Chitose Abe and Jean-Paul Gaultier Craft Special sacai x Nike Vaporwaffle

Back in 2020, sacai founder Chitose Abe was named the first guest designer to take over Jean Paul Gaultier‘s famed couture line, a debut that has been delayed almost a full year by the coronavirus. Now, with a potential debut for Abe’s JPG couture on the horizon, we’ve been given a sneak peek of a special take on sacai and Nike‘s Vaporwaffle that’s been crafted especially for the occasion.

Though it may use a simple black and white color scheme and familiar double-stacked midsoles plus doubled up Swooshes — all in line with one of the Vaporwaffle’s release colors — this couture-focused sneaker is otherwise a wild collage of materials, stitching and embellishment. Uppers boast nylon, suede and leather, all split by Air Footscape Woven-like black or white stitching that runs across the midfoot and toebox.

The collar is elevated as well, making for a high-top cut reminiscent of classic Swoosh models like the Terminator or the Court Force. Though the doubled-up tongues return, they add JPG branding on their tags for a little extra touch of flair. Inside the shoe, the insole has been altered as well, showing off a white and blue striped detail for a nod to a signature Gaultier motif.

As couture garments are not usually made available for purchase, it’s quite possible that this high-top-meets-moc-meets Vaporwaffle design will never see a retail release. However, you will be able to catch it in action during Abe’s first Gaultier runway — which is tentatively set to occur sometime in 2021.

Elsewhere in the world of footwear, Rick Owens and Converse have revealed a square-toed TURBODRK Chuck 70.