Released earlier this summer, the limited edition Nike Claw Blazer was the first of a two-part collaboration between Nike and graffiti legend Claw Money. The highly anticipated follow-up to the Blazer, the Nike Claw Vandal Hi will hit streets October 27th. Claw, who in addition to being a magazine fashion editor, graffiti artist and author has recently added to the list fashion designer. She has a special connection with this sneaker: “I wanted to do the Vandal because it’s my favorite hi-top. And after all — I’m a vandal, too.”
According to Claw, she bought her first beat-up vintage Vandals over ten years ago. She’s been collecting them ever since. “I was instantly mesmerized,” she says. “In my opinion, the Vandal is the Holy Grail of hi-tops.” Being able to put her touch on her favorite sneaker was, in her words, “like writing on the best real estate in town.”
The Nike Claw Vandal Hi retains the shine of the first nylon Vandals, but the Nike design team deconstructed the shoe by removing foam from the upper, allowing it to slouch and crinkle. Claw added peacock feathers to the body in reflective ink to achieve a more “couture” look — meant to draw attention in the same way the colorful birds do. Old school fat laces keep things from getting too chi-chi.
Bigger images after the jump…
*FYI: There’s also a black pair which has surfaced the web in a number of blogs, I didn’t post it up as it may be discontinued.
