If you are a fan of sneakers and contemporary art, especially the visionary aesthetics of Takashi Murakami, you will not be disappointed by the latest innovation from the Japanese artist. The renowned creative has brought to life his first pair of sports shoes, inspired by one of the most beloved Japanese anime characters of all time: Mobile Suit Gundam, better known in Italy as Gundam, the armored mobile warrior. A robotic hero that has captivated entire generations thanks to his innovative character design, which has intrigued Murakami to the point of dedicating a pair of sneakers to him: called TZ BS-06, they are available exclusively on the artist’s official online store, Tonari no Zingaro, at the price of 64,800 yen, equivalent to 611 dollars. The artist managed every phase of the creation, from the initial sketches to the selection of the collaborator and producer: “In the past, I have collaborated with brands like Issey Miyake, Louis Vuitton, and Vans and, based on their requests, I have designed pattern models, packages, and packaging, but I have never been involved in the development of any product. This time, I really had the task of doing everything from scratch,” declared Takashi Murakami.
The eclectic artist delved into the sneaker business after the unexpectedly positive reception he received at the ComplexCon opening, a hybrid exhibition of streetwear, music, and pop culture that he participated in 2016: surprised by the fact that so many sneaker collectors expressed admiration for his work, Murakami thus decided to design and produce the TZ BS-06 shoe, to create an even stronger connection with this audience. And the sneakers, as announced by their name, could only be the “wearable” version of the giant military robots from the 80s anime: their design is particularly inspired by the Zaku, the bulky and heavily armed “mecha” that in the original Gundam series were tasked with defending the Principality of Zeon. A futuristic aesthetic that translates into an oversized pair of shoes with removable mini bags created in collaboration with Porter Yoshida & Co, Ltd, the brand known for the Tanker Helmet bags inspired by the US Air Force. Made in the typical nylon fabric for flight jackets, the mini bags are external pockets that perfectly reflect the military style of Zaku, with compartments similar to the tank limbs of the mobile suit, in military green-grey with white and orange accents. An unprecedented and pioneering creation that is sure to make a splash. And that we could define as the first “cargo sneakers.”
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