With this collaboration Ewing Athletics opened up their archive to NRML. I selected the Rogue silhouette and designed the colour way and material selection. Worked with Ewing throughout the sample process to ensure the highest quality final product was brought to retail.
--- OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE ---
While the 80s introduced the idea of basketball players having their own signature shoe, in 1989 it was Patrick Ewing that took this a step further by being the first player to have his own company. The early models were hugely successful, becoming street staples in Patrick's hometown NYC before reaching Europe, Asia and beyond. For a time, each new season would introduce a new model on the court, while additional footwear and apparel came along with the brand's initial expansion during the 90s. Things slowed down for the brand before it eventually shut down in 1996, but it wouldn't be gone for long.
With its own roots in basketball culture and retro sneaker nostalgia, NRML was proud to be one of the first retailers to carry the newly-revived brand upon its return in 2012. Some 5 years later it's with even more pride NRML announces their first collaboration with this legendary name as part of their 20th Anniversary celebration. Using what first debuted in 1994 as a European-exclusive model, NRML took a look into the archives to present the Ewing Athletics x NRML Rogue 'Glowsole'.
Dressed in an understated blacked out nubuck upper with the classic speckled midsole, the shoe features bold teal accents on top of a fully glow-in-the-dark outsole. The Rogue's typical branding on the velcro strap is replaced by NRML's own logo, while callouts to both NRML's opening year and 20 years in business are present with '97' and 'XX' embroidered in matching teal on the back of each shoe.
Featuring a fully branded custom box, the collaboration is limited to only 360 pairs worldwide and releases Saturday, October 28, 2017 at NRML, NRML.ca and ewingathletics.com.
Photography: Will Smith / @wrwsmith