TOP 10 OF 2011

Firstly Happy New Year to all my readers, for many people I have spoken to it has been a hard year so we welcome you to 2012 and hopefully a much better year. Secondly as usual I have my Top 10 of 2011 albiet slightly late as the festive season for me has been more excessive than usual. It has been a year of huge releases and but also a huge amount of recycling. Only 1 of my top ten in a brand new model all the others are reimagined designs and colorways and retros, this was not a conscious effort on my part but more a sign of the nature of the current industry. That said there was a huge amount of innovation in materials in 2011 as we saw the introduction of hyperfuse and vacuum technology from Nike, Helium lightweight from Adidas and also a strong year for Reebok who although they didn't make the list have come on leaps and bounds and I expect to see them on the list in 2012. So lets get in there...


10. BEAUTY & YOUTH X VANS

Vans have had another huge year and they seem to get more popular by the day especially with the Vans Vault collections which are constantly reinventing the extensive Vans back catalogue in premium materials and also creating great new models in their own right. But my pick was not from the Vault series but a collaboration with Japanese brand Beauty & Youth, which gave the Era a trio of cord uppers. For classic comfort and wearability the Era is second to none and I love the idea of the cord wearing in like it does on trousers these will look better and better with age, I just love these...

 
9. NIKE SB 'STATUE OF LIBERTY DUNK'

Nike SB have definitely been accused in recent years of releasing colorways without any inspiration or originality. But the release of the 'Statue of Liberty Dunk' was a ray of hope along with Cheech&Chong colorway which was also another highlight. With a beautiful satin green leather upper with its ability to shed an outer layer of paint, revealing an unoxidized copper finish that mimics that of New York’s iconic landmark. This was a really genius sport specific idea, one of the best SB's in years...
8. NIKE AIR FLOW 2011 RETRO

The Nike Air Flow is a classic, it paved the way for the now commonplace minimal runner. Looking at it now in 2011 it is still very much a modern looking runner and with the Lunar Air Flow also dropping in 2011 it really showcased the successful design as the hyperfuse and lunar technology took effortlessly to the model. But it is on the foot where this model shines and in several eye popping colorways and with more to come in 2012 this is one that is well and truly out of the dark for the foreseeable future...
7. RONNIE FIEG X ASICS 'ULTRA MARINE' GT II

If you are a regular reader then you'll already be familiar with Ronnie Fieg and his now infamous Asics collaborations. Now with the opening of the Kith NYC store run with several other creatives their is now an outlet for his continually great catalogue. With buttery 'ultra marine' perforated suede on the upper and aqua/white highlights this is a powerhouse of a colorway, but don't be fooled into thinking this is easy this one has apparently been 3 years in the design kitchen, all that effort to look effortless...
6. NIKE FREE RUN+ 2 'CITY SERIES'

The Free Run+ 2 was without a doubt the best looking new release of the year, the overlays on the upper with the fine mesh underneath create brilliant texture and depth to the model with being too busy. And the fit is incredibly comfortable. I have such a huge array of people wearing these shoes on the street from kids to businessmen across the board this shoe delivered. The 'City Series' was my highlight of the colorways and the London Colorway although im biased was a simple triumph, the two tone colorway let the textures and design do the talking and it shouted...
5. MISSONI X CONVERSE 'AUCKLAND RACER'

Missoni's SS12 Collection was one of my highlights this year in Milan. Not least because of the above Auckland Racers. These will unfortunately not see a general release at least not yet anyway. I'm ever hopeful as these would be a serious addition to my summer wardrobe, their is nothing like these out there at the moment, with a knitted Missoni patterned wool upper and contrasting white sole these were always going to make the cut...
4. NEW BALANCE 996 'GREY/BLACK'

The New Balance 996 are one of the lesser known models in the NB arsenal but this colorway is without a doubt one of my favourites of 2012. I'm not quite sure how long these have been on the market as I showcased them here at the start of 2010 but have not seen them on the market till now. NB and grey colorways seem to go hand in hand and it is testament to their quality materials and construction that they still manage to keep us hooked with such a somber colour palette, I only have to look at the mesh on these to know they are special...
3. 2011 NIKE AIR MAG

2011 was the year that we will never forget as the culmination of years of debating, petitions and prayers were answered as 2015 came to 2011. The 2011 Nike Air Mag came to fruition and although it was without the fabled self lacing system (see you in 2015) and the huge price tags this was without a doubt one of the best releases of the year. With all the proceeds going to the Michael J Fox foundation it was a brilliant cause and an amazing campaign all round. People well outside the industry were nattering about these and im still sore that I dont own a pair, when I finally perfect my time machine ill go back and get them...
2. BODEGA X NIKE AIR WOVEN FOOTSCAPE

The Nike Air Footscape seems to be one of the hardest shoes to get hold of these days. Despite tending to divide opinion wherever I go you will never see these making it to the sales shelf. They have a kind of mystic about them and despite my orinal reluctance to get onboard they have continually grown on me over the years and although I missed out on these, they will be a target for 2012 in some form. Released as one of a trio this earthy colorway from Bostons Bodega, who have done such stirling work with Saucony over the last 2 years, was much coveted and for good reason the colorway was epic and looked especially good against the woven uppers. They have a really native feel about them and it just works, these very nearly pipped the J's...
1. JORDAN III 'BLACK CEMENT' 2011 RETRO

What can you say about this icon other than with a shape closer to the original than any other retro and quarms about construction and materials aside (these could have been made from paper and I would still have bought a pair). The originals are probably one of the greatest sneakers ever created, their popularity is testament to their brilliant design and forward thinking. They are still without a doubt one of the best looking shoes and having worn mine virtually every other day since release they still get more than enough attention, my favourite release of the year...