Michael Lau is an artist from Hong Kong who is known for his illustration and designer toy figures. Lau is widely credited as the founder of the urban vinyl style within the designer toy movement. His work has had a significant effect on toy manufacturers, as well as street culture, including artists and musicians, throughout the world. His style is particularly influential to Asian and American hip-hop and skateboarding culture. In 1998, he began the Gardener comic strip in East Touch magazine for which he is best known for. The characters featured in this comic strip were the basis for his first series of vinyl collectible figures. In 1999, his work became popular enough to attract the attention of the Sony corporation, who exclusively distributed a selection of his Gardener pieces in Asia. To help launch a new store in Hong Kong the folks at Nike SB called upon Lau to create a special collection. Named “Gardener Meets Nike” the limited collection consisted of a special “wooden” Dunk Low Pro SB accompanied by a walnut wood 6-inch NY FAT figure, mini skateboard tag and special lasered box. Since he was working with Nike Skateboarding, Lau sought inspiration from a skateboard. That is where the theme of using a “wood” texture came from. The key element of the design is walnut wood seen throughout the sneaker design from the textured upper to the “wooden” midsole.
The skateboarding influence is seen in the four drill holes added to the heel. Lau’s NY FAT character is seen on the insole as well as lasered into the box inside as well. To finish off the design the words “Gardener Meets Nike at Hong Kong Flagship 29.09.2006″ was added to the heel to ensure everyone knows of the importance of the sneakers.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Lau
http://blog.sneakerpedia.com/2012/09/05/sneaker-spotlight-michael-lau-x-nike-sb-dunk-low-pro/ http://www.kicksonfire.com/rare-kicks/nike-dunk-sb/nike-dunk-sb-low/nike-dunk-sb-low-michael-lau/
via [Nike Dunk Philippines]
Post a Comment