air force 1

bespoke: the gift.

The Gift.  This was an exclusive Bespoke made by 21 Mercer in 2011.  Only 12 pairs or so were made and 4 were given out via a twitter competition that poised some tricky questions.  The shoe has some incredible details and its hard to translate them in pictures.  Definitely a shoe that must be seen in person to give you the full effect.

The upper is draped with a dark denim with some nice contrast stitching. Cork backtab with a cork midsole sitting on top of a necessary gum outsole.  Even some red pivots on the outsole.  Suede swooshes and glove leather for the insole.  The liner is constructed of an almost foil material that gives you a feel of wrapping paper.  “Merry Christmas” is lasered all over the sock liner.  There is a “gift” embroidered on the heal of both shoes and “the gift” again is symbolized on the deubre.  The top eyelets have a gold color and it really ropes up the holiday themed shoe.

Safe to say, I am extremely pleased to have these in my collection.  A true gift.

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AF1 2003 Mark Smith “Laser Pack”

One of my favorite pairs.. 2003 Laser designed by Mark Smith.  A beautiful lasered pattern throughout the brown upper with a sail mid-sole and dark brown out-sole.  A nice added bonus is the fat laces that skirt across the eye-stay.

The upper is made with a plush leather and is included on the tongue.  The insole is so comfortable that it feels like you’re wearing pillows. Definitely in my top 10 AF1’s and a pair I recommend to any aficionado.

Year:   2003

Color:  Medium Brown/Sail-Eldorado

Style #: 308430-221

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AF1 2006 Year of the Dog.

These are one of the renditions of the Year of the Dog that came out in 2006.  A lot more subtle than its Hyperstrike brother, but still boasts boldness that abides by Tibetan tradition.

The primary influence on this shoe was shaped around the Tibetan Mastiff.  The emblem of the foxing is to resemble the ancient breed.  Its colorful design on the backtabs is paying ode to Tibetan jewelry and garments.  Two-toned red upper fitted with a beautiful orange insole with a black collar trim.  Red stitching across the white mid and a red outsole.  The blue laces adds a nice touch as well.

I’ve worn this pair quite a lot and they still look great.  Very durable; in comparison to the Hyperstrike version which is already starting to yellow & has half the wears of this pair.

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AF1 2001 Hong Kong.

 

2001 Hong Kong.  This was part of the infamous co.jp series.  I didn’t like this colorway initially, but when you see them in person and/or feet.. game over.

Deep forest green upper.  Burgundy laces, tongue underside collar & backtab stitching.  Stitched swoosh outline.. cmon man!   Lastly, if  you noticed the orange no-see sock peeking from my picture, you know exactly what it pays ode to..  Glad I have a pair.

 

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Year:       2001

Color:      Deep Forest/White

Style #:   624040 311