HYPEBEAST Weekly Staff Picks - May 23rd

Here’s a look at this week’s staff picks… Jason of course picks Jahan Loh’s Cherry Pop exhibition, while the rest of us all run with footwear. Season sides with Eley Kishimoto, while Kevin and Eugene look to the Nike Vandal and Puma Endangered Species pack respectively.

Kevin – Nike Vandal Supreme

For my pick of the week, I have chosen this really beautiful Nike Vandal in this silver colorway. What attracts me to this shoe is everything about this shoe. From the materials used on the upper to the vintage look of the sole, this sneaker has it all. The colors work so well together as well. A quality sneaker (and fashionable) in my opinion.

Jason – Cherry Pop Exhibition by Jahan Loh

My pick of the week is the Cherry Pop Exhibition by Jahan Loh. Big fan of the artwork that is a culmination of an interesting concept and great execution. He shows both a 2-D and 3-D side with portraits and sculptures. I’m excited to see what else this talented artist has planned.

Season – Eley Kishimoto Sneaker

I picked the Eley Kishimoto as my pick mostly because of the “Flash” print. We’ve seen the Chuck Taylor profile re-done so many times, but the Flash print really offers but a bold and subtle design at the same time (if that makes sense). Maybe it comes down to the brash print offset by the simple black and white tones.

Eugene – Atmos x Puma Endangered Species Pack

Although nothing I would be caught dead wearing, I do appreciate the interesting relationships something as trivial (…yes trivial) sneakers can create. The addition of a National Geographic photographer in Mitsuaki Iwago to the table with the goal of wildlife conservation awareness sometimes just makes you step back and think WTF, this came about from a pair of sneakers. But I do have a strong gut feeling that most if not all the people that will snatch these up don’t really give two shits about the environment and animal conservation. Mixing consumerism and anything environmental always dawned on me as mixing oil and water. The illogicality of trying to promote reduced consumption doesn’t go in hand WITH consumption. I’m not preaching though, however “intelligent” consumerism with various brands even Nike with the Considered line have brought forth the notion of more enviro friendly consumerism. This topic is really too broad to just be covered in this measly staff pick post… back to the shoes!

The aesthetically representation of each animal from memory seems quite good and I really wouldn’t mind a pack to use solely as a display piece in some cheap ass IKEA display case.