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)

We already gave you the heads up on Takashi Murakami’s middle eastern debut entitled EGO, and we’re back now with some preview images from the show in advance of its February 9th opening. Included in the exhibit are a gang of Murakami’s most famous works, among them his twisted imagery inspired by the nuclear generation which runs side by side with his uber-cute characters and burning bright pastel imagery. Billed as a self portrait of sorts, the massive space seeks reflect the mind of Murakami in all of its bizarre imagery and surreal shapes. Follow us after the jump for the full gallery of shots from the the show, which will run from February 9th to June 24th at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. via BKRW

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)

Taking its name from the handball tournament where it made its debut back in the 1970′s, the adidas Originals Baltic Cup makes its comeback in two new colorways ahead of the upcoming launch of the Archive collection. Constructed with a premium suede upper in either a soft clay or blue contrasted with bright yellow or orange branding on the profile, heel, and lining, this take on the Baltic Cup represents a vibrate retake for the classic silhouette. Finishing off the look is a dark gum rubber sole and additional touches of color on the tongue and laces. Look for these to begin to ship from HANON in March 2012 or pre-orders your pair now.

If you’ve been staying tuned to Freshness, you know doubt know by now that about Nike’s galactic theme surrounding their massive set of 2012 NBA All-Star Game releases. With the game taking place in Florida, a well known NASA hub, the tie-in feels like a relevant place for Nike to start from. Again drawing from the various entities that have made Florida great, the pack is anchored by a set of Penny Hardaway signature models, with one of the most exciting being the Nike Air Flight One shown here. Coming back out of nowhere for a surprise retro treatment, both pairs from the Space Exploration pack will drop on Thursday, February 23rd at NikeStore online as well as a handful of premium retailers. Check the official images after the jump of the glow-in-the-dark version along with the Orlando looking colorway, and stick with Freshness for more info on the Space Exploration pack.

Release Date: February 23rd, 2012 (Thursday)

Produced by: Dan Hwang
Written by: Jesse Carr

Our next segment for the RE-Fresh project looks at what may be Nike’s most iconic running silhouette—the Cortez. The Cortez, in short, launched the Nike brand. Some sources have the origin of the Cortez reaching back as far as 1968 when an elite track coach named Bill Bowerman decided his athletes needed an edge. For a bit of background for those unfamiliar with the co-founder of Nike, Bowerman has had one of the great coaching legacies in all of collegiate sports. He coached 4 National title teams and 31 Olympic athletes. He’s also credited for bringing the concept of jogging to America after an eye-opening trip to New Zealand in 1962. Four years later, Bowerman published a book called, simply, Jogging, which sold over one million copies and ignited the interest in what is now one of the world’s most popular forms of exercise.

Its been a long seven months since we first learned that Microsoft‘s Xbox division would be releasing a Star Wars x Xbox 360 Kinect Limited Edition Bundle, but the long-awaited release info is here. Available for pre-order now on Amazon at $449, this bundle includes a 320GB Xbox 360 featuring a unique R2-D2 design complete with a blue light and R2-D2 sounds, a first-ever all-white Kinect sensor, a C-3PO themed gold metallic controller, and two games: Kinect Star Wars and Kinect Adventures. Using the Kinect sensor, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself into the Star Wars universe where you can use the Force, ride a Pod Racer, and jump, fight, and kick your way through the 20+ adventures. So, whether you needed a new Xbox (or not) or just needed the latest Star Wars fix, head over to Amazon to get yourself set-up for its April 3rd, 2012 launch.

Release Date: April 3rd, 2012 (Tuesday)

Berlin based portage company Bagjack have been producing high quality, hand made bags for 17 years now. Their experience and craftsmanship is poured into their latest messenger bag line entitled the Next Level or NXL. These bags are based on their classic messenger bags, yet the style have been up-scaled using premium materials. This bag in particular utilizes a combination of grained leather and reflective dots materials on the outer, creating a stylish yet functional messenger bag. Inside, the bag features ample pockets and compartments for maximum storage. A comfortable three-point shoulder harness securely holds the bag in place while in motion. Head over to Bagjack online store to pick up this messenger bag right now.

Mid-Century MODERN is a boutique store focusing on design products and furniture made around the mid-20th century era. Apart from their retailing business, they actively produce their original items as well. One of the fans of the store happen to be Daisuke Obana of N.HOOLYWOOD, thus this collaboration project was born. These two pieces are from the Under Summit Wear line, which is the basic product range from N.HOOLYWOOD. Accenting the simple aesthetic is the multicolored Ribbons fabric by Herman Miller, designed by textile designer Alexander Girard. Both of these shirts are currently in stock at Mid-Century MODERN online shop and retail store. via: EYESCREAM

Mid-Century MODERN
5-12-6 2F Ei Building | Map
Minami Aoyama, Tokyo
Japan