[Update 10 Oct] Official images are available and the sneaker is set to release on 15th October in Japan via Nike SNKRS and selected retailers.

In a saturated sneaker market, collaborations are one strategy that brands have picked up to stand out from the crowd. Nike SB, the Swoosh’s line of skateboarding clothing and shoes, engages heavily in such a tactic even before the term “collab” was a colloquial norm. Its lineup of partnerships include a band of well-loved names such as Ben & Jerry’s, Levi’s and Gundam, along with creatives such as graffiti artist Futura.
Moving beyond brands and creatives, it seems like Nike SB is steadily heading towards partnerships with community-centred organisations. This is confirmed by the latest partnership news with Skate Like a Girl, an organisation that aims to create an inclusive skateboarding community. Such initiatives are becoming more commonplace as conversations on the dominance of male voices in the skateboarding community have been fuelled by the inclusion of skateboarding and female skaters in the Tokyo Olympics.

Such a collaborative effort between Nike and the non-profit organisation suggests that the Swoosh is paying attention towards breaking down barriers within the community. The culmination of this project is a Nike SB Dunk Low in a burgundy and off-white colourway. Incorporating the community focus of Skate Like a Girl, the insole features charming line art of female skaters alongside the organisation’s logo and the signature Swoosh inverted — perhaps a visual show of subverting the norm. The message of inclusivity is reinforced at the heel, where two arms grasping onto each other is embroidered.

According to @die_sel666, the shoe will feature “premium nubuck upper, toweled sock liner, gum bottoms”. Other notable elements include the ridged appearance on the tongue and Swoosh, a deviation from the usual leather editions. The result is a sneaker with a padded look that seems extremely comfortable to slip into.
No official release dates have been set for this collaboration, but it is likely that the shoe will drop in a few months. Till then, enjoy the images available and check back on our site for updated details in the coming weeks.