SOLE ACADEMY "MAXPERIENCE" AIR MAX EXHIBIT

It's quite safe to assume that on the very first day of a new year everyone is hung over, lethargic, and at the very least, tired. Same goes for me, and I'm sure that's how it is for you too.

This year though, it was a bit different.

Yes, I was hung over, and yes I was tired... But not too tired to wake up and take the long drive to Katipunan. Why you might ask? What's in Katipunan that is better than New Year's Day sleep?

January 1, 2013. Our good friends from Sole Academy held an exhibit dubbed "THE AIR MAX EXPERIENCE" that coincided with the Air Max OG Retro release. If you know me well and if you read my entry "12 THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR IN 2012", you would know that I am obsessed with the Air Max 1.

Anyway, the good people behind the sportswear and lifestyle store spent their holidays curating the very best pairs from the Air Max lineage. From the 1987 OG pair, to crazy collabs, to 1-of-1s, Sole Academy (with the help of Sole Movement's very own Martin David) pulled out all stops to provide the fans of the most enduring technology in all of sports an exhibition unlike any other.

So you still think I'm crazy for skipping sleep for this? Check the photos and you might just see what I mean.

I would like to give a shout out to the entire Sole Academy crew for being so helpful and accommodating. Big ups and congrats to my good friends Jojo and Carlo who skipped NYE partying to give the fans a good time, the event was a success! I had a blast! Thanks for having me. Also, shouts to the biggest AM connoisseur that I know, Mr. Martin David... Great job, bud!

The Sole Academy "MAXPERIENCE" Air Max Exhibit will run till next week. Check it out.

On with the photos.

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PUMA RE-SUEDE COLOR

PUMA took one of the brand’s most well-known and iconic shoes, the Suede, and re-tooled each component with the highest degree of recycled materials, delivering sustainable style through an unforgettable look and a pop of color to re-introduce the PUMA Re-Suede Color.

An icon of culture, the original PUMA Suede was famous for its bright colours, suede material, and custom lacing techniques throughout the 70s, 80s, & 90s.  Today, the PUMA Re-Suede has been developed using the latest materials and processes in eco-friendly product innovation.

The synthetic ultra suede upper material is created by Toray, leaders in the development of environmentally-responsible materials. The synthetic suede is comprised of 100% recycled polyester fibers and the outsole is made from Double R Rice Rubber.

The new footwear is incredibly light weight, thereby reducing the fossil fuels needed in transport, saving 15 tons of carbon emissions for every ten-thousand pairs shipped.

The Re-Suede will be sold in PUMA’s Clever Little Bag, a cutting-edge innovation in sustainable packaging that replaces traditional shoeboxes.

The PUMA RE-SUEDE Color will be available at Sole Academy starting Monday, October 15 and will retail for Php 4,710.00.

THE GOOD LIFE /// THE WEEK IN REVIEW

SOLE ACADEMY X NIKE CORTEZ 40/40 EVENT RECAP

One of the most iconic footwear silhouettes in history, the Nike Cortez celebrated its 40th anniversary last Wednesday at Sole Academy. The traffic and the impending rain did not stop sneaker connoisseurs and design junkies (such as myself) to witness this very special event.

You might ask, what is 40/40? No... It's not Jay-Z's club.

To celebrate the 40th year of the Cortez, Nike collaborated with 40 artists across Southeast Asia and were given the freehand to express their own renditions on the classic icon. Eight artists from the Philippines were chosen to bring their designs to life -- Eunice Alera, Laureen Uy, JP Cuison, AJ Dimarucot, Nelz Yumul, Anton Lopez, Ron Poe in collaboration with Myke Sambajon and Miggy Chavez. These eight individuals represent eight different artistic backgrounds such as music, fashion and graphic design that signify the diversity and versatility of the Cortez.

On my drive home, my mind was going overdrive on how I would do mine if ever I was part of the team. I'm sure the eight had fun! I can only imagine how cool it was for them to re-envision a classic, and for their pieces to be part of history.

I would like to take this time to thank Nike and Ogilvy for inviting Locker Room Legends to this event - Miss Mae, Miles, Jandric, Hannah, Lhen, and Pam. Big shouts also to Sole Academy for being such a dope host - Jojo, Mike, Carlo, and the Reyes brothers, Mark and Martin.

If you would like to see the eight featured pairs, drop by Sole Academy now. The pairs will be on exhibit until the 1st of July.

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