Mimi Plange founded her eponymous label in 2010 with Ibrahim Ndoye, where they adapt American sportswear garments into canvases for visual storytelling, and for the celebration of their African heritage. The label’s inimitable modus operandi has caught the attention of the Swoosh, giving her the opportunity to work with LeBron James, with the LeBron 18 as the focus of the collaboration.

Two colorways have previously been released—”Higher Learning” and “Daughters”—back in 2021. Such a positive reception to the shoes garnered the label another invitation back into the Nike laboratory, commissioned to add two more into the Mimi Plange x Nike catalogue. Poetically called “Scarred Perfection” and ”Mad King”, they pick up the same canvas once more to depict another viewpoint, give another window, into Africa and its cultural diversity.

“Scarred Perfection” shines light on the contradistinct concepts of individuality and tribalism, and their unison within the identity of the African people. Shades of ivory, coral, purple, and sky blue adorn the pair with intricate trapunto quilting dancing along the upper’s entirety, celebrating the unique body adornments known to the continent.

Its partner in the the “Mad King”, comes dressed in an equally colorful ensemble of nature-inspired hues. Its outfitting embellished with the writing symbols of the Bantu people—a tribe, a family consisting of 400 ethnic groups. The icons scattered across its upper represent wisdom, unity, greatness, and the future. The lion insignia gives nod to King James himself, as does his signature crown logo on the heel.

The collection will be available exclusively on Mimi Plange’s store from 14th October on. There’s no official price point shared but assuming them to be the same as their predecessors, these pairs are likely to go for US$170, too.

Have you seen LeBron’s Nike Air Force 1 Low “Four Horsemen” yet? It was first gifted exclusively to him and his inner circle, but 20 years later, it’ll finally hit the shelves.