The Onitsuka Tiger & Faile Collaboration
Where art and sport meet the streets

http://www.faile.net/
http://www.onitsukatiger.com/
--------------

Onitsuka Tiger, in partnership with New York-based artist group Faile, created a series of new and exciting products.

With an invitation by Onitsuka Tiger, Faile took two existing shoes and radically remodel them. Rather than a "celebrities' color" touch up job, the collaborators worked hand in hand to create new versions of Onitsuka Tiger's popular MEXICO MID RUNNER and GANTRAI. The end results were two unique products that blurred the boundary of art and street style. The two shoes are available now in Onitsuka Tiger's European flagship store in Paris.

"As designers, it was important for us to have the freedom to experiment and explore the possibilities for this project. Onitsuka Tiger has a great history of product innovation and this showed in their openness to challenge us to create something new"

-Patrick McNeil of Faile

Both AIKO MID RUNNER and GANTRAI CHALLENGER will come with a Faile Toy. Colors will be exclusive for each country where the shoes are sold. There is also a lavender edition, which is not shown below. In addition, for this collaboration, Faile also designed a series of bags. The bags are made to hold a laptop, cans of spray paint and all other goodies for a modern revolutionary.





GANTRAI CHALLENGER
Faile took the legendary GANTRAI shoe and updated it with contemporary urban styling to create the GANTRAI CHALLENGER. Key design features include a Velcro strap system replacing the original laces and a variable multi-grip sole. Additional exclusive updates for the GANTRAI CHALLENGER include water resistant vari-mesh nylon uppers and specially printed Faile ‘icon’ insoles. The GANTRAI CHALLENGER will be sold through selective retailers and is delivered in special collectors edition shoebox.

AIKO MID RUNNER
Taking from inspiration from the catwalk rather than the track, Faile remodeled the original MEXICO MID RUNNER to create a new shoe profile for Onitsuka Tiger. The new AIKO MID RUNNER shoe has been extended to calf high proportions with full length lacing at the rear of the shoe. A removable leather ‘garter’ covers this extended portion of the shoe, with Faile’s trademark octopus prints on the interior. The AIKO MID RUNNER is also delivered in a special collectors edition shoebox, featuring Faile’s striking motifs and prints.



Further details and local exhibition listings are available on onitsukatiger.com from June.