It was said that as the label he headed, NUMBER (N)INE, was winding down to its last few months, designer Takahiro Miyashita worked feverishly on the details of 3 footwear designs with CONVERSE, his last collaboration. The result was a rendition based on several different CONVERSE classics – the One Star and Chuck Taylor, whose influences exhibit in the overall silhouette and napped deer skin upper. But it was the Odessa, an obscure CONVERSE running sneaker from the 70s and 80s, that caught Miyashita’s attention when he searched through CONVERSE’s archive. Some 20 years ahead of its time, the CONVERSE Odessa’s asymmetrical lacing system bucked against traditional design and instead brought forth the aspect of runner comfort.
Originally scheduled to release as part of NUMBER (N)INE’s “farewell” collection in March, some unexpected circumstances delayed its release till quite literally today. With only 48 pairs allocated for the U.S. market, the NUMBER (N)INE x CONVERSE Odessa is available now exclusively through Aloha Rag New York and its online store.
Aloha Rag New York
505 Greenwich Street | Map
NY, New York 10013
TEL #: 212-925-0882
Everything was in place for its March launch till the unexpected announcement – the sudden closure of NUMBER (N)INE, the cutting edge label established by Japanese designer Takahiro Miyashita. Overnight, the final collaboration between CONVERSE and NUMBER (N)INE, the Odessa, became orphaned. Now, after 6 months of negotiation and distribution re-work, Miyashita’s vision of CONVERSE’s runner sneaker from the 80s is finally set to launch. Comprised of premium deer skin, frayed and deconstructed, the NUMBER (N)INE x CONVERSE Odessa was based on, ironically, Miyashita’s ideal for something “authentic and permanent”. And though the label no longer exist, the concept remains in Miyashita’s new label, The SOLO IST. In the meantime, the NUMBER (N)INE x CONVERSE Odessa is set to drop this Thursday, September 16th, at one retail locations only – Aloha Rag New York flagship in TriBeCa. With only 96 pairs produced, 48 pairs per colorways in black or beige. This will make the Odessa one of the more exclusive release of the season. To be available at Aloha Rag New York and its online store. Images via: STREEThing
Aloha Rag New York
505 Greenwich Street | Map
NY, New York 10013
TEL #: 212-925-0882
Release Date: September 16th (Thursday)
The best way to describe this week is to see it as a prelude to all the action there is to come for the warmer months. With a convoy of fresh releases, launches and previews from Nike, especially in the sneaker department, the week seems to urge all to gear up, head out and get a game on. One of the biggest launches comes in a blitzkrieg of Nike Air in the form of the Nike Air Attack Pack. Keeping in theme with the family of Air, Parra’s collaborative Nike Air Max 1 TZ had also dropped this week. Then, in the skateboarding department, Nike SB rider Omar Salazar finally released his signature model, and adidas Originals revealed its collaborative Hoth Skate Hi created hand in hand with Hong Kong’s CLOT and Star Wars. Getting of the streets and back onto the basketball court, Jordan Bin 23 Collection which traces Jordans from I through XXIII is now available for Jordan aficionados. While certain releases are celebrated and rejoiced, some are bittersweet, like the Number (N)ine For Converse collection which brings a sense of nostalgia back for fans of the Japanese label which folded last year. On a more fun note, UFC fighter Manny Pacquiao appeared on Jimmy Kimmel live and presented a more docile side with a karaoke performance while wearing the newly dropped Nike Sportswear Manny Pacquiao Destroyer Jacket. Aside from the Destroyer Jacket, other items created with the Filipino boxer (and perhaps soon to be Filipino congressman) in mind are the “Pride” T-Shirt and a customized N98 Jacket (of course, customized by Pacquiao himself). Taking a speedy turn, the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid is now freshly tweaked by NOBLESSE of Japan to include new performance elements. Last but not least, for those still suffering from Winter Olympics withdrawal (who can get enough of the adrenaline-pumped half-pipe competitions, right?) Winter X Games Europe just started this week and will last through the weekend. This is the first time the Winter X Games is held outside the United States and promises everything one loves about winter sports–speed, danger, and valiant injuries.
This announcement is slightly bittersweet as the NUMBER (N)INE For Converse comes both as a beginning and as an end, following the shutting down of the once beloved and coveted Japanese label. After the label took its final bow on the runway for its last show, “A Closed Feeling” (the Fall/Winter 2009 collection), it disbanded and the stores were set to close at the end of last year.
For fans of the label that did mourn the loss, the collaboration with Converse marks Takahiro Miyashita’s resurfacing in the scene and brings about a glad nostalgia. This collection includes Miyashita’s re-imagination of the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star for this season and the Converse Odessa for later this year.
For the Chuck Taylors, Miyashita wanted to create something “authentic and permanent”, and thus took a hybrid approach to the design. Crafted with a retro deconstructed look in mind, the shoes are made from premium dear skin with yellow shad suede upper. Miyashita incorporated Odessa’s system of asymmetrical lacing from the 70s and 80s into the design, almost creating something that is entirely new yet bearing an uncanny sense of familiarity for sneakerheads who know their Converse. Aside from the yellow All Star, there is also a One Star version also crafted from premium deer skin, but with white shad suede upper with a silver metallic star on the heel.
These shoes are, quite frankly, reminiscent of Miyashita’s NUMBER (N)INE style where everything was effortless, warm and comfortable like colorful knit cardigans and hacked-off cotton duck pants and pajama shirts that one might find from his or her grandfather’s closet.
The collection is due to release tomorrow on March 12 at select retailer such as Aloha Rag, Colette, Dover Street Market, Juice, Patta and UNDFTD.
After its storied 12 years, Japanese label NUMBER (N)INE is ending its operation for good. The label, led by designer Takahiro Miyashita, was avant-garde and progressive. A constant experimenter, pushing the definition of what contemporary fashion is. Apparently, the closing of NUMBER (N)INE was in the work for sometime. Its last show in Paris during the early part of this year was titled A Closed Feeling. Though the official press release did not explain reasons behind the decision. Many speculate that the world economy’s dire situation played a role.
NUMBER (N)INE – New York
431 Washington Street | 
Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL #: 212-431-8699
Converse Japan has just gotten together with Japanese brand, NUMBER (N)INE, to produce this Jack Purcell shoe. The entire upper of the shoe undergoes a makeover courtesy of NUMBER (N)INE which results in a high quality and knitted upper. The insole of the shoe features dual branding by both Converse and NUMBER (N)INE. This pair will be available at NUMBER (N)INE retailers to the tune of 15,750 YEN. Via: honeyee
More photos after the jump…
Here is another reason to love weekends: a rare opportunity to purchase a NUMBER (N)INE product at a discounted price. The trend setting label created by designer Takahiro Miyashita is having a rare sale starting this weekend at its flagship store in TriBeCa neighborhood of New York. Up to 40% off the regular price on selected merchandises. Definitely an event worth to check out if you are in the NYC area.
NUMBER (N)INE – New York
431 Washington Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL #: 212-431-8699
NUMBER (N)INE, out of Japan continues to develop it’s brand and elevating it’s name in the streetwear world by way of collaboration projects with the likes of visvim and now VANS. The Japanese brand has collaborated with VANS on three pairs of VANS Old Skools, all featuring nice tonal colored and fair isle graphics uppers with white outsoles. The shoes will drop on May 10th at select retailers. via: Honeyee
For this Spring, fashion designer Takahiro Miyashita’s venerable label, NUMBER (N)INE, collaborated with visvim, in creating a light weight jacket for the season. Made of Gore-Tex, the jacket is both breathable and highly water resistant. Rather than a mere color block design on the new outerwear however, both Miyashita and Nakamura (of visvim) decided to use the more colorful Fair Isle-like pattern in 3 colorways: black, brown, and beige. Of course, this itself is a challenge. Outside of military issued camouflage Gore-Tex uniforms, there were no other Gore-Tex outerwears with such a complex graphics such as Fair Isle. Fortunately both designers overcame the problem. A small triangular reflector can be found on the rear. Taped seams, with visvim’s logos, can be found on the interior. The 3 jackets are set to be available on April 12th at the retail price of JP¥ 134,400 (US$ 1,344).
Release Date: April 12th (Saturday)
More photos after the jump…
Japanese brand, NUMBER (N)INE, has just released it’s very own high top sneaker that uses the often used Converse All-Star model as a starting point for it’s design. The NUMBER (N)INE spin off is that it uses some premium detailing to complete the shoe, such as the medal lace holes, tweed like fabric for the upper, and padded tongue. The shoes are a part of NUMBER (N)INE’s “Birds” collection and are now available at various NUMBER (N)INE retailers as well as Cliffedge.
More photos below…
With Halloween just around the corner, designers are rolling out their “specialty” items to attract consumers. Check out this NUMBER (N)INE skeleton keychain, I believe you can clip it on your cell phone also. More pictures over at nitro:licious.
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