Controversy and Kicks?
How can this be, controversy and kicks? I guess with any medium for artistic expression, controversial situations can arise.
Adidas Y1 HUF
Recently, Adidas released a limited-edition lifestyle shoe as part of their Sport Heritage collection. As part of the “Yellow Series” line, this shoe named “Y1 HUF” was a collaboration with skate shop HUF and was designed by Barry McGee. On the tongue of the Y1 HUF, McGee, who is half Chinese, used a caricature of an Asian with buck teeth, a bowl haircut, and slated eyes. Needless to say, this pair of kicks kicked off controversy in the Asian community who called the shoe and its maker, Adidas, racist. On-line sneaker community NikeTalk also has a lively conversation about the racial undertones of the Y1 HUF.
McGee says this character he calls Ray Fong is nothing more than an image of himself when he was 8 years old and has used this image in his other works. The $250 shoe released on April 1 with only 1000 pairs made and was only available in boutique shops in San Francisco, New York, LA, Paris, London, Tokyo, Hamburg, and Denmark.
After numerous complaints from several groups, Adidas finally pulled the shoe from circulation and issued an apology “for the offense that was caused and for the unfortunate misinterpretation of our intentions.”
Despite the racial controversy, you know what this means in the kicks world? Instant collectors item. Very rare shoes that got even harder to get and attached with controversy – criteria for serious collectors.
Nike Air Bakin’
Back in 1997, there was a similar controversy with the Nike Air Bakin’. This funky, red basketball shoe featured the Nike “Air” moniker engulfed in flames on the back of the shoe. However, Muslims recognized the stylized logo as the word “Allah,” the Arabic word for God and felt Nike was disrespecting their religion. Nike modified the logo so that the word Air was more clearly apparent.
Nike Hawaii/Pele Dunks
Closer to home and not as controversial was the release of the Nike Hawaii/Pele Dunks. These shoes feature Hawaii thematic elements including an insole with Madame Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. The good folks at In4mation who had an early release of the shoe heeded their spiritual side and removed the insoles so that shoeheads wouldn’t be stepping on the goddess of fire. The original insoles were still in the box along with this letter.
Nike Avenger Dunks
And lastly, not really controversial, but… mixed martial arts fighter, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, was suspended from competition after being arrested for burglary. While the legal case is still on-going, Mayhem has been reinstated to the ring. I happened to catch a KHNL television interview discussing his reinstatement and took these shots.
What’s that peaking out on the side of Mayhem? None other than Nike Avenger Dunks.
Controversy and kicks – you gotta love it!