Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and others release Year of the Ox designs
On Jan. 12, we bid goodbye to the Year of the Rat and usher in the Year of the Ox in the Chinese lunar calendar. This occasion also ushers in a treasure trove of design collaborations across all product categories.
The colorways are not all red either—at least two are using jade green to signify the stone’s significance in Chinese culture as a symbol of prosperity.
What better way to start the Ox year than in a pair of new kicks—and walk like a boss all through the new lunar year.
Here are some of our fave limited-release designs.
Nike
Nike has been releasing shoes to mark the Chinese New Year for many years now. This time, the Year of the Ox is interpreted in three design themes: the artisanal Chinese knot, explosive firecracker and naturalistic spring blossom. Air Jordan 1 Low OG is the most unique with its color-blocking, jacquard pattern with foil accents, red knot bracelet—and a gold tassel. Wild!
Adidas
Adidas has released predominantly “core black” designs with its signature three stripes in silver or gold or multi-color. Accents include an illustration of an ox printed above the heel of the shoe in one version. Adidas has a whole collection of collegiate jackets, tees, and sweaters to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Under Armour
The Curry 8 CNY shoes mark the Lunar New Year for Under Armour. According to the brand’s Instagram account, Stephen Curry made his first trip to China in 2013 and has returned nearly every summer since. The red basketball shoes feature UA’s Hovr technology in the reddest of red.
Dior
Dior’s exclusive men’s capsule collection was created in collaboration with Californian designer Shawn Stussy. An embroidered ox head patch—the capsule’s emblem—is featured on top of the opaque logo, along with Shawn’s graffiti-style signature in red.
Gucci
The design house takes the Japanese manga character Doraemon, celebrating 50 years in 2021, across its many product categories. For its CNY footwear releases, Doraemon is in the Princetown slipper with brown leather piping; and in the Ace sneakers with Gucci’s signature green and red leather trim.
Dr. Martens
For its Lunar New Year 1461 Docs, Dr. Martens gives a nod to jade, a stone believed to bring good fortune in Chinese culture. A round jade is on the leather oxfords as a decorative charm and continues with the color of the welt stitching.
Vans
In collaboration with Chinese design Suwokou, the “Vans x They Are” CNY collection takes inspiration from China’s street and skateboarding cultures, art and music.