IS 3M THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO SNEAKERS?

IS 3M THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO SNEAKERS?

Air Jordan XIII, reflective side panel, you know the vibes, real 98’ energy

Air Jordan V’s with the 3M reflective tongue

Probably Not, but they are a super cool material, but I never knew why? All I can recall is people making a big fuss over any sneaker that had 3M on it. For those who don’t know, 3M is reflective fabric, that is typically used at night for safety workers. However, the sneaker world has made 3M be featured on some of the most classic sneakers ever.

If I can recall my first 3M encounter was with the Air Jordan XIII. Seeing that was probably way cooler to me because I was younger and then I saw it on the Air Jordan V I had in high school and it had me an awe. Again I do not know why its just literally cool.

I’m not the only one who shares this love for 3M, even Action Bronson talked about the importance of 3M in one of the latest episodes of COMPLEX’s SNEAKER SHOPPING. He talked about the reflective ‘N” on a New Balance sneaker. He specifically said, “When you taking pictures and you with a bunch of people and they don’t have the “N” thats reflective, you’re gonna stand out aka you’re beamin’ or you shinin’”. “If you’re running of course they’ll see you but if you’re taking pictures…wooooo.”

And with that said I think I finally found out why I love 3M on sneakers so much. It helps you stand out, plain and simple. Like Action Bronson said, “you’re beamin or shinin’”. Its nothing like “beamin’ or shinin”, that’s why we getting car washes, or buy jewelry, you get an extra glow when you’re shining and that’s exactly what 3M helps you do.

Visit gettothecorner.com

follow me on twitter @onlyonejaevonn

TIME HONORS THE DUPLICATE

TIME HONORS THE DUPLICATE

JORDAN 1s and a host of counterfeits.

I was on instagram the other day and Grailed was doing a feature on Air Jordan I counterfeits. Jordan I counterfeits have become a collector’s item because of its limited supply. 

“In September 1985 the original Nike Air Jordan 1 released and with it came some notable counterfeit versions by brands such as Sang, Pro-Joggs and Honors Sports. Over time these fakes have become just as, if not more, valuable than the originals themselves.”

It made me think how over time the duplicate gets honored by consumers. Duplicate may not be the exact word to use but it will be used today to sort of exaggerate the eerie similarities in the products discussed today.

First, I remember when the BAPESTA sneaker by A Bathing Ape came out. The sneaker modeled itself after the Air Force 1. When that shoe first debuted people scoffed and mocked it like they were getting paid for it.

Actually people couldn’t even acknowledge the BAPESTA has its own sneakers. People thought it was a fake Air Force 1. The only noticeable difference a star is on the side of the shoe instead of the swoosh. And the word “ape” is on the midsole instead of the word “air”.

AIR FORCE 1

KANYE WEST X BAPE

KAWS X BAPE

Despite these extreme similarities and mockeries, BAPESTAs went on to become streetwear classics. This is due to collaborations w/ visual artist, KAWS, and Kanye West. And being propelled by the Hip Hop community, BAPESTAs was something you could no longer mock.

More recently one could look at REVENGEXSTORM, a streetwear brand founded by Ian Connor known for its shoes. The shoes are almost an exact replica of the classics VANS shoe.  Once again the only difference is with the logo , which sports a Lightning Bolt instead of Vans’ classic logo.

REVENGEXSTORM

VANS OLD SKOOL

Like BAPE, RevengexStorm  faced much criticism. Even articles was created informing readers NOT to buy a single pair. When faced with the burning questions regarding originality he simply refuted that NIGO® did the same thing with BAPESTA.

Because I like shoes and shoes are the hardest part to do. I like the Vans silhouette, so I wanted to do what Nigo did with BAPE, basically, as far as footwear.

After withstanding the criticism, the RevengexStorm sneakers are unmarked much higher than the VANS olds kool sneaker and are being regarded as grails.

Much like anything that get cool, RevengexStorm also got it hip hop stamp.

“Lightning Bolt Diamonds cuz I want Revenge” - Gunna

As time progress people seem to overlook the lack of “originality” because the factors of status, validation, scarcity, and simplicity make the product worth acquiring and at times could be worth more than the original.

Visit gettothecorner.com

THE FOOT LOCKER RE-BRAND THAT YOU NEED TO TAKE NOTICE TO

THE FOOT LOCKER RE-BRAND THAT YOU NEED TO TAKE NOTICE TO

Foot Locker has always been a staple in the community. Whether it was the quick pull up for the white forces in the summer or being the place you got your first pair of retros, Foot Locker always stood the test of time. With the sneaker culture getting deeply immersive and more prevalent, niche boutiques has been killing it lately because of its exclusivity of sneakers and connection to the sneaker culture on a ground level.

If your suburban sneaker culture is mixtape underground then Foot Locker is as mainstream as it gets. However, Foot Locker is making sure it isn’t overlooked in the sneaker world. The first step was House of Hoops but lately its been more extreme than a simple store expansion. 

The “Because Sneakers” commercial, the new Detroit store, and it involvement in NBA2K establishes that Foot Locker plans to be the big behemoth as the face of Sneakers.

Just Don Portrait by Me | More Art On instagram.com/the__corne

The Because Sneakers commercials gather forces in the culture (i.e. Don C, owner of JUST DON & known affiliate of Kanye West) to display just why the sneaker craze is so deeply engrained and important. 

8 Mile Road in Eastpointe. (Metro-Detroit Area)

Motor City colorway for Foot Locker

The new Detroit store took ample steps in honoring and propelling the image/heritage of Detroit. Using contemporary local heroes who have shown their dedication to the culture, connecting a giant brand to the gritty city that’s been overlooked far too long.

Jerry Lorenzo, round of FEAR OF GOD, in AIR FEAR OF GOD 1 in NBA2K

NBA2K, the crowned basketball simulation of this generation, is in the homes of many and with the ever so popular MYPLAYER mode, players are taking customization to the next level. And what’s a good player without a good sneakers these days? With exclusives like the Air Fear of God and the Yeezys digitized, Foot Locker wins by associating its brand with crowned jewels, allowing players to make subconscious connection between foot locker and sneaker heat.

The Foot Locker re-brand should never be overlooked and should be embraced because the battle for sneaker supremacy is still ongoing and Foot Locker is making sure they aren’t forgotten.

Visit gettothecorner.com