Frank Cooke and Saucony's Jazz 81 Collaboration Is Limited to 750 Pairs
Dropping exclusively at APB, the sneaker features premium materials, a rich story and a budget-friendly price point.
Designer Frank Cooke’s got quite the resume. He’s done everything from work at Jordan Brand to assist on a wide variety of high-hype sneaker projects and team up with Nigel Sylvester for a special GO x BBC ICECREAM collab. Now, Cooke (or Cooker, as he’s often known due to his Instagram handle) is back with another story-rich effort: a special take on Saucony’s classic Jazz 81 that’s releasing exclusively at APB.
Made as close to classic ’80s spec as possible and limited to 750 pairs, Cooke’s take on the Jazz 81 features a trio of suedes on its upper — black, purple and pink — all split with silver midfoot and heel overlays plus a dark grey mesh toebox. The most special detail, however, appears on the inside of the shoe’s packaging and on the insoles, both of which display a handwritten note that Cooke penned in seventh grade asking his parents for a pair of Jazz 81s. “This project means so much because Saucony has always provided a great product that remains relevant,” Cooke said. “For me, personal style does not always have to be displayed through high-end fashion or footwear. You should always make what you wear come to life, never let it make you.” Apart from the shoes, Cooke and Saucony also collaborated on hoodies and t-shirts that show how the brand’s name is pronounced in different cities around the USA.
You can expect the Frank Cooke x Saucony Jazz 81 to drop exclusively at APB’s stores in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Greenville, Columbia and Charleston as well as on the APB webstore with a MSRP of $100 USD, save for a few pairs that’ll be priced at $19.81 USD. Boys and girls enrolled in art and design programs in some of the cities APB has stores in will also receive free pairs through The Whitaker Project, the charitable arm of APB’s parent company The Whitaker GRP — which is also home to Social Status and A Ma Maniére.
For more footwear news, be sure to check out the latest installment of Sole Mates, a weekly Hypebeast series that spotlights notable individuals in street culture through the lens of their favorite shoes.