Stizo Custom Kicks used the work of artist Takashi Murakami as inspiration for the Murakami Dunk High. Murakami’s Superflat style and KaiKai Kiki art studio have blurred the lines between commercial design, anime and museum art in recent years. You can reach Stizo Custom Kicks at the designer’s MySpace page linked here.

The Superflat style is as much a social commentary as an art form, using exaggerated expressions and childlike figures to criticize modern Japanese culture. Stizo accurately depicts Murakami’s signature style with big-eyed, open-mouthed figures on the exterior sides of both sneakers.The interior sides of the Murakami Dunk Highs were left relatively unscathed as a calming contrast to the aforementioned tempest of images.

Instead of letting the interiors alone, Stizo Custom Kicks added a few touches that show his ability to implement balanced designs. The Nike swooshes on the interior sides are rainbows of purple, burgundy and olive green to match colors used on the exteriors. The string of silver stars set against View More Photos/Info

The tortoise is thought to symbolize long life and even immortality in Chinese mythology. There are many stories about divine creatures that guide the sages to everlasting life. It appears that Nike was inspired by this legend behind the modest yet long-lived animal, creating its own humble, yet promising works of art.

This striking pair features tortoise shell accents on the swoosh and upper which blend perfectly with the rest of the brown material. We have not heard of any other creation featuring these unusual materials, and were duely excited upon learning about the exciting concept. The end result seems to justify our expectations.

To compound the stylish appearance of this pair, the design incorporates some gold accents on the laces, with touches of white sprinkled at places to improve the power of the shoes. In all this is a flawless, yet modest design that can only be appreciated fully by the wisest of sneaker lovers.

Pick these up at Nordstrom.

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The uncomplicated Nike Air Pegasus 89 is featured in a simple colorway that uses a Swan mesh upper and side panels and a natural Grey suede and leather overlays. The Swoosh has a leather construction in medium Blue. The interior bears a Black lining and sockliner paired by Black laces. Should you find the Nike Air Pegasus 89 interesting, feel free to visit Purchaze for pricing details.

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A new set of Nike Terminator “Play Hard” high tops and low tops has been hitting Japan in some attractive colorways. The White patent leather upper was dressed up with Red and Green on Highs and Yellow and Blue on Lows having soles that match each of the featured colors. The big NIKE tag on the heel comes in a multiple of colors. These kicks are part of the 2009 Summer releases.

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Air Jordan has released the Air Jordan Ol’ School II, which present new colors as compared to the first model launched before. This newer version is presented in a lowtop form and is said to similar to JB with some modifications in the interim. The model has a tonal thread on top of the canvas panels.

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Increasing collaboration between different brands is the trend these days. The Japanese brand Deluxe and Vans have joined hands before, most notably in November, but we must admit that the pure perfection of this pair is a lot better than anything that they have created so far.

The black/white colorway of the pair is pure but powerful in its superior conception. The form of the shoe owes a lot to the classic Vans concept, but its reinforced with various touches of exclusive Deluxe creativity, as seen on the heel and the upper.

Collaboration is good for sneaker lovers, good for the industry, and good for us commentators. To be sure, seeing better designs created by the combined creativity of various masters is inspirational to writers too. These are expected to release in the near future, but there’s no official word on when. We’ll update you and fallen heroes of the past on the release. Via Hypebeast.

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