Heat Check Alert: Nike X Parra Collection 2018

It couldn't come at a better time, but Nike has done it once again.

In the midst of speculation that Yeezy resale is on the decline, Nike drops this hot new collaboration with Dutch artist Parra. 

The collaboration will be released in two different silhouettes -- the Nike Air Zoom Spiridon and the Nike Air Max 1. 

Unlike the previous “Cherrywood” and “Amsterdam” colour schemes, the two new silhouettes features a very colourful and pattern-heavy style. 

Consisting of striped details and cloud graphics, the Dutch artist attempts to interpret abstract portrayals of cityscape and landscape imagery. 

A Bit About The Man Himself 

Dutch artist Parra (real name Pieter Janssen) is best known for his curved post-Pop imagery, highly saturated colours, vibrant hand-drawn letters and worlds inhabited by hybrid, surreal characters.

Having shifted from the typographical humour he was once known for towards abstract compositions, Parra draws inspiration from visual pop culture as he moved to Amsterdam from the colourful Dutch countryside. 

Thanks to multiple footwear collaborations with Nike, Vans, Converse, Alife, and etnies+, Parra has become a well known name in the sneaker community.

His most important shoe is the Air Max 1 Amsterdam. The shoe was part of a 2005 European city series from Nike that included shoes for Berlin, Paris, and London.

Originally the shoe had a completely different color scheme, based on the plastic bags of Dutch supermarket Albert Heijn. However, right before the release of the shoe, Albert Heijn changed the design of their bags. In response, Parra changed the colourway and insole around to a Red Light District-based design.

Although no one camped out overnight for the release, it was the first shoe ever that had people lining up outside of a store in The Netherlands. And today, it has a resell price tag of up to $20,000...

Source: Sneakernews 

Don't Mix The Two Up... 

Parra and Patta have been commonly mixed up. Parra is the Dutch artist, while Patta is a Dutch streetwear and sneaker boutique based in Amsterdam. Patta started out as a platform, which sold exclusive items that was collected. After increasing their online presence, Patta began to collaborate with the likes of ASICS, adidas, Converse, Nike and Reebok.

Fun fact: Patta founder Gee gave Parra his nickname after Parra would call him multiple times a day to make sure Gee put him on the guest list for parties, given how Gee worked for Sony and Fat Beats.

What We Think Of The Shoe 

Whilst the patterns are what attract the eye, the new aesthetic continues some of the vibes elicited by Sean Wotherspoon's Air Max 1/97. Similar to the Wotherspoon's bright multicoloured Corduroy upper, the aqua blue and pastel pink are an indicator for the near future of sneaker colourways. 

Contrary to the monochromatic tones we've seen recently on the OFF-WHITE x Nike joints as well as the Yeezy 500's, these shoes along with the Sean Wotherspoon's Air Max 1/97 are the beginning of pastel colours. We can expect many to soon follow this wave. Whether it be donning white tees or copping vintage/retro items to match the vibe of these pastel colours, we believe this is the next thing for sneaker culture. 

And to be quite fair, this trend is already on its way. And not by Nike... If we look back a few months ago, there were many images surfacing the net revealing what seems to be a rainbow collection of the Yeezy 350 V2s. 

In fact, this will be impacted by LeBron's move to LA which we discussed last week to have a significant influence on the sneaker culture. 

To read more about this, feel free to check it out here! 

Final Word 

These shoes are nothing but heat. 

The year of 2018 has been prosperous for Nike thus far. However, with such a statement sneaker, there seems to be no signs of stopping. 

Despite early worries about Nike losing ground to their German rival, the shoes on the back of releases such as the Sean Wotherspoon's and the React Element 87; has cemented Nike as being the "Goddess of Victory". 

Let us know in the comments below which of the two silhouettes you would cop. Are you a fan of these designs? Or are you still riding with the Yeezy Season? 

By Daniel PUSHAS