Various things inspire Nike designers. Everything from a waffle maker to geological formations of the earth has been used to tell stories on various themed Nike silhouettes. With endless creativity, there will always be infinite possibilities for unique sneakers. Looking ahead to Fall 2024, Nike is set to drop an all-new Dunk Low, drawing inspiration from traditional tattooing.
The art of tattooing goes back thousands of years, from when two Egyptian mummies from between 3351 and 3017 BCE were discovered in 2018 featuring figurative tattoos. Tattooing has been a tradition for many cultures and practices across the globe, with some having religious ties and cultural symbolism attached. Here in the 21st Century, tattoos are no longer looked at in a negative light. In fact, the mainstream has become accustomed to tattoos, with the art form significantly evolving from its negative connotations.
Nike looks to bring their art of tattooing storytelling to life on the Dunk Low Tattoo. This pair comes in a black, white, university red, university gold, and atomic teal colorway. The premium, all-leather upper is dominated by red and black hues, accented by green and yellow. A white Swoosh adorns the sides, breaking up the colors a bit. The perforated toebox features star fillers, while a fade detail on the collar represents standard coloring techniques in traditional tattooing. Other details include custom graphics on the inside tongue tag, insoles, and bottom of the translucent outsole, mimicking tattoo iconography.
The Nike Dunk Low Tattoo will release on September 2, 2024, through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Coming in men’s sizing, retail is set at $135. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Nike
Steve Jaconetta is the Head of Content based out of Connecticut. An encyclopedia for sneaker releases, he's covered the industry for over fifteen years. His stops have included Sole Collector, Complex, and StockX, to name a few. He considers the Air Jordan 11 Concord the greatest sneaker of all time and has a strong affection for 80s pop culture. Email: steve@soleretriever.com
