From Jordan to Dior to Gucci, the sneaker world has created a plethora of tiger-inspired sneakers to pay homage to the Year of the Tiger 2022.
Every Lunar New Year, major fashion brands reimagine their classic shoes and sneakers to celebrate the Chinese zodiac. For the Year of the Tiger, many fashion brands have created fierce, striped collections to honor the fiery and powerful feline.
From Adidas to Balenciaga, highly recognized brands are releasing some of their most unique and eye-catching prints for the New Year. If you’re a sneakerhead trying to build your collection this holiday, read on to learn more about these Year of the Tiger releases.
[Hero Image Credit: Nike; Featured Image Credit: Gucci]
Jordan Collection Capsule “Year of the Tiger” 2022
The Jordan brand celebrates the Lunar New Year every year with unique sneaker capsule releases. For 2022, in honor of the Tiger, they’re releasing a collection of three sneakers: a new redesign of the Air Jordan 1 Low, Air Jordan 6 Low and Legacy 312.
Air Jordan 1 Low
Among the collection, the Air Jordan 1 Low has the flashiest end product. As complex as the design is, it’s the most limited of the three. Overall a beige tone, the toe box is decorated with a tiger print that continues to the quarter panels, highlighting the signature Nike check. Hints of black laces and orange detailing resemble the colors of a tiger while individually numbered tags inside the tongue represent the exclusivity of just 5,000 pairs made for sale worldwide.
Air Jordan 6 Low and Legacy 312
While the Air Jordan 1 Low is the loudest design, the Jordan 6 Lows and Legacy 312 are a more muted combination of Gold, Sail, and Jade. Inspired by Chinese ceramics produced during the Song Dynasty, the Jordan 6 Low features a crackle pattern on the toe box, resembling porcelain. The clean finish makes it an instant match with any outfit you may wear at this year’s CNY celebration.
Balenciaga
Year of the Tiger Runner Trainers
Balenciaga has released its Lunar New Year collection, featuring the Year of the Tiger Runner sneakers. Representing Balenciaga’s chunky shoes, this release also appears to be bottom-heavy, with accented orange detailing on the sneaker – the black laces against the orange communicate the inspiration of the Chinese zodiac animal.
Catch them here.
Year of the Tiger Triple S Allover Logo Sneakers
Balenciaga’s second sneaker feature in the Lunar New Year collection is Year of the Tiger Triple S Sneakers. Triple S sneakers and C-shaped puffer jackets come in monochromatic safari brown – almost a dark beige or caramel hue. Slightly less representative of a tiger, but still true to the earthy tones of a safari, the monochromatic look of the Triple S seems to fit easily with any outfit this Lunar New Year.
Catch them here.
Nike Dunk Low Year of the Tiger
Seen all over recent trends, Nike has released their next special edition Dunk Low Year of the Tiger. With vibrant oranges and yellows, the brand didn’t hold back on its decorative side. All sections of the sneaker are crafted from premium suede with overlays along the tongue to the top of the tongue, dressing up a detailed knit pattern.
They should be released in time for the Lunar New Year celebration in February 2022.
Catch them here.
AF1 Year of the Tiger
Ah yes, our base shoes – Air Force 1s. Whatever the occasion, the AF1s can be considered the go-to sneakers for style and comfort. If your pair of AFs are battered and worn like mine, maybe this Lunar New Year, you can pick up a pair of Year of the Tiger themed kicks.
Leaving the majority of the sneaker white, this reimagining showcases Nike’s Swoosh with intricately woven tiger stripes and a cute graphic of an embroidered tiger on the heel. The soles are accented with a bright orange color, while the inner linings are cherry red, completing the zodiac-inspired theme.
Their launch is scheduled for early February 2022.
Adidas Dame 8 CNY
This Lunar New Year, it’s lady time. Adidas’ line of basketball shoes with NBA star Damian Lillard debuts its Chinese New Year-inspired “Dame 8 CNY,” paying homage to the fierce feline. As fiery as the tiger, the Dame 8 CNY blends a mix of black and red, starting with a black toe box that gradually fades into a deep red at the heels. The inner lining is decorated to resemble traditional Lunar New Year floral designs, and underneath, the sole is a bright orange to complement the sneaker’s color tone.
Catch them here.
B27 Dior and Kenny Scarf Low-Top Sneaker
Dior Artistic Director Kim Jones has teamed up with American artist Kenny Scharf to design Dior’s release of a CNY-inspired collection. The Water Tiger motif is transformed into illustrations, embroideries and crests on the garments in the collection. This capsule collection presents chic B27 gray leather sneakers decorated with the Water Tiger. The water tiger artwork in blue sits towards the heel of the shoe, avoiding an overly cluttered design, and the side panels feature Dior’s signature motif.
Catch them here.
Burberry Tiger Print Cotton High Tops
Launching a new Year of the Tiger collection with heavy features of tiger stripes and orange hues, Burberry adorned its bags and garments with the zodiac-inspired motif. Among the pieces in the collection, his high-top sneakers certainly attract attention. It is fully enhanced with a tiger print that changes from light yellow to dark orange. In a way so simple and flashy at the same time, it can be a centerpiece of your outfit for the Lunar New Year celebration.
Catch them here.
Gucci
When bringing together globally recognized designer brands, Gucci of course cannot be left out. For Lunar New Year 2022, Gucci released a collection of clothing, accessories and footwear paying homage to the Year of the Tiger.
Tiger Ace Trainers
This pair of Ace trainers are recognized for their orange “Gucci Tiger” printed motto which contrasts with the teal highlighting (for women and red for men) around the laces and the Gucci motif covering the sides. Feline references are evident as an expression of Gucci’s appreciation for the rugged beauty of the natural world.
Get Women’s Shoes here and shoes for men here.
Tiger Ace Trainers
The second pair of Ace sneakers in the collection are a more conventional Gucci style, with bold tiger and flower artwork. It’s a reinterpretation of an archival design from the late 1960s by Vittorio Accornero, the creator of Gucci’s signature Flora print. Embodying Gucci’s traditional green and red colors, the shoe is predominantly all-white with hints of Gucci’s signature red and green stripes along with a tiger illustration.
Get the women here and men here.
Tiger Rhyton Trainers
The simplest design from Gucci’s Lunar New Year collection, the Rhyton sneakers are a more understated creation from the capsule. An all-cream beige color, there aren’t many flashy expressions, but it can be identified by the intricate illustration of the tiger with the printed motto, “Gucci Tiger”.
Get the women here and men here.
This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong.