Spencer Badu’s Inaugural Sneaker Colab with HOKA Is a Spiritual Step Forward
, the Toronto creative with Ghanaian roots, has built a name through refined, boundary-pushing menswear rooted in utilitarian style – earning fans like Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky along the way. Now, the designer is stepping into the footwear scene for the first time, linking up with HOKA to put his spin on the Elevon X.
First and foremost a performance runner, this project sees the rising star weave a personal story into every detail. Bold in look and meaning, the design features a vivid yellow base with dark overlays and outsole, while red and green hits on the insole complete a palette drawn from the Ghanaian flag. A cowrie shell charm – once a form of trade along Ghana’s coast – adds cultural depth. Alongside Badu’s own mark, the shoe features two symbolic emblems: 'Fawohodie', speaking to emancipation, and 'Nyame Dua', offering a sense of spiritual grounding and growth.
'This partnership captures the pure spirit of a successful collaborative engagement: authenticity, motion, and meaning,' says Thomas Cykana, HOKA's Senior Director of Global Collaborations and Partnerships. 'Spencer brought a vision to the table that aligns deeply with our values, and together we’ve created a moment that tells a powerful story through his eyes.'
Dropping alongside the colab is a short film called The Journey, directed and produced by Badu himself. Shot between Ghana and Toronto, it blends motion with reflection and jumps from the energy of Accra’s Makola Market to slower, more intimate scenes inside his studio.
The Spencer Badu x HOKA Elevon X is available now from HOKA and select retailers. Click to peep the short film.
