sacai Nike Cortez 4.0 “Grey” DQ0581-001

Credit Japanese fashion label sacai for ushering in the transformation era of shoe collaborations. Once relied on to concoct colorways on existing models, Nike’s collaborative partners are now challenged with completely modifying a sneaker without losing its spirit. sacai’s earliest executions on the Dunk High and Air Max 90, which stripped away the lacing aspect of the models, laid the groundwork for their game-changing LDWaffle, a design concept that has been thoroughly copied by the entire industry.

Their next collaboration release is the Nike Cortez; utilizing the same stacked approach, sacai seemingly adds one shoe on top of another, adding heavy layers non the heel and interior. The chiseled midsole design features their trademark lip at the heel, with further exaggerations appearing at the forefoot. Adding a performance aspect to the model is the visible Zoom Air unit at the fore-foot — a common detail seen in the brand’s running and basketball options.

A release date for the sacai x Nike Cortez 4.0 has not yet been revealed, so stay tuned for updates and see a first look at their grey colorway here.