember when I was a freshman in HS, we were poor too but I finally got a pair of name brand shoes for the school year- they were puma b-ball shoes I believe. With a puma logo jumping off of the heel onto the quarter. I thought they were cool compared to what I was used to. Anyway, this kid in one of my classes made fun of those shoes alllll year long. He always had Jordans. The next year I was working my own job and finally got my first pair of Jordans- the black V! (what a coincidence!) I have had the Air Jordan every year since. Except for the OG XI...I was poor that year so I had to wait and get the i.e. lows. LOL. But I think that experience definitely affected me and helped to launch me into my affinity for kicks. Thanks for sharing man! -TH |
Christoph Döttelmayer
(441)
Artist Info
| 3:29:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
hej Paul, those are my XXI. I got them in april or so, but they are like my holy grail now. My first Air Jordan was the XII, I got those when i started playing basketball when I was seven, so far except the XXI there are only MJ´s that I have. I had Kobe´s shoes, Iverson´s, Vince Shox´s i have so many, but as I got a bit older, just 19 now so not really old i thought i gotto go back to the Jordan´s and I love them, they just have such a passion and style to it, and I really got involved with the shoe, like i was never so interested in the designing, producing progress like in the XXI and I love them totaly!
I really like your IV, they rock. MJ and Spike Lee, those still are the best Jordan commercials ever.
Ryan, I had the same talk about my basketball sneakers with my mom some years ago too, but I think she realized now what Air Jordans really are and I think they make you a better player, it might not be your game, but your self confidence and passion grows when you wear MJ´s. That at least my thought about that.
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Christoph Döttelmayer
(441)
Artist Info
| 3:34:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
hej Ryan or Tony,i´m sorry to ask that again but there is no theme for november yet right?
thanks
cheers
MJ 4 LIFE !!! |
Ben Adams-Keane
(184)
Artist Info
| 4:50:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
I picked up the Pippen V's off Ebay for $17 in June because I liked the morph concept and the way they looked, but just started wearing them and I hate them. LOL. They're incredibly stiff and heavy and the morph shroud takes ages to take off and on. Oh well...
Good pickups everyone! I like the Mars, Paul.. |
Lei Wang
(267)
| 5:10:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Li-Ning DJ limited edition
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Ryan Holler
(1145)
Moderator
Artist Info
| 6:33:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
That Li-Ning shoe is cool. No incredibly original---looks like a Jordan/LeBron/Asian art fusion, but still cool.
Lei, we had a chat about Shaqs new deal a few weeks ago. Well, the Exeter reps were here at WM last week and I asked them for the skinny on Shaq's new L-Ning deal---how his shoes will be branded now that he's affiliated with two different companies: SHAQ/DUNKMAN in the U.S. and Li-Ning in Asia. They said that nothing will change in terms of what he wears in games. His shoes will still be SHAQ branded, but also co-branded with the Li-Ning logo on everything sold in Asia. As I figured. |
Ryan Holler
(1145)
Moderator
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| 6:35:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Christoph, I'm not sure about November, but I don't think there will be a comp. KG Admin are the only ones who can confirm or correct that for sure. |
Lei Wang
(267)
| 7:18:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Ryan, thanks for the info. I am assuming that the shoes he will be wearing in games are designed by Li-Ning. The shoes will have both Li-Ning and Dunkman logo. We will see in a few weeks when the new season starts. |
Lei Wang
(267)
| 7:27:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
This is a basic Li-Ning bb shoe but the price is quite appealing, less than USD30.
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Lei Wang
(267)
| 7:27:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
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Lei Wang
(267)
| 8:19:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Li-Ning's premium running shoe with its latest "BOW" cushion technology.
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Ryan Holler
(1145)
Moderator
Artist Info
| 10:38:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Lei, that's not the impression I got from the Exeter guy. Yes, there will be Li-Ning shoes with the Dunkman logo sold in China, but they will not be models that Shaq himself will play in. He seemed to indicate that Shaq's Game Shoes will be designed by Exeter as always. We (Wal-Mart) have a similar deal. We sell Shaq brand in about 6 different styles, kids sizes only, but none are his game shoe. The only place that sells the Game Shoe is Payless Shoe Source.
We'll see though. It seems that he usually wears 3 or 4 different styles throughout the season. I would not be surprised if a Li-Ning orignal design finds its way into the rotation. This preseason he has been wearing the same ones he wore in the playoffs last year.
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Lei Wang
(267)
| 10:44:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Ryan,that really doesn't make sense to me. Why Li-Ning pays Shaq big bucks if he's not wearing Li-Ning shoes in games? |
Ryan Holler
(1145)
Moderator
Artist Info
| 7:16:00 AM Wednesday, October 25, 2006
I'm thinking that you'll see the Li-Ning logo on Shaqs game shoes at some point. But we won't have a way of really knowing who designed the shoe---Exeter's designers or Li-Ning's designers---unless he starts wearing the same model that Damon Jones does. |
johnny szabo
(889)
Artist Info
| 9:45:00 AM Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Those are pretty nice bball shoes and for 30 bucks, much better than the starburys on my opinion. But how do these work, know anything about the midsole? Are they comfy, do they have enough support? Anyone know? |
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