Did This Art Piece Just Preview a New Nike Kobe Silhouette?
PublishedQuick Facts
- Starting on the left, the Kobe 1 begins the mural, with the Kobe 2 through 11 making up the majority of the artwork. After the 11 is the Kobe AD, a sneaker released after Kobe’s retirement, but one pair at the end is brand new
- Looking like a fossil dug out of centuries of stone, the bottom of the shoe features a semi-transparent tread pattern with a peek into the midsole cushioning and support structure
- We don’t have any other info about this mystery Kobe shoe quite yet
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We’ve seen a lot of unique sneaker debuts over the years, but this could be one of our favorites. As the Nike Kobe line continues to expand with new colorways, PEs, and lifestyle collabs, we’ve been sitting with a steady run of legacy silhouettes for a while now. But if you look closely at a new piece from artist Troy Murray, it appears we’re getting a new Kobe silhouette soon.
The Art of the Sneaker Debut
Murray, aka TYP, has made a name for himself crafting unique 3D murals and creative canvases with sports themes, cutting baseballs in half and crafting delicate decorative hockey masks. Some of his latest work has brought sneakers into the mix, working with a collection of Nike Kobe shoes on a series of pieces.
On the TYP Kobe mural created for the recent Mamba Invitational, the artist lays out the Black Mamba’s Nike signature collection, with grey outsoles lined up on a grey stone canvas. Starting on the left, the Kobe 1 begins the mural, with the Kobe 2 through 11 making up the majority of the artwork.
After the 11 is the Kobe AD, a sneaker released after Kobe’s retirement, but one pair at the end is brand new. Looking like a fossil dug out of centuries of stone, the bottom of the shoe features a semi-transparent tread pattern with a peek into the midsole cushioning and support structure.
New Nike Kobe Details
Nike Kobe VP Dan Sunwoo shared that the outsole shown is from a project that was started prior to Kobe's passing. “Kobe started this project. We're committed to carrying it forward to the finish. We’re working on launching the first unfinished project we started with Kobe.” To stay up on all the latest news about the Nike Kobe collection, download the Sole Retriever App.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
