ANTA Design Director Jared Subawon Shares Details and Process Behind Kyrie Irving’s ANTA Kai 1

Jared Subawon, Design Director for ANTA US, has worked across the footwear industry, most notably as the main designer behind Kyrie Irving's signature sneaker, the ANTA Kai 1. Sole Retriever was fortunate enough to sit down with Jared and discuss his journey in the footwear industry, his transformative experience at ANTA, and the story behind the creation of NBA star Kyrie Irving’s signature sneaker.

The Early Days: Miami to Detroit

Jared's passion for footwear design was ignited in Miami, Florida. He attended Design and Architecture Senior High, a school known for producing top-tier designers. Reflecting on his roots, Jared shares, "It is definitely a school where a lot of alumni are in the footwear industry today. People that work for Nike, adidas, Puma, you name it. So really, my journey started there." Duane Lawrence, a notable designer and alumni, introduced Jared and his friends to the world of footwear design. "He was actually the first designer for Dwyane Wade when he was at Converse," Jared recalls. Today, the two are co-workers at ANTA.

After high school, Jared pursued his passion at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. "My first footwear internship was at Wolverine Worldwide in Rockford, Michigan," he recounts. Alongside Wolverine Worldwide (who owns Saucony, Merrell, Keds, and more), Jared spent time at Under Armour and New Balance, paving the way for his transition to ANTA.

Transitioning to ANTA

Jared’s transition to ANTA marked a significant shift in his career. The fast-paced environment at ANTA was a stark contrast to the traditional design processes he had experienced at other companies. At ANTA, designs move from concept to completion in six months, a testament to the brand’s dynamic approach.

"ANTA is more on a fast pace, more than any other brand I've ever worked for. Usually, when you're designing a shoe, they're probably 18 months out. For us, we're more like six months out," Jared explains. This rapid development cycle proved especially beneficial in courting Kyrie Irving.

Designing Kyrie Irving’s Signature Sneaker with ANTA

Working with Kyrie Irving was a career-defining moment for Jared. From the outset, ANTA’s goal was to create a shoe that resonated with Kyrie’s heritage and personal story. Jared and his team researched Kyrie's background extensively, incorporating elements of his Native American heritage and personal journey into the design narrative.

"Kyrie was actively involved in the design process. From the beginning, when we pitched the storytelling and the story of what we could do, we intentionally got his feedback. We tied in his Native American heritage and his family's story," Jared recalls.

"We wanted to pitch the story to him fully, intending to get his feedback or even twist the whole story itself," Jared explains. “Of course, really trying to find his family, really trying to tell his mother’s story, his story of him growing up, basically trying to shoot it like a movie.”

He continued, "When we pitched everything to him, he loved it. He paused in silence, and he’s like, 'You guys hit it right on the head.'”

The Design Process: Challenges and Innovations

The creation of the ANTA Kai 1 was both challenging and rewarding. Jared and his team went through three rounds of samples to perfect the design. Kyrie’s input was critical in addressing the need for mid-foot lockdown and a comfortable fit around the ankle. The introduction of the mid-foot strap became a standout feature, paired with a custom font that evokes the sense of ancient scripture.

"We went through three rounds of samples to perfect the design. Kyrie’s input was crucial, particularly in addressing the need for mid-foot lockdown and a comfortable fit around the ankle. The mid-foot strap became a standout feature," Jared notes.

One of the most memorable moments for Jared was when Kyrie selected his design from a pool of concepts. “Every single designer on the team definitely threw down for him. We had over 10-15 concepts.” Jared also remembers the moment Kyrie chose his design in Gravity Sketch, a 3D VR design tool, “He chose mine. He was like, ‘Yeah, we could elaborate more on this design and really try to implement every single detail of what you guys talked about, the story, into this shoe.’ He even caught me off guard because I wasn’t expecting him to pick mine.”

Jared’s team faced several challenges during the design process of the first samples. "Kyrie thought they looked a little too busy, like he didn’t know where to look at on the shoe. I totally agreed with him. There’s not a focal point on the shoe," Jared explains. After receiving this feedback, they toned down the design, adding a strap and refining the overall aesthetic.

Hidden Details and Colorways

On the ANTA Kai 1, you’ll find subtle tributes to Kyrie’s family, such as a shout-out to his mother on the sole. The Artist on The Court colorway, with its rich purple hue representing loyalty, was chosen as the debut colorway due to Kyrie’s personal preference.

"Definitely celebrating more of the family. On the bottom, on the rubber, we had a shout-out to his mom. We put it very small in certain details. Really trying to play with, of course, certain codings like speed, agility, and focus. Coding that's supposed to tie back to his attributes and all the things that build up Kyrie and his game," Jared shares.

The design for the Artist on The Court colorway was not just a random choice. "Kyrie’s favorite color is purple, and that represents loyalty. We wanted to portray that as being the first colorway because he really put it on us like, 'Hey, man, we really got to implement purple,'" Jared explains.

The Kai 1 Speed

As of this writing, the public has only had a shot at the ANTA Kai 1, though ANTA also introduced the Kai 1 Speed, a lighter and more streamlined version of the original, during the NBA Finals. Key differences include the absence of the forefoot strap and the addition of a TPU shank for enhanced stability. The design retains the core storytelling elements, ensuring continuity across the Kyrie line. "The speed is definitely a little lighter on the foot. It's definitely more lateral in the foot. There's a TPU shank that's actually in the midfoot for more stability," Jared explains.

In early June, it was announced that Kyrie had signed his father, Drederick, as a signature athlete to the Kai line. Jared also confirmed with us that the sneaker is intended for Dred and that we can expect colorways of this model in the future.

The Future of Sneaker Design

While Jared was tightlipped about the future of the Kai line, we discussed a boarder vision of the future of the footwear industry. Jared envisions sneaker design becoming increasingly futuristic, with bold technologies and out-of-the-box silhouettes becoming the norm. "I see everything looking so futuristic, like as if you're living on Mars," Jared emphasizes the importance of innovation in sneaker design. "We want to be a leading company, not just a following company.” He continued, “We want to design something where the trendsetters, the top sneakerheads, and even influencers are going to be talking about this."

Jared’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring footwear designers. He emphasizes the importance of seeking feedback, embracing criticism, and developing a unique style. "Try to reach out to designers as much as possible, get them to look at your portfolio, and be safe with criticism. Always keep in touch with people and try to find your own style. Your style makes you different from everybody else," Jared advises.

ANTA's Vision and Future

Jared and his team advocate for more daring and trendsetting designs, aiming to influence the industry rather than follow it. While there are cultural considerations to balance, ANTA is committed to pushing boundaries and setting new standards in sneaker innovation. Jared stated, "Definitely look out for us to have more of a presence here in the US and globally.”

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Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com