In an effort to bring together both cultural relevancy and design of sneakers, Nike created “White Dunk” exhibit in 2004 where an exclusive selection of Japanese artists freely reinterpreted the Nike Dunk into otherworldly creation of art. Fast forward 8 years later, the “White Dunk” project now gives way to the Nike Shoeshine Project 2012 for Nike Snowboarding. But similar to its predecessor, the premise of the Nike Shoeshine Project is also to bridge the cultural relativity and sneakers, or in this case, snowboarding boots. Just as in the golden creation done by Osamu Koyama and his firm Complete Technique, artist Marcus Tremonto fashioned his through the craft of light and optical illusion. Founder of creative studio TRELUCE in New York City, Tremonto approached his pair of Nike Zoom Force 1 with a futuristic perception of sports. Influenced by Gundam, James Bond, and sci-fi, Tremonto retraced the concept of speed and strength with “Box Boot” and “Rocket Boot”. On first glance, the two cartoonish designs appear to be clever post-production illustration on photo. However, the pieces are quite real, each handmade with custom graphics on electroluminescent paper. Part of the Nike Shoeshine Project 2012, a traveling art exhibition that will visit Munich, Germany in the coming months.

A few months back, Osamu Koyama, the designer behind jewelry label Complete Technique, mentioned briefly about the new ZF-1 snowboard boots from Nike Snowboarding and his participation in the upcoming Shoeshine Project 2012. The week, we finally get to see his fruits of labor. Named “American Eagle”, Koyama took his fond memories of Japanese anime “Saint Seiya” and manga “Berserk” as the central theme of the design. Then Koyama mold and shaped each golden plates into forms, with Zoom Force 1 in the middle. As a finishing touch, Koyama added an opal pendant at the boot’s front. Certainly regal enough for Nike, the Goddess of Victory, herself to wear.

Holiday 2011 marks Nike 6.0‘s second season building team-driven performance outerwear and they chose yesterday to launch their Holiday 2011 Outerwear Lookbook. Featuring Nike team riders Greg Bretz, Spencer O’Brien, Halldor Helgason and Ellery Hollingsworth wearing some of Nike 6.0‘s latest snowboarding jackets and pants as they crash a mountain house, the lookbook feels as if the riders got their hands on it right as it was going to print and marked the pages up with their own take on what was going on.

Nike 6.0 prides itself on giving all of the riders wearing their gear true functional performance, which simply means their apparel will be waterproof, breathable and include solid construction all day and all night throughout the season. Check out the some pictures of the gear after the jump and then flip through the Nike 6.0 Holiday 2011 Outerwear Lookbook for yourself.

Will you be ready? From the looks of Austin Smith, Danny Kass, Eric Jackson, Gigi Ruf, Jess Kimura, and the gang at Nike Snowboarding, they’re certainly ready. Weather advisories have not said there will be another “snowpocalypse” this winter, but as a preventive measure, Nike Snowboarding created a complete collection that will cover you from head to toes. Best of all, the designs aren’t completely snowboarding oriented. So you certainly can rock the Gore Juniper Jacket or the Bellevue 3-In-1 Jacket Vest on any occasions. For the newest styling or product this season, check out the collection lookbook with all Nike Snowboarding team members all hands on deck.

It was a natural progression when Nike decided to enter into the world of snowboarding a few years back. And while it kept its product line to only a few models, the emphasis always been on growing the franchise organically. A graduate introduction with the Zoom Force 1 snowboarding boots first, followed by the Kaiju and Danny Kass‘s signature, Zoom DK, this winter season will see the entry of Vapen. Harnessing the best design features of Kaiju (the last) and Zoom Force 1 (the tread), the Vapen takes full advantage of tried and true elements but offering them at fraction of the price. The Nike Snowboarding Footwear Collection for Winter 2011 is currently available at select snowboarding retailers as well as Nike retail locations like Nike Sportswear 21 Mercer.

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

The Nike Vapen Sessions, named after the brand’s snowboard boot, is a video trilogy chronicling the Nike snowboard team’s trip to Norway for a season ending session that begins with the crew traveling in traditional fishing boats to the beautiful Strandafjellet resort. With virtually no sleep, the crew hits the slopes at 3 am, thanks to Norway’s midnight sun. Throughout the following week, the team members, when they’re not waiting out weather delays, get the chance to show off their individual style and just relax and have fun. Check out all three videos after the jump.

The great thing about Nike 6.0, the action sports arm of the athletic shoe and apparel giant, is that the sub-brand produces functional garments that are perfect for everyday wear. A good example is the Shorebreaker Jacket, a water-resistant nylon shell constructed with a removable hood and featuring an athletic silhouette and a simple, attractive design. Ergonomic shoulder seams and striped ribbing at the cuffs and hem provide a snug, comfortable fit, while the $65 price point is an added bonus. The Nike 6.0 Shorebreaker Jacket comes in black or grey and is available now through Nikestore.com.

Snow season is approaching ever so quickly and Nike 6.0 has debuted their new snowboard boots. The Vaspen borrows design elements from the Mogan Mid 2 and it is suitable for the slopes and half-pipes. Synthetic leather uppers are equipped with midfoot strap and lace grommets for superior fit. Rubber outsole is designed to improve traction with heel and forefoot pivot points allowing added grip and board control. Extra perforation on the toe section provide enhanced ventilation and phylon midsole ensures comfort. The boots are available in Blue and Black versions at Nike 6.0 accounts worldwide.

Produced by: Dan Hwang
Written by: Poe

Its been an exciting year for Nike’s Active Sports Division. In addition to The Chosen, one of the more comprehensive and interactive campaign in years, the division’s Nike 6.0 branch just opened its second brand focus retail space in the posh Cloud Nine Shopping Mall at the heart of Shanghai. The grand opening was set over the weekend to coincide with Nike Festival of Sports and the arrival of its skateboard brand ambassador, Paul Rodriguez. Upon the formality and ribbon cutting ceremony with Nike exec Nicolas Zurstrassen and James Chen of UCCAL, P-Rod casually engaged with visitors and answered questions about his newest signature shoe, the Paul Rodriguez 5. In the meantime, the new Nike 6.0 will be open 7 days a week at Cloud Nine Shopping Center.

Nike 6.0 Shanghai
Cloud Nine Shopping Center
No. 1018 Chang Ning Road | Map
Changning District, Shanghai China

The subtle differences were there, just focus on the bass, but its there. Though both bands hailed from the newly designated Emo-Post Punk genre, Dead Country and Jimmy Eat World couldn’t be as different as, say, Nirvana and Pearl Jam at the height of Grunge. One was heavily in tune to a homogeneous bass with a heavy dose of dark emotion creep by. There was no hesitation with the other. From the start, it broadcasted its intent through rapid succession of guitar works. Dealt such vibe to the gathered audience that many audience members started to “body surf” through the crowd, to the displeasure of security. In the end however, the differences between both bands were not at all noticeable as fans hummed along happily after the Hurley sponsored concert ended.

Photography: Poe for Freshness

Asked anyone who lived long enough to recall U.S. Open of Surfing as the United States Surfing Championships and they will tell you how dire the situation was just a few years ago. Like the sport it represented, the event’s popularity tend to ebb and flow with the time. To avoid such repeats, Hurley and Nike decidedly to include a music component, not just a side venue to placate audience in attendance but a centerpiece like its skate, BMX, and surf counterparts. This also meant the task of booking some of the up and coming musical talents with a relevancy to action sports. The first to graced the U.S. Open of Surfing 2011 musical stage was The Sounds, post-punk band hailed from Sweden. Stayed intact since its establishment by a group of classmates some 13 years ago, the longevity of its success is largely due to its underground peculiarity and celebrity following from Dave Grohl to Pharrell. Another is the intensity of lead singer Maja Ivarsson and her shocking blond mane, which has many recalling similarities to punk music pioneers of the band Blondie.

Photography: Poe for Freshness

With hosts Vanessa Hudgens, with new haircut, and Tristan Wilds, the Hurley Walk The Walk fashion competition took over the U.S. Open Music Stage on Huntington Beach, California. Enshrouded by a wave of some 10,000 spectators, with 60,000 others viewing on numerous Jumpotrons, celebrity judges of various associations sat side-by-side in the selection of this year’s winner. Nike Action Sports division bestowed the honor to its rider Carissa Moore, Paul Rodriguez and Laura Enever. And on the Hurley side, founder Bob Hurley, Ryan Hurley, surfer Rob Machado, shared tips with supermodel Marisa Miller and actress Gillian Zinser (of tv-series 90210 fame).

Like that of U.S. Open of Surfing tournament scheme, Hurley’s Walk The Walk fashion show welcomed competitors from all 50 states and beyond. The prize, however, was more than just a moment of personal glory but an opportunity to facilitate your own school’s art and music program with a grant of $25,000, funding desperately needed during a time when municipalities are faced with difficult economical challenges, something not lost among some of the students participating in this year competitions. The process started close to a year ago with a prospective range of some 25+ high schools. Then, it narrowed down to 5 contestants: Grossmont of San Diego, Kellam of Virginia, Corona del Mar of Newport Beach, Toms River East of Jersey Shore, and finally Peterborough of Toronto, Canada. With a design theme and assistance from Hurley, each competitors meticulously created a presentation from the ground up, as would any professional fashion designers. Yet, there was a twist. In place of a pageantry of outfits and styles, Walk The Walk was more of an ostentation of school spirits. Each schools incorporated brilliantly all segments of high school life – the jocks, cheerleaders, to the band class member, biology club president, the “cool kids” and “not so cool”, each set aside their differences for a common goal. Though Grossmont High School walked away with the grand prize. each of the participants took home with more than just a conciliatory award but an experience of a lifetime.

Photography: Poe for Freshness