To ring in the Chinese New Year on Feb. 6, sneaker heavyweights Jordan, Adidas and Converse have unveiled limited edition styles that celebrate the year of the red monkey.
Jordan
Kites, and their representation of good luck in Chinese culture, served as the inspiration for Jordan Brand’s 2016 Chinese New Year pack. The Air Jordan V Retro Low and Jordan Super.Fly 4 PO are accented with kite-inspired graphics and corresponding tones.
The graphic integrates cues from the Air Jordan V, including the shoe’s midsole design and outsole pattern. A hidden basketball court is found in the center of the graphic and includes inspirations from fighter jets and traditional Chinese kites.
Adidas
Adidas Originals released a dedicated Tubular pack consisting of the Tubular Runner, Tubular X and Tubular Doom on Saturday in honor of the year of the monkey.
The three models feature all red uppers in premium fabrications, offset by Tubular’s signature bright white outsole. The styles’ defining feature is an embossed monkey face on the heel counter.
Converse
Converse’s three-part 2016 Chinese New Year Collection combines modern silhouettes with Chinese styled imagery inspired by The Monkey King, the character in the classic Chinese story “Journey to the West.” A special Year of The Monkey logo is featured throughout the collection.
The Chinese New Year Leather collection features black and white leather uppers accented with the Year of The Monkey logo on the heel strip. Gold shoelace eyelets and lace aglets add a refined touch to Chuck Taylor All Stars. The Chuck Taylor All Star Core Slip Platform for women features a translucent outsole and subtle golden piping.
A geometric pattern representing clouds and mountains blankets the Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas pack. The line includes the Chuck Taylor All Star and Chuck Taylor All Star slip-on. The range incorporates a red license plate and outsole to symbolize the good fortune and joy associated with any Chinese New Year celebration.
The Chinese Chuck Taylor All Star Red collection draws inspiration from the Jingu Bang, the magic weapon wielded by the Monkey King in the “Journey to the West.” Sneakers feature abstract bold black and red stripes on the uppers and visuals representing the journey in the lining.
The theme carries throughout a range of graphic T-shirts and matching bags in white, black, red and heather gray.