Allyson Felix, an American sprinter and Olympic champion, wore a collaborative Nike creation to complete her Olympic Trial Runs -- generating a stir for the specially designed shoe release.
The 'Nike Gyakusou Zoom Superfly Flyknits' were made with the help of Jun Takahashi -- a renowned Japanese streetwear fashion designer. The Gyakusou products are generally met with excitement from sneakerheads, however the inclusion of them by Allyson Felix shows the immense functionality of the collaborative effort.
As HYPEBEAST reports, "the inspiration behind the entire line was founded on Takahashi’s love for running, and Gyakusou’s presence in the Olympic Trials solidifies that fact." Nike and Jun Takahashi created two different versions of the shoes for Allyson Felix -- who also contributed to its sleek design by offering her athletic perspective.
Sprinter-Made Athletic Shoes
Olympian Allyson Felix Had a Hand Creating a Special Nike Design
Trend Themes
1. Collaborative Footwear Design - Collaboration between fashion designers and athletes to create functional footwear for sporting events presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the athletic footwear industry.
2. Streetwear-inspired Athletic Apparel - Incorporating streetwear fashion into athletic apparel and footwear is a growing trend that presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the athletic fashion industry.
3. Athlete-influenced Design - Engaging athletes in the design process of athletic footwear and apparel presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the athletic industry, as their firsthand experience can lead to functional improvements.
Industry Implications
1. Athletic Footwear - Collaborative designs between fashion designers and athletes create functional footwear for sporting events presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the athletic footwear industry.
2. Athletic Apparel - Incorporating streetwear fashion into athletic apparel and footwear is a growing trend that presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the athletic fashion industry.
3. Sporting Goods - Engaging athletes in the design process of athletic footwear and apparel presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the sporting goods industry, as their firsthand experience can lead to functional improvements.