Following on from their Sole Fury collaboration, Helen Kirkum and Reebok have come together again to reimagine the Zig sneaker featuring 20 unique pairs. Each one has been handmade from repurposed Reebok sneakers by Kirkum in her East London studio.

The exclusive collaboration will be launching this Thursday, February 25^th at 15:00 p.m. (GMT) exclusively on helenkirkumzig.com.

Helen Kirkum and Reebok first collaborated in 2019 as part of Reebok’s Advanced Concepts program, where Kirkum applied her signature re-constructed aesthetic to the Sole Fury, recrafting 25 pairs from disused samples of the Pump Fury, Runner 96, Opus 3D, and Ventilator.

The Helen Kirkum x Reebok Advanced Concepts Zig is a continuation of this project in both concept and creation, as Kirkum has crafted all 20 pairs with leftover material from the initial Sole Fury collaboration. This creates a cohesive story between the two collaborations while staying true to Kirkum’s practice of imbuing sneakers with stories of their origins and, in doing so, breathing new life into the discarded.

“The sneakers are a story not only through Reebok silhouettes but also of our journey so far with Reebok, and a history of our collaboration,” shares Kirkum. “They carry memories of the previous collaboration whilst inviting you in to be a part of the next one, celebrating wearing and making in a playful way.”

Inspired by the Zig’s skeletal-like sole, Kirkum reimagined the Zig’s upper as if a cage, overlaying and overlapping materials so that the lining was left exposed in parts. Each pair is unique, handcrafted by Kirkum in London with the pieces available, and mounted on the sole at Reebok’s headquarters in Boston. In some instances, there may be slight differences between the right and left sneaker, and in the case of pair 18, a variation in the pattern as the medial eyestay component had to be replaced for a completely different piece.

Kirkum’s work is as much about the product as it is the stories it tells, and accompanying each pair is a limited-edition catalogue created with London agency The Midnight Club, as well as a hand-written note from Kirkum sharing a personal insight into the making of that particular pair.

The Helen Kirkum x Reebok Advanced Concepts Zig will be available in US 9/UK 8/EU 42 for £350 exclusively on helenkirkumzig.com on Thursday, February 25^th at 15:00 p.m. (GMT).

Photos by Gary Didsbury/The Midnight Club

In partnership with Zellerfeld, the Danish fashion house RAINS launched its first 3D-printed sneaker on the Paris Fashion Week runway.

The silhouette, known as the “Puffer Boot,” like a remnant from the distant past. Its conceptual-yet-functional design features an organic shape with an intentional, sculptural appearance that resembles a stone sculpture. A provider of innovation, RAINS positioned a freshly created, 90% air-filled printed puffer element on the instep.

Notably, the puffer component represents a significant advancement for Zellerfeld. In the past, sewing foam components into 3D-printed fabrics would be an extremely laborious procedure. The leading 3D printing company has now altered the rules by demonstrating that the comfort-first feature can be created without the use of any physical work. Even better, the model still benefits from mono-material 3D printing and eco-friendly features.

Although Zellerfeld says that the silhouette will “inspire other printed shoe designs to follow the bigger route in the future,” RAINS has not yet announced a release date or other launch details for the Puffer Boot. Check out the creative layout in the gallery above.

As the FIFA World Cup nears, Louis Vuitton has launched a special capsule created specifically for the much awaited football tournament. LV have been designing the trophy’s travel trunk since 2010 but this year, they have crafted not just one, but five collectible pieces in black Taurillon leather.

Similarly to 2018, LV created a specific leather goods line for that year’s tournament. Besides the FIFA World Cup, we see that the biggest sporting events in the world, including Formula 1, the NBA have partnered with Louis Vuitton over the years.

The distinctive Damier motif of the Maison is waved across the outside surfaces of the bags, evoking the movement of the net during a goal – a very creative touch. Icons like the Keepall 50, City Keepall, and Discovery Backpack are part of the collection and make a comeback as useful travel companions with roomy main compartments, interior pockets for necessities, and adjustable straps decorated with black metallic hardware.

In addition to the collection, Keepall 50 bags have “Louis Vuitton” embossed leather tags that resemble soccer league badges and five bottom studs shaped like football cleats. Small leather products, such as a Dopp kit with contrasting piping and an adjustable leather handle, round off the line.

There are already a few Louis Vuitton stores that carry the Fifa World Cup 2022 collection, as well as online.