Frankfurt's Azita store has produced this rather striking X-Caliber model for Onitsuka Tiger. Flashy, yet restrained, the retro X-Calibers are made using premium lightweight materials usually found on ASICS runners and also come with knee-high performance running socks that blend in with the colourfading of the shoes. With Azita branding kept to a minimum, you'll need to check the insole to catch a glimpse of their logo. www.azitastore.com. As seen in Issue 17.
AZITA X ONITSUKA-TIGER X-CALIBER PRESS RELEASE
For Autumn Winter 2009 Leonard Kahlcke created a design on the Onitsuka Tiger - X CALIBER profile for Azita, which only the eye of an expert will recognize as a collaboration shoe. Additional are a pair of performance running socks that blend in with the colorfading of the shoes. The knee high socks together with the shoes create a totally unique fashion statement.
Fading
The concept of the shoe is ‘colour fading'. The shoes run from grey to black, while the socks seem to have absorbed the colour of the shoes and slowly fades from black to grey. This concept of fading colour will stand out distinctively in the range of colourful, flashy shoes currently seen in shops. Moreover the combination between the shoes and knee-high socks will make a most desirable fashion statement.
Performance versus Vintage
The fading concept can also be seen as a transition of the classic model into a new version. Contrarily to other collaboration shoes, where the design is usually based on an old model being re-launched in a vintage manner, compromising quality, Azita chose a fresh approach. To give the shoe a new, distinguished qualification in the market, state of the art performance footwear materials were selected. Focusing on the quality of the original, which was once top of the line, they chose light materials from current performance shoes. With this Onitsuka Tiger and Azita take a step ahead into the retro design era.
Experts eye
With respect to the authenticity of the model, it was decided to keep away from obvious branding on the shoes, indicating the collaboration. Only the insole holds the Azita logo, together with a tiger pattern, honouring the icon of the brand. Azita is convinced that only an expert should see that the shoe is a collaboration piece.
Azita
Teimaz Shahverdi started Azita shop in Frankfurt a few years ago. This was one of the first shops in Europe to mix strong skate and street background with modern classics and edgy fashion. With blog pages on Highsnobiety and Artschoolvets, as well as their leading online shop www.azitastore.com, they have set their marks on the internet.
Back to results
