RDQLUS x NIKEiD Jordan 2012 "Classy Concrete" Pack

This has been an exciting week in the RDQLUS CREATIVE camp. Two of my passions collided head-on when I was approached to design a shoe using the platform of the NIKEiD experience. What resulted was unfathomable just a week earlier. Firstly, I took this opportunity with the utmost of seriousness and produced what I think is a great pack of sneakers that have both an established court pedigree and a unique style & fashion perspective. Secondly, the awareness and participation of the "RDQLites"; all of the clients, fans and supporters of what I do was amazing. Thank you.

So with that, I give you the one-of-a-kind RDQLUS x NIKEiD Air Jordan 2012 "Classy Concrete" pack. The "Jewelry Box" & "BLAQ Tie" Jordan 2012s. Names such for the story behind the colorways; the "Jewelry Box" pays homage to a brand that became more significant than the very jewels they carried because of the perceived level of superior quality and service. The "BLAQ Tie" sets out to prove that street fashion—when in the hands of someone who ares to pay attention to details—can achieve higher plane of fashion along side the brands we've come to revere. These designs will now go off to be produced by the "iD" program and in a few weeks, I'll follow up and show you the actual finished product on-foot.

Many thanks to NIKEiD for tapping RDQLUS CREATIVE to run with such a project. I can only hope that there are many more official collaborations in our future paths.

NIKEiD x RDQLUS?

Updated on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 9:42AM by Stevie G

Oh, this should be good!

RDQLUS x NIKEiD - a Special-Edition from Stevie G / RDQLUS on Vimeo.

I've never hidden the fact the design, life & style are very important fuel for each other in the RDQLUS camp. Apparently, a few people are paying attention when I say stuff like that? Oops. I gotta watch what I say.

Representatives of Nike's "NIKEiD" program contacted me to try my hand at an iD shoe of my choosing. Did someone say sneakers?! You don't have to ask me twice. But true to form for RDQLUS CREATIVE, I want to have a little bit of story and pedigree instilled into the sneaker I ultimately do the color design for. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have anything prepared. You kidding me? I've waited for something like this since drawing pictured of Air Max running shoes in the 80s. (Hey, Mama… do you still have those?)

I just found out the news over the weekend and had to sit on it for a bit, but I'll be posting pics and a vid explaining what's going down. Many thanks to the good people rep'ing the NIKEiD camp for this opportunity.

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Observatorial; 120217

Loving these LASCO steppers.

In a sub-culture of many smaller subs & genres, and part of a larger sub-culture itself, sneakers can no longer face simplistic classifications. As a designer/creative director who aspires to someday get my grubby artistic paws on a project or two for Nike or adidas, in my ritual run to the bookstore to grab periodicals there's always a couple of sneaker mags in the bunch. The typical, expected footwear is always represented, but every so often there are a few pair that stand out and challenge the admirer to make an admission that these are not your 10 year-old's gym shoes.

Take this stunning sneaker from indie upstart LASCO (Los Angeles Shoe Co). Dress-shoe leather in fine finishes and buttery tones, a silhouette not unlike popular, time-tested boot styles, and the comfort pedigree of a sneaker are all qualities of a "kick" made in short very runs; I challenge anyone to say their wingtips or Jimmy Choo(s) are any more well-constructed. And as I've always said, if the spot got hot and moves needed to be made quickly, I'm betting my get-up-and-go is going to be far more effective than your loafer-laden steps. Just saying.