Nike SB x Wasted Youth Dunk Low Pro
The first official Nike SB collaborative release to stem from Japanese graphic designer Verdy’s 2016-launched Wasted Youth, the Nike SB x Wasted Youth Dunk boasts a counter-culture characteristic that taps into the Tokyo based brand’s punk-rock undertone and ode to underground subcultural styling. Following on from 2019’s Valentine’s minded Nike SB Dunk Lows from Verdy’s follow-up Girls Don’t Cry streetwear label, these distressed black-washed denim sneakers work effortlessly to epitomise non-conformist aesthetics with respect to the silhouette’s infamous courtside lineage.
Heavily influenced by graphic designs assignment within both Japan’s offbeat Harajuku culture trends and the worldwide skate collective, Osaka Design School graduate Verdy has always been inspired by the merging circles of skate and underground punk-scene culture. With an admiration for brands such as BAPE, Supreme and Julien Stranger’s Antihero, Verdy’s Wasted Youth label came into fruition in 2016 with a grass-roots desire to provide like-minded streetwear and skatewear fans with accessible clothing that didn’t burst budgets. Accurately reflecting some of Verdy’s frustrations from youth via its nothing-is-wasted design style and aptly titled namesake, Wasted Youth finds itself well-placed in the contemporary market alongside mainstream Japanese brands such as Evisen Skateboards and Jun Takahasi’s similarly punk-inspired UNDERCOVER. Representative of a message and embodied keepsake for his wife, 2017 witnessed the arrival of follow-on streetwear label Girls Don’t Cry. Inspired by their time spent visiting Los Angeles for the first time and Verdy’s collaborative pop-up work alongside Anwar Carrots’ Carrots, Girls Don’t Cry follows in the footsteps of parent-brand Wasted Youth with its individualist approach toward modern-day aesthetics, whilst its growing international stature has since witnessed collaborations with the likes of Levi’s, Takashi Murakami and of course Nike SB, with the 2019 released aforementioned Dunk Lows accompanying a SPOTAKA Skate Shop debuting capsule collection drop released in Osaka.
Similar to the 2005 Nike SB ‘Medicom 2’ and the C2H4 Nike SB Dunk Low with its washed-denim construction and its frayed-edge stitchings, the Nike SB x Wasted Youth Dunk hosts an unrestrained alt-scene vibe that casts creative contrast to the profile’s never-ending rosta of block-tone reworks and conceptual remasterings. Styled with black-washed denim uppers with butter-smooth tonal leather overlays across the mudguards and eyestays for referential patchwork punk-scene detailing, these low-collared Dunks pair underground counterculture with classic court-culture legacy. Nike’s tech-led Zoom Air heel unit pairs well with the monochrome midsole and cupsole for a reliable everyday tread, whilst the custom-print ‘No Thank You I Don’t Need Your Support’ and ‘Don’t Bother Me Anymore’ insoles bring an additional layer of depth to this expressive silhouette. Exposed stitchings are complemented by the exterior-facing DIY shadow-like Swooshes, whilst the block-leather interior facing Swooshes are enveloped by a directly embroidered white-and-red rose flower that honours the brand’s recurring Budweiser-inspired motif that has been frequently seen to depict a tulip growing from a crumpled beer can; a nod to punk-rock, skate culture and US-centric calling cards that inspired Verdy’s design style from youth. Puffy black laces secure the ‘Nike SB Dunk Low Pro’ branded padded tongue across the natural arch of the foot, whilst the split-detail ‘Wasted’ ‘Youth’ white-stitched detailing across each ankle collar is sealed with metallic-silver D-ring piercings and patchwork-stitch red trims for a deconstructed sign-off well tuned to its against-the-grain blueprint and the brand’s vintage Budweiser-inspired inverted logo bordering.
Known collectively as the new Godfather of Japanese streetwear, Wasted Youth’s skate team was one born from mononymous designer Verdy’s aspiration to support his home-town Osakajin community and neighbourhood. Having initially felt that everything of interest only really happened in Tokyo, the city where the brand now calls home, Verdy’s overall goal for both the skate team and Wasted Youth as a whole is one focused on celebrating connections, affordable apparel and making the neighbourhood feel more alive.
Please read carefully for purchase details:
This product is sold on an enter draw to purchase basis. The draw opens on Wednesday 31st March 2021 at 17.00PM (BST) and closes on Thursday 1st April 2021 at 08:00AM (BST). You can enter the draw here.
Winners will be picked on Saturday 3rd April 2021 at 08.00AM (BST) and we will aim to confirm both successful and unsuccessful entries within three hours.
Winning entries will start shipping Tuesday 6th April.
Limited to one pair per person. UK only, no forwarding addresses.
All releases products are subject to our standard returns terms and conditions.
For each release we will invite those interested to enter a draw to purchase prior to the products actual designated time of release. Card payment will be required to register for each draw and your payment will be authorised but the funds not taken by us unless your name is successfully drawn at the designated time and date of the actual release.
If you are unsuccessful in the draw the pre-authorisation will be voided and your funds released, it may take up to five working days before you see your funds available in your account again.
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