Onitsuka Tiger today announced the launch of the Koi Koi, the third sneaker that it has created in collaboration with Berlin design collective Koi Klub.

The sneaker has a two-tone “nude” colour scheme, which uses contrasting flesh tones – pink for the body and a pale brown for the heel stripes and toe caps. This is combined with detailing in orange. The nude colour scheme is intended to symbolize the bare skin of lovers, while the orange signifies the heat of intense passion. The lining is grey.

Each shoe in the pair is laser-etched with a different Japanese character, standing for “intense” and “love” respectively, but of course both are pronounced the same way – “koi”. The word “koi” has as many as six meanings in Japanese, and Koi Klub uses these linguistic possibilities as the inspiration for all its designs. The repetition of the word in the phrase “koi koi” translates as “intense love” in English.

The design of the sneaker is based on that of the LAY-UP 72. This is a contemporary replica of the classic LAY-UP NYLON shoe from 1972, an early example of the trend in youth fashion towards sports shoes as leisure wear.

Three other carefully selected fashion wear designers have also been invited to get involved in the Koi Koi project, two from Koi Klub’s native Germany and one from Onitsuka Tiger’s homeland of Japan. They were chosen because they share Onitsuka Tiger and Koi Koi’s creativity, attention to detail, passion for quality and authentic spirit.

Tokyo-based Zillion created the laces for the Koi Koi sneakers, which are made from vintage kimono fabric and use the same orange colours as the shoes themselves.

The two German partners, meanwhile, were asked to come up with accessories that would complement the Koi Koi sneaker. Airbag Craftworks has created a version of its Chicago bag that uses the beige nude colour of the sneaker outer and the grey of its lining, combined as in the shoe with orange detailing. The bag is made of high-quality lightweight water-resistant cotton and a rich soft leather, and is supplied with a grey classical Pentel pen. Berlin-based A.D. Deertz, meanwhile, has designed a stylish soft cotton T-shirt which juxtaposes a nude pink body with the red-brown colour used for the taping around the outsole of the shoes.

Look out for a release at selected sneaker retailers across Europe in the coming months.

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© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: a.d deertz, airbag craftworks, koiklub, laces, onitsuka tiger, sneakers bags, t-shirts, zillion

Here’s a closer look at the second collaboration Starks did with OriginalFake. For Summer 2010 they present 4 colorways of the Chomper lace, which are now for sale via the Starks web store.

Take a leap for more images.

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© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: Pete Williams | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, original fake, starks

For the second time Original Fake and Starks Laces worked together. For Summer 2010 they present 4 new colorways of the collaborative shoe laces, once again featuring the Kaws Chum design. Via Medicom.

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, original fake, starks

The World’s best athletes have joined in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. To promote the (NIKE) RED lace campaign, the brand has produced a video featuring Didier Drogba, Andrei Arshavin, Clint Dempsey, Denilson, Marco Materazzi, Javier Mascherano, Fabio Cannavaro along with Maria Sharapova and Kobe Bryant. Check it out and support!

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, nike red, videos

Today Nike launched their new (Nike) Red campaign in London, together with some of the world’s most prominent soccer players. The first product to be introduced are (NIKE) RED laces. The laces are specifically designed for football boots. But anyone can wear them.

“We’re working with Nike to leverage the power of sport to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa. Together we’re focusing on two initiatives: Educate and Medicate. Our aim is to ensure that HIV positive people in Africa have access to the medicine they need to stay alive and to continue to build education programs through the power of sport.”

The laces will be released at Nikestore.com on December 1st.

More news on this launch will follow this week!

© 2009 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, nike red

Yesterday we gave you a first peak at the Original Fake x Starks “Chompers” Laces and today they have released. Coming in three colorways, the laces feature the Kaws Chompers design on them and an Original Fake logo. You can purchase them now from colette.

More detailed images of the Original Fake x Starks Laces follow after the jump.

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© 2009 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, orignal fake, Starks Laces

The Kaws Chompers design has already decorated many apparel pieces, including t-shirts, jackets, New Era caps, belts and more. In their latest collaboration Original Fake got together with Starks Laces to add sneaker laces to their offering. The laces come in a series of colorways and should be available very soon. We will keep you posted. Image via Easttouch.

© 2009 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, original fake, Starks Laces

Our friend Hikmet just send over this video of flashing laces. They are on a Puma x Solebox collaborative sneaker, which is probably going to come out soon!

© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, puma, Sneakers, solebox

For the holidays Starks has come with their new “Checkers” laces. Coming in a beige/brown pattern, this is the first time the design has actually been screen-printed onto their 8mm lace. These are now available on the Starks site and at retailers around the globe.

More detailed images of the Starks “Checkers” Laces follow after the jump.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, starks

Starks presents their latest set of laces – the Solid Pack. It consists of red and purple woven laces, coming in two colorways. Both laces feature a white PVC aglet with red logo print and are now available in their online store.

More detailed images of the Starks Solid Pack follow after the jump.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, starks

Starks presents their latest set of laces – the Trail Pack. It consists of the Step Tech laces, which are braided black/yellow/grey round laces and feature a black PVC aglet. The other pair, entitled the Dots, are woven black/white laces, also featuring a black aglet.

Take a more detailed look at the Starks “Trail Pack” after the jump.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, Sneakers, starks

Starks has produced some laces for the Colette x Gap pop-up store in New York. The woven laces come in a black/yellow colorway and feature on one end the Colette logo and on the other end the Gap logo.

Have a more detailed look after the jump.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: colette x gap, highsnobiety, laces, starks

Gram shoes got together with Danish knitwear brand S.N.S. The knitwear experts, known for their heavy winter knits, used for many years by fishermen, have produced laces for Gram, matching their latest range of jumpers.
"In the city of Herning on the Danish island of Jutland lies the knitting mill of S.N.S. Squeezed in between two giant flatbeds on the factory floor stands an old shoelace machine all but forgotten, this collaboration is the story of how it came back to life, and how 250 pairs of handmade wool laces came about. S.N.S. x gram laces will premier exclusively at Solo Norrmalmstorg in Stockholm from September, and later be available through selected stores worldwide for a limited time only. Price €13.99." Via Sneaker Freaker.
After the jump a closer look at the quality laces.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: collaboration, gram, highsnobiety, knitwear, laces, Shoes, Sneakers, sns herning

ALIFE and Reebok are proud to introduce the ALIFE for Reebok collection: 4 classic Reebok silhouettes realized entirely in canvas for the first time.

Featuring DuPont technology, the all-canvas uppers have been coated in Teflon, making them stain and water resistant while still allowing all of the breathability of traditional summer weight canvas.

The men’s pack features the ERS 5000, a very clean running shoe that was originally introduced in 1993, in three colorways: White/Yellow, Grey/Blue and Black/Red. ERS stands for Energy Return System and the 5000 was the pinnacle product within the ERS category which also included the ERS 1000 and 2000.

The women’s pack features the Ventilator, the Pro Legacy Mid and the Freestyle High, three different iconic styles originally designed for three different functions: running, basketball and aerobics, respectively.Like the men’s pack, the women’s pack also features White, Grey and Black canvas uppers.

All six shoes feature fully leather-lined collars and insoles, and each shoe comes with three additional pairs of shoe laces, each packaged in a custom printed lace-bag.

Available this Saturday, July 12th exclusively at ALIFE NYC, ALIFE LA, ALIFE Vancouver and ALIFE Tokyo and available next Saturday, July 19th at select retailers globally. Limited edition T-Shirt available this Saturday, July 12th exclusively at ALIFE flagship boutiques.
Detailed images of all sneakers and t-shirts as well as laces after the jump.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: alife, collaboration, ers 5000, footwear, free style high, highsnobiety, laces, nyc, pro legacy mid, reebok, Sneakers, t-shirts

Amsterdam’s Patta has released some nice straight forward tees and a collection of colorful laces. Now available at Patta and also at 24 kilates. 

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: highsnobiety, laces, patta, tees

Starks has released their latest laces. The “Tribe” design this time made it onto the laces and is made up of a black/green/red colorway, inspired by A Tribe Called Quest album artwork!
More pictures after the jump.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: highsnobiety, laces, Sneakers, starks, tribe

The latest laces to be introduced by Starks are these Fade To Red and Fade To Blue styles. Taking less inspiration from popular sneakers, these are a little bit more subtle and show that the brand an also take different ways in terms of design.
After the jump a closer look.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: fade to blue, fade to red, laces, starks

Here the latest from Starks – Houndstooth as well as the first double side printed laces to be ever made. These are available now at stores and online.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: double sided printing, houndstooth, laces, starks

I Have Pop, a creative project with inspiration from sneakers has just dropped their latest project. They became known with their concrete dunks, that were placed in front of the most iconic sneaker boutiques around the globe. After that they came out of toys made out of sneaker boxes. The new project is perfect for the season and equally interesting – scarfs made out of sneaker laces – Necklaces.
The scarfs are hand knitted in the Netherlands and are 100% cotton. What we especially like, is that you have to get a close look to see what they are made of, otherwise one does not realize. Another great project by I Have Pop. Pics via Ontour.
They are now available in the I Have Pop Online Store. More pictures after the jump.

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© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: i have pop, laces, necklaces, netherlands, scarfs, Sneakers

Starks continues to present innovative laces. Here we present you their Series 3, the Woven Series. They offer both multicolor styles and more simple color combinations, thus something for every taste. Look out for these soon at premium sneakers boutiques around the globe!

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© 2007 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: laces, series 3, starks, woven