Nike KD 12 "What The Aunt Pearl" Pulls Meaningful Details From Past Releases

Continuing a meaningful tradition that began in 2012, Kevin Durant and Nike Basketball have presented an “What The Aunt Pearl” edition of Durant’s KD 12. A heartfelt tribute to the Brooklyn Nets‘ forward’s late aunt, each “Aunt Pearl” sneaker is dressed in pink and created with assistance from the Nike-sponsored Kay Yow Cancer Fund. This began on the KD 4 and has continued ever since, but this time around things are a little different: the KD 12 “What The Aunt Pearl” pulls several details from past releases, making for a physical retrospective of the line’s progress.

With the exception of the KD 8, each Aunt Pearl model provides a piece of this new design. The collar foam’s pearl graphic is drawn from the KD 4, and the sock liner hits are from the KD 5. The bold rose print that wraps around the heel is live and direct from the KD 6, and the winged midfoot strap -— arguably the shoe’s most noticeable detail -— flew over from the KD 7.

The embroidered heel badge is from the KD 9, and the soft velour-like material on the collar, tongue and raised midfoot Swoosh is borrowed from the KD 10. Last but certainly not least, the marbled outsole is carried over from the KD 11. Aside from the veritable plethora of lovingly crafted details, the KD 12’s 5/8 cut, dynamic Flywire support and strobel-less midsole with full-foot Zoom Air cushioning are all left intact, ensuring that the high-performance ethos remains the same.

Although Durant is out for the entire NBA season as he works his way back from a ruptured Achilles suffered in last year’s NBA Finals, the KD 12 “Aunt Pearl” will still make its customary winter debut on December 27 via Nike SNKRS and select stockists. The MSRP is set at $150 USD.

Elsewhere in the world of the Swoosh, a former Innovation Kitchen employee is selling rare prototypes, samples and promo items on eBay.