Best Art Drops: 'KAWS:HOLIDAY' Merch, Parra x Nike & More

Artist collaborations not only spark innovative ideas but also bring together people of various unrelated backgrounds and interests. Take for instance the Destino animation between Walt Disney and influential surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. The project, which took 58 years to complete, attracted both fine art aficionados and pop culture fanatics.

These creative collisions continue to run rampant today, especially in the realm of fashion and footwear. One of the more standout examples is Parra‘s latest collaboration with Nike; the worlds of contemporary art and footwear collide, triggering exciting creative advancements to inspire more successful partnerships that attract a diverse audience.

Read on to learn more about this week’s best art drops and let us know your favorites.

KAWS:HOLIDAY Exclusive Merchandise to Launch This Thursday

KAWS

Release Date: July 19 at DING DONG Takuhaibin, CLOT and LOTTE World Mall in Seoul, South Korea.
Release Price: TBC

KAWS, LOTTE and AllRightsReserved are gearing up to unveil the Brooklyn-based artist’s 28-meter floating figure on Seoul’s Seokchon Lake. To celebrate the KAWS:HOLIDAY installation, the cohorts will soon release accompanying merchandise, comprised of apparel, pool-ready items, and accessories. Official pricing details have yet to be confirmed, but look out for an exclusive release this July 19 at 10 a.m. HKT.

Parra’s Latest Nike Collaboration Drops This Saturday

Nike

Release Date: July 21 at select Nike Sportswear retailers and Nike SNKRS
Release Price: $150 USD (Air Max 1) and $140 USD (Air Zoom Spiridon)

Parra’s newest Nike collaboration is set to drop this week. The partnered offering consists of the beloved Nike Air Max 1 and Zoom Spiridon silhouettes, as well as select apparel. Both sneakers are wrapped with the Amsterdam artist’s ubiquitous color palette of red, white and blue tones alongside minimalist graphics. Both models will be available for purchase starting July 21. Check out more footwear drops here.

Kadir Nelson Creates Summertime City Illustration for The New Yorker

The New Yorker

Release Date: Available now at select retailers
Release Price: $9 USD

Acclaimed African-American artist Kadir Nelson created a new vivid illustration for The New Yorker‘s latest issue. Entitled Summertime City, the artwork portrays children playing near an open fire hydrant in Harlem. The artist “has often turned to that borough’s streets for inspiration, with past covers featuring a game of stickball and a father and daughter sharing a moment on a stoop,” said the publication. Find the issue at select retailers Stateside and head over to The New Yorker‘s official website to learn more.

Meguru Yamaguchi & UNIQLO Connect on Active Wear Capsule

Meguru Yamaguchi

Release Date: Available now in Japan with a worldwide release on August 13 at UNIQLO stores stateside
Release Price: $15-$40 USD

Meguru Yamaguchi is the latest artist to collaborate with Japanese retail giant UNIQLO. The partnered capsule features limited active-wear spanning all-over printed graphic T-shirts, shorts, and caps. Yamaguchi’s brushstroke motifs embellish all items that will soon drop in dark blue and tonal black options. An official release will commence on July 16 in Japan with a Stateside launch to follow on August 13.

Prodip Leung & How2work’s Latest Plants of Gods II Terrarium Sculpture

How2work

Release Date: Available now at WOAW Store
Release Price: $450 USD

Hong Kong artist and LMF bassist Prodip Leung once again joined forces with toy manufacturer How2work on a new terrarium sculpture, dubbed Plants of Gods II. The piece showcases the artist’s affinity for extraterrestrials and profound inspiration from the Hindu god Shiva. It portrays a Vitruvian man-like figure sitting cross-legged with a section reserved for a plant. It dons a predominantly matte grey tone alongside a golden hue on the polystone skull. The sculpture is available now in an edition of 100 pieces.