Ross Dwyer Hong Kong-based artist Michael Lau is widely considered to be the godfather of vinyl toy figures and is also known for his signature illustration style, but now he’s bringing his fiercely unique ethos to yet another chapter in his long-running partnership with Nike. Lau and the Swoosh Brand’s Nike SB skate subdivision have joined forces once again for special SB Blazer Lows that the artist has titled “Salvator Michael” — a centerpiece character featured in the artist’s current COLLECT THEM ALL! exhibition in Shanghai — and dressed with a unique all-over print due to different cuts on the canvas.
Apart from their colorful painted uppers that give off a high art-style look, Lau’s Nike shoes also offer a large pull tab on their tongue, an embellishment that’s not normally present on the inherently sleek Blazer. The right shoe’s standard branded heel tab is also swapped out for a gallery tag graphic that provides info on both Lau’s “sixth exhibit” and the shoes themselves. The eggshell-colored midsole then features stapled details, nodding to the fasteners that secure a painting canvas to its frame, and Lau’s signature appears on the lateral heel. Unique stylings don’t stop with the shoes themselves, however: they come packaged in a large co-branded wooden box, secured by two rubber straps and featuring yet another gallery tag. Many long-time fans may remember that this isn’t Lau’s first go-around with the Nike Blazer either, as he worked on a “Beijing BMX” edition back in 2008. They’ll be available on August 18th at select retailers, so enjoy a first look right here in the meantime.
Michael Lau x Nike SB Blazer “Salvator Michael”
Release Date: August 18th, 2019
Select Images: michaellau
