Though new fashion trends have developed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the denim sneaker is proving to be a mainstay rather than a passing fad. Nike’s latest drop, which updates a fan-favorite style with Japanese denim, further illustrates that the trend has staying power that will carry it through the new decade.
The athletic brand is set to debut a Japan-exclusive iteration of the Air Jordan 3 Retro SE, which sees Japanese-made denim along the toe-guard, heel and lace collar with a gray elephant-print overlay. Aside from those few pops of denim, the shoe remains minimally designed, with a white tumbled leather upper and red accents on the eyestays, tongue graphic and collar.
A region-specific logo appears on the heel piece, replacing the standard “Nike” logo with three katakana, one of the three characters used in the Japanese language.
The Air Jordan 3 Retro SE is available exclusively at select Japanese retailers on Aug. 7 in full family sizes, with men’s pairs retailing for $190. A nearly identical style will make its way to the U.S. later this month and feature standard Nike Air branding on the heel piece.
The appeal of denim sneakers is wide. Earlier this month, G-Star Raw updated its Rovulc denim sneaker to feature “Renewed Denim R,” a fabric made from 100 percent recycled cotton, as part of its Fall 2020 sustainability innovations. Skateboarding apparel brand Supreme and footwear label Vans also recently teamed on denim versions of the Vans Sk8-Hi and the Vans Slip-On shoe.
On social media, Denham the Jeanmaker is teasing an upcoming collaboration with Nike as well.
