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Brand: Nike
Model: ISPA Drifter Split “Indigo Dye”
Release Date: August 31
Price: $550
Buy: Nike SNKRS Japan
Editor’s Notes: Nike’s approach to its ISPA (Improvise. Scavenge. Protect. Adapt.) subdivision is one of exploration and risk-taking, deconstructing and reshaping modern footwear design. Since the line’s inception, its design team has created divisive, innovation-driven silhouettes that are a far throw from the traditional shapes of the Air Max 1 or Air Jordan 4.
Going against the grain with an experimental design language has garnered ISPA the Kanye West co-sign on several occasions, giving particular praise to the 2020 ISPA Road Runner. The latest elevation from the team behind the Road Runner is a premium take on the similarly tooled Drifter Split.
First released in 2020, the Drifter Split shares some key design elements of the Kanye-approved Runner, such as the exaggerated midsole, hightop silhouette, and tabi toe. Where the two differ is the Split’s notably more streamlined, reductive midsection and fabrication choices. The lightweight suede, cork, and natural hemp create a raw aesthetic and the perfect canvas for BUAISOU’s premium indigo dye treatment.
World-renowned for its dye techniques, Japanese dye masters BUAISOU operate with an ethos similar to ISPA. Each corner of production, from the cultivation of the raw indigo to the dyeing process, is done in-house. Through the combination of these forward-thinking design teams, each hand-dyed pair of the Drifter Split will be distinct and marked with a unique serial number. Given the premium approach undertaken, it’s probably safe to assume that these will release in limited quantities.
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