mastermind Japan Elevates the Gravis Tarmac & Rival With Bold Branding
Luxurious iterations of two classic skate silhouettes.
mastermind Japan has teamed up with heritage skate brand Gravis for elevated re-works of the Tarmac and Rival. With four makeups in total — two Tarmacs and two Rivals — each dressed in mastermind’s signature mix of black and white or a sporty combo of white and red, the co-branded collection provides luxurious takes on old-school skate staples.
First up is the Tarmac, a classic blocky skate shoe with a full leather upper. Bold mastermind text branding and signature skull-and-crossbones motifs reach across the midsoles, the latter of which is also amplified on the heel for a dash of sinister style. Perforated quarter panels enhance breathability, Gravis branding appears on each tongue and insoles are split between both brands’ logos to finalize the look.
Next is the Rival, a hybrid design that combines skate shoe sensibilities with a basketball-esque silhouette. Uppers mix leather with a breathable mesh piece towards the eyestays, directly under which sits a mastermind text hit — contrasting on the black pair, tonal on the white/red pair. Skull-and-crossbones graphics take a place on the heel, and unlike its counterparts the black/white colorway brings a third hue into play on the Gravis-branded heel and tongue tabs. Sport-geared outsoles finalize the look.
The mastermind Japan x Gravis Tarmac & Rival are each priced at ¥23,000 JPY (approximately $214 USD), and will release at retailers like BILLY’s Tokyo on March 21.
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