Nike SB Is Releasing One of the Year’s Wildest Sneaker Collaborations and It’s Inspired by Plush Toys
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Nike SB, the brand’s skateboarding-focused subline, is known for its quirky and at times whimsical approach to sneaker design. An upcoming project with Japanese graphic designer Verdy checks both of those boxes with one of the brand’s most eye-catching collaborations of recent memory.
The Verdy x Nike SB Dunk Low “Visty” takes direct inspiration from a colorful plush toy created by the artist. Adorned in washed pastel shades, the furry creature was conceptualized by Verdy during the pandemic, and the artist says it was intended to bring happiness to people during tough times. For his next project with Nike SB, Verdy has converted the Dunk Low into what is essentially a wearable version of the Visty doll.
Verdy’s Nike SB Dunk Low “Visty” covers the shoe in a “Blue Gaze/Bicycle Yellow/Arctic Pink” palette, combining a wide range of materials and colors to mimic the plush toy. Teal and pink faux furs protrude from various panels of the shoe, while a blue corduroy adds texture. The sneakers come with three pastel shoelace options in yellow, green and blue and also come packaged with a keychain depicting the furry character.
Previously, Verdy has collaborated with Nike SB in 2019 on a “Girls Don’t Cry” Dunk Low named after one of his brands. The all-red sneaker was highly limited and resells for an average of around $1,800 on platforms like StockX. Another one of Verdy’s labels, Wasted Youth, released a Nike SB Dunk Low collaboration in 2021, although that pair isn’t as coveted as the Girls Don’t Cry iteration.
The Nike SB Dunk Low is a celebrity favorite. Last month, Ben Affleck was spotted wearing one of the rarest versions of the sneaker, the “What the Dunk,” which resells for $24,000. The Nike SB model has also seen collaborations with artists such as Travis Scott.
It remains to be seen how the market will respond to the Verdy x Nike SB Dunk Low “Visty,” which has received a mixed response from sneaker fans following early leaks. The collaboration is expected to officially launch soon from Nike’s SNKRS app and other channels, although Verdy nor Nike SB have confirmed a release date. The artist did, however, recently tease the pair on Instagram alongside another previously unseen SB Dunk Low which uses the colors of his black-and-white Vick character.
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