Spencer Badu, best known for his uniform-inspired fashion label that questions structure and convention, is getting his first collaboration in the footwear world. Marking his debut is a project with HOKA, which has tapped the Canadian-Ghanaian designer Spencer Badu to deliver a HOKA Elevon X inspired by his lens, grounded in identity, movement, and diasporic heritage.
Badu approached the collaboration with both reverence and intent. “Your first shoe comes with a lot of pressure,” said Badu. “I wanted to create something that reflected the story behind my brand. We design for movement, physical and emotional, and this collaboration captures that. It’s a representation of the journey we take to understand ourselves and our roots.”
The result is a bold yet purposeful take on the Elevon X. The silhouette features a vivid yellow upper contrasted with meaningful iconography that honors Badu’s Ghanaian lineage. Symbolic touches include the Cowrie Shell—historically used as currency on the Gold Coast—and two Adinkra symbols: Fawohodie (representing freedom) and Nyame Dua (symbolizing divine protection and spiritual growth). Each detail nods to liberation and discovery, profound in Badu’s design philosophy and personal narrative.
Images via HOKA
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
