We've been missing out on a ton of sneaker coverage this past couple of months (blame it on the upcoming September issue and just, life). But we're back at the perfect time where we're seeing the week packed with a host of stunning and hot collaborations.
On Cop the Drop this week, we take a look at the three top collaborations that we'd personally cop. First up, is the phenomenal pairing of Nike and sacai with the addition of another collaborator in the mix, followed by a new sneaker outing by New Balance and Casablanca. And finally, the debut of John Elliott's remix for Converse.
As always, we'll be breaking down our recommendations of whether each sneaker is a worthy investment (or not). It's not all fun and games, after all.
Ready? Let's get into it then.
Commodity: Nike x sacai x Fragment LDWaffle 'Light Smoke Grey'
The incredibly successful and highly coveted collaboration between Nike and sacai is back. And this time, amped up with the assist of Hiroshi Fujiwara of Fragment. This drop is the first of three Nike x sacai LDWaffle collaborations with three different partners. The LDWaffle in itself is already a combination of two iconic Nike styles—the LDV and the Waffle Daybreak—and this particular iteration adds a sensory combination of suede and mesh, with the addition of Fujiwara's latest recognisable signature along the extended midsole unit.
Where: Nike
When: 24 August 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD249
Data on the Nike x sacai x Fragment LDWaffle 'Light Smoke Grey'. on the resale market to date: 2347 pairs sold on StockX with an average sale price of SGD608.
Recommendation: Flip immediately.
There's no denying that anything Nike x sacai is instant resale gold. Add to the fact that the godfather of streetwear has added his own touch to the sneaker, it's a definite no-brainer that it'll do incredibly well on the resale market.
Commodity: New Balance x Casablanca XC-72 'Red Yellow'
Casablanca's collaboration with New Balance, despite it being only over a year old, has seen gained such tremendous hype. The latest partnership sees a design—created by New Balance designer Charlotte Lee—inspired by a luxury car. Or at least the feeling of a luxury car. This particular colourway is the most vibrant outing in the line-up by the two brands thus far, and is contrasted with the all-black tread sole that's seemingly disappears from the side midway through the sneaker.
Where: New Balance and Dover Street Market Singapore
When: 28 August 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD219
Data on the New Balance x Casablanca XC-72 'Red Yellow' on the resale market to date: Only one pair has been sold on StockX at the time of publication, at the price of SGD508.
Recommendation: Short it.
It's safe to say by now that New Balance has found a contemporary brand that's creating a lot of hype for its collaborative sneakers. If previous designs by the two are any indication of the potential success of the XC-72, we're guessing that it'll be sold out within hours and up on the resale market shortly after. No time to waste with this one, but exercise some form of caution.
Commodity: Converse x John Elliott Skidgrip 'Brown Rust'
John Elliott moves on from collaborating with Nike to one with Converse. For his debut effort, the designer reimagines Converse's Skidgrip sneaker by adding tactility on its upper. The sneaker is almost entirely done in a flocked canvas as a way of replicating the effect of a patina on leather. The result is a truly beautiful piece that's a testament to Elliott's aesthetic as a contemporary fashion designer.
Where: Limited Edt
When: 26 August 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD179.90
Data on the Converse x John Elliott Skidgrip 'Brown Rust' on the resale market to date: At the time of publication, there have been no sales on StockX. Asking prices are starting at SGD263 to SGD339.
Recommendation: Not for resale.
While it is indeed a beautiful creation, the sneaker is still relatively easy to purchase directly from stockists. That being said, this is Elliott's first collaboration with Converse, and he has done some amazing pieces with Nike. So perhaps, with time, this could be something of a collector's item down the line.
Previous drops…
With Milan and Paris Fashion Week Men's finally concluding for the spring/summer 2022 season, we're inspired by the constant onslaught of monochromatic pairings and sportier tailoring options. Thankfully, this week's sneaker drops are quite in line with what we're feeling at the moment. Coincidence? Perhaps not.
On Cop the Drop this week, we take a look at three versatile pairs of sneakers. First up is a low-cut version of the Air Jordan 1 done in a grey-and-white combination, and a new colourway for Nike's latest 2021 silhouette. Lastly, we take a look at a sneaker-dress shoe hybrid courtesy of TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance.
As always, we'll be breaking down our recommendations of whether each sneaker is a worthy investment (or not). It's not all fun and games, after all.
Ready? Let's get into it then.
Commodity: Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Neutral Grey'
This particular iteration of the Air Jordan 1 Low OGs is peppered with some old-school nods. First off, the tongue is emblazoned with 'Nike Air' instead of the Jumpman logo of the newer versions. Then there's the Air Jordan insignia that sits right at the heel tab surrounded by the suede material. Overall, it's quite a handsome pair that'd make for a versatile white pair of sneakers, one that any sneaker lover would appreciate.
Where: Nike
When: 2 July 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD209
Price of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Neutral Grey' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD271 with a low of SGD182. The average sale price is SGD223.
Recommendation: Not for resale.
It may be completely sold out at Nike, but on the resale front, it's not doing so hot. There's no doubt that it's a streamlined and rather versatile pair of AJ1s but perhaps one that has little to offer in terms of hype. Don't bother putting this up for resale—at least that's what we'd recommend.
Commodity: Nike Air Max Pre-Day 'Light Bone'
One of Nike's newest kid on the block, the '70s-inspired Air Max Pre-Day comes in a new colourway consisting of a washed-out base and highlighted with infusions of black. What defines this new silhouette is in the way that the Air unit is displayed—right at the heel and somewhat suspended right in the midsole. It's supposed to make for greater bounce but also lends a futuristic look to the design. And as with the first-ever pair that debuted this March, this pair of Air Max Pre-Day is also composed of 20 percent recycled materials.
Where: Nike
When: 1 July 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD219
Price of the Nike Air Max Pre-Day 'Light Bone' on the resale market in the last 7 days: At the time of publication, there's no sign of this particular colourway on the resale market. Other colourways however, are averaging about SGD230.
Recommendation: Not for resale.
Get this only if you intend on actually wearing them. At the time of publication, the sneaker is readily available and that points to this not being great for the resale market. It's fairly consistent with the rest of the colourways that are up on StockX too—you won't be getting much in terms of profits unfortunately. The Air Max Pre-Day is still a very new silhouette and may take some time before it reaches any sort of cult status.
Commodity: TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance 574 'White'
We're not entirely sure if we'd consider the TDS New Balance 574 a sneaker in its traditional sense, only because of that characteristically formal shoe sole construction. The great minds behind New Balance's TOKTO DESIGN STUDIO division has reinterpreted the 574 model by removing the iconic N logo from its upper and then outfitting it with an edged technique as well as a ripple sole that was developed with Vibram.
Where: Dover Street Market Singapore
When: 1 July 2021
How: In-store only
Retail: SGD279
Price of the TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance 574 'White' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD371 with a low of SGD284. The average sale price is SGD327 but with only two pairs that have been sold at the time of publication.
Recommendation: Go long.
Compared to the other two sneakers this week, the TDS New Balance 574 'White' is doing better on the resale market. But perhaps, not as well as some of the more hype sneakers out there. There has only been two sales made on StockX and they're not great in terms of profits. But if we take into consideration the resale trend of the 'Grey' colourway, it may start to pick up after a while and hover at a pretty decent SGD327.
More drops:
Cop the drop: January 2021
Cop the drop: February 2021
Cop the drop: March 2021
Cop the drop: May 2021
