Nike Dunk Low x Off-White™

The unique features and deconstructed elements on this Nike Dunk Low x Off-White™ mark it out as the work of legendary designer Virgil Abloh. Here, he teamed up with Nike to create an updated version of the Dunk that combines classic elements with never-before-seen design details. In terms of the former, the shoe is set upon a Pine Green rubber outsole with the same high-quality traction as its counterparts. This includes the loop of lugs around the heel, the Nike-branded middle section, the concentric circles below the forefoot and a toe capped with star-shaped nodes. The white midsole also emulates the look and feel of the original with its slightly textured surface, band of stitching and soft foam filling.

On the upper, more unconventional aspects come into play. The base is provided by a layer of premium white leather that is visible on the perforated toe box, through the midfoot panels and around the heel and collar. Atop this lie rich Pine Green leather panels in the familiar locations of the forefoot, eyestay and heel. This last section swoops around the back of the shoe to rest over the top of the eyestay, with which it shares some eyelets. Pine Green laces can be tied up through these, and here is where Abloh’s creative genius begins to emerge as a second set of Flywire laces materialises over the top of the traditional ones. These assert their presence through a powerful shade of orange and are held in place by black loops of fabric that reach out from metal ringlets situated along the shoe’s flanks.

Such bold colouration makes for a memorable appearance, something which is also achieved inside the sneaker. Here, vibrant yellow insoles reside below the padded Pine Green inner lining. Large black swooshes have been printed onto them alongside special Off-White™ branding details. Back on the outer, more branding effects can be found, firstly in the form of the capitalised Nike lettering printed in white on the Pine Green heel panel.

Leather swooshes in more bold Pine Green hues stretch along the sidewalls, the medial one written over with Abloh’s trademark text, which includes the names of both brands and the shoe, the location of Nike’s headquarters and the year that the first Dunk model was released. A small orange tag below the tail end of the lateral swoosh is another of his signature touches, as is the exposed foam on the rim of the white tongue. Meanwhile, the final element of this stylish sneaker is the label sewn into the peak of the tongue. It contains the word “nike” in black lowercase letters over an orange swoosh – a vintage design that honours the classic 80s Dunks.