We’ve seen some inventive takes on Nike‘s custom Vac-Tech treatment as applied to some of the brand’s iconic styles, but this new Nike Air Max 90 VT PRM presents an altogether new look for the classic silhouette. Constructed with a virtually seamless leather upper, the shoe takes on a vinyl-like quality that’s sure to inspire double takes in curious passersby. The visible Nike Air unit and familiar rubber outsole remain, but otherwise this Air Max 90 is exceedingly far removed from its origins as a performance running shoe. The Nike Air Max 90 VT PRM in Obsidian and Dark Slate is available now at End Clothing.

End Clothing
4-6 High Bridge | Map
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 1EN, England

Details are where it’s at in taking in the splendor of the Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons MAN Spring/Summer 2012 collection. It’s especially true for the brand’s selection of shirting, highlighting a pastiche of colors, patterns and materials that can only be executed with a sure hand and deft eye. Many of the shirts feature a club collar, creating a vintage feel that’s further enhanced by traditional plaids in rustic hues, while complementary shoulder and rear-arm panels plus blown-up chest pockets inject a healthy dose of avant-garde styling. The result is gentleman farmer meets Tokyo dandy. Check out the fresh assortment of Junya Watanabe MAN shirts at the Goodhood Store.

The Goodhood Store
41 Coronet Street | Map
N1 6HD London, England

In highlighting London’s colorful past and vibrant culture, vodka distillery ABSOLUT enlisted Jamie Hewlett (of Gorillaz and Tank Girl fame) to condense the city’s vibe onto a limited edition art bottle. Like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Jean-Michael Basquiat, Louise Bourgeois, and others before him, Hewlett touched-up the bottle with his own signature depiction of London’s past d00 years, first as the backdrop of Dickensian novels, the Dandyism and Savile Row styling at the turn of 1900s, to subsequent raise of hippie, Ska, Punk and 80′s chic in the last century. Celebrating the city’s wealth of tradition and heritage, the ABSOLUT LONDON Edition Art Bottle by Jamie Hewlett will be available through department stores Harvey Nichols and Selfridges on March 1st. In conjunction to the launch, ABSOLUT will be giving away 50 bottles through its Instagram starting tomorrow, February 9th. For more details on its availability and a chance to win one, simply visit ABSOLUT UK Facebook page for more information.

This coming New York Fashion Week, the townies from “South Park” will take the Big Apple by storm thanks to designer Marc Jacobs and brand president Robert Duffy. Featuring Eric Cartman, Randy Marsh and Butters Stotch from the gut-busting animated series “South Park”, each caricature bared it all with the exception of carefully placed message “Protect Your Largest Organ” on a trio of cotton tees. The strip tease is actually to raise awareness on skin cancer (skin is actually the largest organ on your body) and the proceeds from t-shirt sales go to The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group at New York University. All three are now available for US$ 35 each at Marc Jacobs retail locations and online store.

BEAMS approach to fashion is multifaceted and is regularly “outside of the box.” Over the years, the BEAMS family has launched some unique products, most recently with the DRUG STORE Collection, but this time the giant Japanese brand hits us with something more familiar as a result of their collaboration with New Era: the 59FIFTY Solid Pack. BEAMS took this classic cap worn both on the diamond and in the streets and expanded its color range to include some fresh tints that can be worn as-is or customized with your own personal touches. You can pick up this limited edition pack directly from the ZOZOTOWN online store for delivery in late March.

The number of high-profile Dunk releases has been pretty low over the past couple of months, with sneakerheads seeming to gravitate more and more towards Nike‘s latest range of signature sneakers to get their fix. If anything can reverse that trend though it’s this trio of Nike Dunk High Premium models set to release in conjunction with the 2012 NBA All-Star game. Again coming with the NASA look, the set of Dunks is modeled after the aesthetics of astronaut gear, with waxed canvas uppers and a stenciled font with a bold military feel. Then of course there’s the painstaking attention to detail, manifested in the stellar print on the lining, the removable patches and Swooshes, and the clean icy outsole. Follow us after the jump to get a look at all three pairs, which will be available on Thursday, February 28th from NikeStore online as well as a select set of premium Nike Basketball accounts.

Release Date: February 23rd, 2012 (Thursday)

Mademoiselle Yulia‘s 2011 electro-pop anthem “Gimme Gimme” is not only a catchy musical observation on consumerism. It is also a declaration of modern female empowerment, through rapid succession of wants in life where just decades ago would not be conceivable, at least for a girl. While Mademoiselle Yulia will not acquire the majority of desirable listed on her very stylize wishlist (at least for now), the talented Japanese entertainer and trend setter will most likely have an endless supply of her favorite jaunty outfits and shoes, courtesy of her good friend, the indomitable fashion designer Jeremy Scott. In the most recently photoshoot session for adidas Originals by Jeremy Scott, Mademoiselle Yulia took part in creating her own signature look as well as a brief glimpse into Spring/Summer 2012 Collection. In the meantime, some of the items are now available at select adidas Originals retail locations around the globe.

In our most recent RE-Fresh segment, we highlighted the significance of the Nike Cortez, not only within the company’s lore but the progression of running from its start as an amateur sport to professional athletic events here in the U.S. Now, some 40 years later, that most identifiable model during the early part of Nike’s history will be available once again as the Nike Sportswear Track & Field Collection. Celebrating both the past and the present with Nike Lady Cortez and Nike Cortez Classic, both notable facsimiles to the original designs, from the iconic herringbone tread pattern, the EVA-layer midsole, to the upper options of either full-grain leather or weatherproof three-layer. Though replicated to the exact details of the original aesthetically, Nike updated the construct and materials for greater comfort plus durability.

As part of the Track & Field Collection, both the Nike Cortez Classic and Nike Lady Cortez are available now at select Nike Sportswear, including its 21 Mercer flagship store in New York City.

Nike Sportswear – 21 Mercer
21 Mercer Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL #: 212-226-5433

Several trajectory updates and course corrections later is the Nike Zoom Kobe VII System for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. As with all other Nike Basketball offerings, including the Zoom KD IV and LeBron 9, Kobe Bryant‘s signature edition underwent a visual overhaul. Inspired by space exploration along with the legacy of having the “right stuff”, a galactic pattern of nebula, supernova, and distant stars adorned the upper. In the spirit of Kobe’s “black mamba” moniker, an appointment of a snake-like constellation slithered its way onto the sockliner, as well as “mamba mission patch” on the heel counter.  Finally, similar to all other Space Exploration Pack from Nike Basketball, the semi-translucent outsole eerily glows in the dark to light up the night time sky.

The Nike Basketball Space Exploration Pack for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game will be available on Saturday, February 25th, at select retail locations and NikeStore.com

Release Date: February 25th, 2012 (Saturday)

Nike‘s NBA All-Star Game offerings for 2012 are certainly taking things to infinity and beyond, both in the number of sneakers set to drop and in the inherent inspiration spread across the collection. The Nike LeBron 9 from the pack shown here manages the feat of being the brightest sneaker of the bunch, no easy task given the luminous looks the range is built on. Coming with the requisite glow in the dark soles on bottom, the upper is wrapped in a set of mango tones that will definitely light up the court come the All-Star game on February 26th. Luckily you’ll have the opportunity to lace up in them as well, as this pair is set to drop with the rest of the collection on Saturday, February 25th at select locations which include NikeStore online. Follow us after the jump for the high-res shots and be on the lookout for these on the feet of King James come All-Star time.

Release Date: February 25th, 2012 (Saturday)

The Nike Zoom KD IV has quite a bit of competition even within the isolated realm of Nike Basketball designs, vying for your attention alongside mainstay sneakers from the LeBron and Kobe lines. Nevertheless we’ve seen it make waves again and again, and we’d be pretty surprised if the 2012 NBA All-Star Game version shown here doesn’t do the same. The space age shoe dons a metallic silver on the upper, with a detailed milky way graphic spread across the sleek midsole and a NASA like KD patch on the tongue. Did we mention the glow in the dark soles? You know by now about the huge range of NBA All-Star game drops to choose from come February 23rd, so will you be blasting off with Kevin Durant‘s entry into the range? Follow us after the jump, as the full photos should help you make a decision.

Release Date: February 23rd, 2012 (Thursday)

Celebrating a lineage space exploration and the upcoming 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, Nike unveiled its commemoration collection featuring  aforementioned Nike Flight One, Nike Dunk, as all as this galactic themed Nike Foamposite One.  Imprinted with the hypnotic graphic of galaxies, distant star systems, and Supernova, the Nike Foamposite One also pays homage to one of the most popular NBA player to date – Penny Hardaway, who started his career with the Orlando Magic.  On a polyurethane midsole and Zoom Air unit at the heel, Nike Foamposite One remains a head turner long after its introduction thanks to the unique upper, one which challenge conventional design at the time, a poignant similarity when the NASA Space Program first took shape at Cape Canaveral some 50 years ago.

The Nike Space Exploration Pack for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game will be available on Thursday, February 23rd, at select retail locations and NikeStore.com

Release Date: February 23rd, 2012 (Thursday)