In picking up some of this cultural baggage in the path to its release, the "Habibi" Dunk came to look more like a product from the UAE. It is complicated, coveted, and caught up in a long history of overlapping cultures. The retailer, who asked to remain anonymous out of sensitivity to their relationship with Nike, pointed out what they believe are errors in the approach of the "Habibi" Dunk. Fittingly, the sneakers released first at Frame on Dec. 2, coinciding with UAE National Day. In 2019, the Nike Air Max 720 inspired a 50,000-signature-strong petition complaining that the logo on the sneaker's outsole resembled the Arabic script for "Allah." Click here to learn more. With the recent Nike Dunk & SB Dunk's popularity rise, here's a full rundown of the upcoming release dates you don't want to miss out on. But the criticisms do reveal how hype items in the Middle East can become entangled in tradition, politics, and religion. Founder and Editor in Chief. Image via Nike Image via Nike Image via Nike Image via Nike Image via Nike The shoe was dubbed the "Habibi" Dunk, its moniker an Arabic term of endearment that means "my love." Following the release of the Dunk Low 'Plum' earlier this year, we're back with another Japan-exclusive style from 2001. No leaked photos have surfaced, but you can expect the Nike Dunk Low to features varsity of prints and patterns celebrating African American heritage. While bakeries punctured croissants with miniature flags and beaches were dotted with bigger ones, Frame's Dunk arrived as another red, white, black, and green symbol of the holiday. The criticisms about its snafus have been mostly whispered about. The two tongues, one black, the other white, are meant to show "the equality and unity between men and women." Following the release of the Dunk Low ‘Plum’ earlier this year, we’re back with another Japan-exclusive style from 2001. One of the models that will be included in the lineup is the popular Dunk Low. Like so many products and people of Dubai, it comes with a complicated story of origin and identity. The ‘Veneer’ colorway has long been sought for its eclectic hues and soft textures—and now, it’s back in the mold of the original, bathed in premium suede and … For others, the sneaker falls short of being a true representation of design by the Arab world. The skateboarding part is important—Ahn hopes he can use the shoes as a vehicle to nurture the skate scene there. The style is reportedly releasing in November. "Now that I understand the significance behind it and how important it really is to the region, it might be the first SB I'll probably cop," says Tareq Q, a blogger from Kuwait who has a deep collection but was never into Nike SB. Dressed in a Black, Hyper Cobalt, and White color scheme. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of these cookies. It is intended as a love letter to Dubai. Earlier this fall, Adidas issued a name change for certain Yeezy sneakers that were named after Islamic angels, asking stores carrying the shoes in the Middle East to relabel their boxes. The Nike Dunk Low “Hyper Cobalt” will be joining a massive Dunk Low lineup that will be releasing throughout 2021. In 2001, Nike first introduced the new Pro B line of the Dunk Lows, which included new materials and thicker lacers, specific to skateboarders. Release Date: November 10, 2020. In the tinkering, more and more details connecting the sneaker to its home city were added. Following the release of the Dunk Low 'Plum' earlier this year, we're back with another Japan-exclusive style from 2001. One sneaker blog in Qatar called the "Habibi" Dunk a flawed, "politically restricted" design and decided to create a similar "Free Palestine" custom sneaker as an alternative. Nike Dunk Low BHM Release Date Look for the Nike Dunk Low “BHM” to release sometime during February 2021 at select retailers and Nike.com. WHERE TO BUY. Distribution for the "Habibi" Dunk was a point of contention for customers in Qatar, the only GCC country that couldn't participate in Frame's release of the shoe. In this view, the "Habibi" Dunk comes from Dubai but is not native to it. Where to buy and how to cop the Nike Dunk Low SP Veneer DA1469-200, releasing Nov 10, 2020. The hype of the Nike Dunk Low won’t be dying down anytime soon, as 2021 colorways of the classic silhouette continue to surface online. He was there for a Nike event called the Club 58 Summit, a meeting of SB retailers from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa that featured a Shark Tank-style competition where shop owners got to pitch ideas for their own SB collaborations. The most infamous sneaker of this sort was the Nike Air Bakin' from 1997, which had a flame icon on its heel also resembling the word "Allah" in Arabic. They have not stopped it from being a sellout sneaker that's going for 400 percent over its original retail price on the secondary market. ... A First Look at Supreme's Upcoming Nike SB Dunk Low FW20 Collaboration. While already having a deconstructed, DIY aesthetic, Nike will be adding more unique details and features to their Air Zoom Type SE rendition. The complexity and duality of the "Habibi" SB Dunk Low, with respect to the culture it draws from and questions of its origin, may be deeper than Nike or Frame intended. Given that Ahn first designed the Frame Dunks around the same time, it's hard to imagine Sacai's Nikes weren't an influence. After an already extensive set of leaks and reveals, the Nike Dunk Low is still surfacing in more colorways, this time an overt homage to the iconic color palettes of past. The "Habibi" Dunk went through many forms from that rendering to its retail release this month. Release Date: November 11, 2020. Click here to learn more. Nike SB's 'Chunky Dunky' Ben & Jerry's Collab Explained, Younes Bendjima Brings Algeria to New Balance, The Grateful Dead, Nike SB, and Bill Walton at the Cosmic Crossroads. For some sneaker collectors in the UAE and surrounding countries, it is a moment too big to ignore. The shoe is a collaboration between Nike SB (Nike's skateboarding division) and Frame, a trio of businesses in the Dubai Design District that consists of a boutique, a ramen shop, and a cafe. First Look: Nike SB Dunk Low Pink Pig Nov 23, 2020 Expected to release early on next year, here is a first look at the Nike SB Dunk Low Pink Pig. The doubling motif is a familiar one, popularized by Japanese brand Sacai's LDWaffle Nike collaboration that debuted in early 2019. Nike reached an agreement with the Council on American-Islamic Relations over the Air Bakin' shoe that year, recalling around 38,000 pairs and diverting another 30,000 from markets in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other countries. Getting your own sneaker can literally put your store on the map, transforming it from local spot to destination. It's a dream scenario for owners like Ahn, who sometimes spend years trying to convince Nike their clout is sufficient to warrant a collab. Nike Dunk Low SP Veneer release links, release dates, and raffle info. The retail price tag has yet to be announced. Nike Dunk Low SP “Veneer”. The pearl divers of Dubai now have their own sneaker. SBD provides millions of monthly visitors with sneaker updates on Jordan, Nike, Adidas, plus much more. Nike Dunk Low Medium Curry Release Date Look for the Nike Dunk Low PRM “Medium Curry” to release sometime in 2021 at select retailers and Nike.com. Maybe it makes sense that the first big sneaker for a city filled with expats was designed by one. Release Date: November 9, 2020. Off-White Nike Dunk Low Black Release Date. He designed the "Habibi" Dunk as an homage to his adopted home. “BHM” Black History Month branding will also be present most likely on the tongues and heels. This Nike Dunk Low features a Black leather base with Blue leather overlays and Swooshes. It had two Swooshes sitting on top of each other, two tongues, and a red, white, black, and green colorway nodding to Frame's home country. The 'Veneer' colourway has long been sought after for its eclectic hues and soft textures—and now, it's back in the mould of the original, bathed in premium suede and shades of Veneer, deep purple and Autumn Green. The conversation doesn't end at the sneaker's design, either. The sneaker started in Amsterdam, where Ahn first designed it in early 2019. The original intention to write "Nike" on the heel was a potential disaster avoided—the word's Arabic transliteration can be read as the past tense of "fuck." The shoelaces are inspired by the shemagh headdress, but use a houndstooth print instead of a shemagh pattern. Sneaker Bar Detroit has quickly become one of the top sneaker sources on the web. . The Frame x Nike SB Dunk Low "Habibi," dressed in the UAE's national colors and crammed with details connecting it to the country, is the Arabian Peninsula's first major export in hype footwear. Recent times have seen a spotlight focused on the Dunk, with the silhouette appearing in a plethora of make-ups ranging from groundbreaking collaborations to heritage-inspired retros. The idea of being a local there is a fuzzy one anyway—even non-Emiratis who were born and raised in the country aren't guaranteed citizenship. The Frame x Nike SB Dunk Low "Habibi" went global on Saturday, Dec. 5, releasing at SB accounts worldwide to the same kind of fanfare that has accompanied other specialty Dunks in this year of renewed interest in the retro silhouette. Nike SB Dunk Low PRM “Elephant”. Frame was founded as a "Japanese lifestyle culture shop" in 2017 by Peter Ahn, an expat from South Korea. But he says he did not have that shoe in mind when creating his. It is a reversal of the traditional flow of sneaker ideas between the Middle East and the rest of the world, a rare moment for the region to give something of its culture through shoes. Style Code: DA1469-200. Stay tuned for first looks to come during the next couple months. The "Habibi" Dunk is Arabic in name, but it's hard to see it as an Arab sneaker. This design follows a similar design aesthetic as seen on the Air Force 1 Low Travis Scott Cactus Jack, featuring an array of materials and prints. Nike processes information about your visit using cookies to improve site performance, facilitate social media sharing and offer advertising tailored to your interests. Travis Scott teamed up with Nike SB to release his first official skate shoe, the Nike SB Dunk Low Travis Scott (Regular Box), now available on StockX. Advertise With Us || Email: info[at]sneakerbardetroit.com. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. UPDATE (12/05): Nike has confirmed that Cliver's "Holiday Special" SB Dunk Low is releasing on Dec. 19 via SNKRS for $110. The Frame x Nike SB Dunk Low "Habibi," dressed in the UAE's national colors and crammed with details connecting it to the country, is the Arabian Peninsula's first major export in hype footwear. The timeless silhouette of the Dunk lends itself to unique colour-blocking, leading to a number of notable colourways over the model's decades-long reign. The Nike SB Dunk is a skateboarding-centric version of the Nike Dunk that first released in March of 2002. The UAE cut ties with the country in 2017 after a diplomatic crisis and has been engaged in a boycott since. The first sample used canvas for its base and thick cushioning in the tongues. But its roots aren't entirely Emirati. Maybe this first step had to be a somewhat surface-level one, despite the depth that Dubai, the Gulf, and the Arab world have to offer. A first look at the Nike SB Dunk Low Atmos Elephant' colorway surfaces on social media. A new Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low collection is reportedly releasing in early 2021 with the styles referencing the Supreme x SB Dunk High from 2003. news release dates At the competition in Amsterdam, he had just a couple of hours. If its greatest shortcoming is lack of local input, it might be at home in a country where Emirati nationals make up only about 10 percent of the population. To extend the look's legacy, we now introduce the Dunk Low Disrupt—a ladies-only, modern take on the legendary design that uses a platform stance and exaggerated proportions to create a uniquely feminine feel. Style Code: BQ6817-009. Nike Dunk Low UNLV Release Date Look for the Nike Dunk Low “UNLV” to release on January 14th at select retailers and Nike.com. Now featured in … Where is it from? "The shemagh is something that many Arabs share within their subcultures, so to see the authentic pattern disregarded was a bit hurtful," the retailer says. Look for both Off-White x Nike Dunk Low “Black” styles to release during Fall 2021 at select retailers and Nike.com. Following the release of the Dunk Low 'Plum' earlier this year, we're back with another Japan-exclusive style from 2001. They have not stopped people in Dubai from celebrating and enjoying the first significant sneaker made for them. The retail price tag is set at $100 USD. The insole has an arabesque pattern representing the Memorial Fountain, a longtime skate hub in Dubai. My passion for sneakers started at age 6 and now I've turned my passion into a profession. The gum sole on bottom stands for the sand the city rose from. The Frame x Nike SB Dunk Low "Habibi" is far from being controversial on the level of any of the aforementioned shoes. For the first eight years... Nike Dunk Low "BHM" Releasing February 2021, Gremlins-Themed adidas Stan Smith Releasing For Christmas, The adidas Micropacer Returns in “Black Solar”, Nike Air Max 95 SE Releasing With Vintage TV Color Bar Tongues, Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% Inspired by Japan’s Biggest Race, Nike Air Zoom Type SE “Baroque Brown” With Added Sherpa Shrouds, Jewels, and More, Nike Air VaporMax EVO Surfaces in “Wolf Grey”. Nice Kicks has release dates, prices, and where to find A Classic Color Combo is Coming in 2021 via the "Hyper Cobalt" Nike Dunk Low for sale. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Why they didn't print the original pattern on a thicker material is unclear. A first look at the women's-exclusive 'Green Glow' Nike Dunk Low has surfaced and is reportedly dropping in 2021. "I thought the double Swoosh and the two tongues symbolized the union of complexity and duality," Ahn explains. The design is very much indebted to the United Arab Emirates, but an Emirati did not design it. WHERE TO BUY. In explaining the discrepancy on the laces, Ahn says they are meant to evoke the feel of a shemagh but needed to use thicker material than that of the actual headwear if the shoes were to be used for skating. The Off-White™ x Nike Dunk Low Is Rumored To Release in "Black" Colorways: Expected to release Fall 2021. The 'Veneer' colourway has long been sought after for its eclectic hues and soft textures—and now, it's back in the mould of the original, bathed in premium suede and shades of Veneer, deep purple and Autumn Green. Back for the first time since 2001, the 'Brazil' Dunk Low features Varsity Maize panels and Pine Green overlays as … "I appreciate and respect the achievement, because at the end of the day it’s the first-ever GCC-based shoe design," one retailer in the area tells Complex, referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council union of countries the UAE belongs to. Nike's Latest SB Dunk Low Is Another Collaboration With Sean Cliver ... Stay tuned as the release date for the Sean Cliver x Nike SB Dunk Low has yet to be released. Dressed in a Black, Ghost, Crimson Tint, and Grand Purple color scheme. View this post on Instagram Unreleased Nike x Off White Dunks ? The retail price tag … In response to calls for Nike to pull the shoe, the brand issued a statement saying that it respects all religions and that the mark on the bottom of the shoe was "intended to reflect the Air Max brand only.". The Nike Dunk Low Free 99 Pack is said to include two mismatch color options of the Nike Dunk Low. Where to buy A Classic Color Combo is Coming in 2021 via the "Hyper Cobalt" Nike Dunk Low shoes. The falcon racers, the sheikhs, the skateboarders looking for a scene, and the budding hypebeasts of the glittering city in the United Arab Emirates have a shoe that they can claim. Looking closer, the pair once again features a simple color blocking, while Blue leather adorns the overlays and runs across the Swoosh. This Nike Dunk Low comes dressed in a Black, Hyper Cobalt, and White color combination. One of the first releases of the Dunk Low Pro B series had the ‘Ugly Ducking’ Pack, which includes the three iconic colorways of ‘Plum,’ ‘Veneer’ and … Dressed in... Nike Air technology has been an integral part of Nike since making its way into footwear in late 1978. Nike will continue to celebrate their yearly Black History Month collection honoring African American heritage during 2021. The design won the competition, earning Ahn and Frame the right to release a shoe with Nike SB. It also had the Arabic transliteration of "Nike" in place of the brand name's typical hit on the heel. It could only be from Dubai. "Fortunately, as an avid Nike head, I had a few designs in my mind already," he says, "and put together the proposal for the design that felt the most appropriate at that point in my life and told the story of Frame.". Look for the Nike Dunk Low “BHM” to release sometime during February 2021 at select retailers and Nike.com. Official images of this year's 'Veneer' Nike Dunk Low have surfaced with the pair slated to release in November 2020. "I wanted to use suede on the red tip and heel but had to give up on the idea because the red would stain the white leather on the toe box," says Ahn. © Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Decisions like these must consider the potential for sportswear to spark controversy for both regional and religious reasons. The removable white tongue on top has a falcon graphic, the black on bottom has an oyster opening to show a pearl. "But I feel that the execution process could have been handled better and with more respect to the culture it claims to boast.". First Look at Nike SB's Dunk Low "Pink Pig": Inspired by the Porsche 917/20 race car that debuted at the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Nike Dunk Low ‘Hyper Cobalt’ will launch during the early part of 2021 and continues to build on the large amount of offerings.. The next mixed in more material, testing out a suede on the toe box that was eventually scrapped. So where is it from? Take a first look at the rumored Off-White™ x Nike Dunk Low “Black” expected to arrive sometime Fall 2021 below. Ahn sent the concept to his shop team and friends in Dubai, who sent back a detailed drawing of what would eventually become the "Habibi" Dunk. The retail price tag has yet to be announced. He says Frame decided not to write "Nike" in Arabic because he felt the shoe already had enough details tying it to the UAE. The 'Ceramic' colorway has long been sought for its eclectic hues and soft textures—and now it’s back in the mold of the original, bathed in premium suede and … The ripstop quarter panel is a reflection of the fishnets in Dubai's harbors.