A few months ago I wrote that Sneaker Retail Managers are the real MVPs of the sneaker industry. This post is going to ramble a bit because I’m frustrated, nervous and angry about the things happening in the sneaker industry right now. Here is the post on Retail Managers: Sneaker Retail Managers are the Real…
Source: NEW BALANCE AND JADEN SMITH LAUNCH NEW FOOTWEAR COLLABORATION Willow just dropped details on her collab with Onitsuka Tiger; and not to be outdone Jaden and New Balance collide to create a vegan friendly sneaker for the Icon emcee and actor. OnitsukaTiger × Willow Smith But… This wouldn’t be an arch-usa.com post if I…
The LeBron 17 Low rollout was disrupted by COIVD-19. The Easter version of the shoe was pushed back. This colorway is one of the prettiest sneakers Nike has released. I used an old camera because I was busy and I cheated this sneaker. This shoe deserves a close up. It features a smooth, soft nubuck…
The LeBron 17 Low in my opinion is the best looking LeBron to release in the last 8 years. Nike kept it simple with a woven mesh upper with perforated nubuck and leather mudguards. A silicone Swoosh has a metallic quality that stands out as a silhouette while the cushioning features both React and Max…
Source: Men’s Traction LE – Golf I’ve been trying to stress the importance for brands to utilize a strategy I developed named Niche-Out. The concept is simple and while I developed this term, it’s understood by anyone who has worked in any industry, in order to grab marketshare, do one thing very well and…
CLAE Footwear. Shop modern silhouettes that emphasize uncommon comfort and versatility for today’s active lifestyle. Source: CLAE I’ve owned two different sneaker companies. While operating those brands, I had to navigate the deep waters where marketshare was almost impossible to attain. I’ve written reports on Facebook ads, Amazon ads and various strategies utilized to get…
Penny Hardaway may have retired, but even this generation is a fan of the point guard that laid the groundwork for LeBron’s style of play. The Memphian currently leads his alma mater as head coach and this model, released after his retirement celebrates his city with nods in several places on the upper and insole….
The Denim Uptempo didn’t fly off of shelves. Nike has a tendency to overproduce certain models and the Uptempo has been dropped in far too many colorways. This Denim version is a tough sale as the model arrives in three different washes on the denim used on the upper. Pairing up the kicks becomes a…
The Air Jordan 3 remains the most classic of all of the models. The 11 may be the most coveted, but the 3 represents a variety of the iconic moments we associate with the brand. This version was made for the NBA All Star Weekend in Chicago. The 2020 event featured two versions of this…
Source: A design program in partnership with Pensole at the Brooklyn Creator Farm supported by Pharrell Williams. Less than a month ago I wrote a post scratching the surface of the problem of creating diversity in the sneaker industry: adidas’ Dilemma, Nike’s Reality and All Industries’ ‘Truths’: a Paradox On the Difficult Path to Equality…
Onitsuka Tiger Brand Ambassador Willow Smith Source: OnitsukaTiger × Willow Smith | Onitsuka Tiger United States The Fresh Prince has an Air Jordan Sneaker, the Retro 5. The Fresh Prince is not Will Smith. Will Smith is a business person and an entertainer. Last year a strange collaboration took place and I questioned why Will…
The first Nike Rise door opens in Guangzhou July 9, with additional doors in Nike’s global store fleet opening in 2021. Source: Nike Rise Retail Concept I wanted to lead with a picture of Nike Fit inside of Nike’s new Rise Concept in China to stress the touch free process of size and fit in…
The Air Max 97 arrives just in time for the Olympics… but COVID-19 erased the Olympics so the Medal Pack colorway is just a regular drop. Actually it’s a Quickstrike so it’s been bumped up to 180. In this video, my light is hitting the 3M so the shoe looks white. It’s actually all gold.
7-24-2020 Update: I decided to dig deeper into Timberland and discovered that the company has been doing a lot of work. My post below created a dialogue with the team at Timberland and I’ve adjusted my position on this matter. This is an instance of “Good Trouble” with the potential for a better story. Read…
The Air Jordan 5 Retro gets the “What the?” treatment in the Top 3 from Jordan Brand. The shoe features elements from The Fire Red, Black Metallic and Grape.
The Air Jordan 1 Low is arriving in more colors that pay homage to OG versions of the Air Jordan 1 High and Low OG. This color is almost a Shadow colorway differing only in the white lateral and medial side panel and the heel being black vs grey. The leather is softer on the…
The Galaxy theme was launched in 2012. It returns in a series of Air Max drops in 2020. This shoe features a ripstop, Safari print leather, 3M, and suede with a reflective Swoosh and Galaxy details throughout the upper.
The suede Air Max 90 is a subtle, but bold colorway featuring the classic retro design.
The Air Max 95 is a timeless pair. This colorway features soft subtle suedes with a pop of pink. The Max Air bubble is filled with pink foam cushioning and the 3M up the tongue and at the heel sets this pair off.
Brandblack works to find a natural harmony between technology and humanity through our products. Source: MEN I’m not an Instagram person. I do understand that discovery takes place on the platform, but I’m also a realist on how people shop and buy. While IG is great for branding, without a sales funnel it’s basically a…
Source: NEW BALANCE OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART CONECPT SHOP IN TOKYO, JAPAN COVID-19 continues to disrupt business practices around the world. In Asia they have begun to adjust to life post COVID and companies are beginning to implement strategies and plans that will enhance their connections with the consumer. New Balance has been delivering a steady stream…
GREATS designs classically inspired sneakers for men and women using luxury high quality materials and construction. Free exchanges and returns. Source: The Playbook As major brands exodus Facebook, social media again becomes a place where everyone is, but also a place where the countless point of views can be problematic for smaller companies. While sites…
