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.
With each Lunar New Year, major fashion brands reinvent their classic shoes and sneakers to celebrate the Chinese Zodiac. For the Year of the Tiger, many fashion brands have created fierce and 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 sneaker enthusiast trying to build your collection while on vacation, read on to find out more about these Year of the Tiger releases.
Jordan 2022 Year of the Tiger Capsule Collection
The Jordan brand celebrates the Lunar New Year with unique sneaker capsule releases every year. For 2022, in honor of the Tiger, they are 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 is the most limited of the three. Overall, in a beige tone, the toe area is decorated with a tiger print that continues through to the quarter panels, showcasing the signature Nike check. Notes of black laces and orange details resemble the colors of a tiger while the individually numbered tags inside the tongue represent the exclusivity of just 5,000 pairs on 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 312s are a more understated combination of gold, veil, and jade. Inspired by Chinese ceramics produced during the Song Dynasty, the Jordan 6 Lows feature a crackle pattern on the toe area, resembling porcelain. The clean finish makes it an instant match with any outfit you can wear at this year’s CNY celebration.
Balenciaga
Year of the Tiger Runner sneakers
Balenciaga released its Lunar New Year collection, with the Year of the Tiger Runner sneakers. Representing the bulky shoes of Balenciaga, this version also appears to be heavy at the bottom, with orange details accented on the sneaker – the black laces against the orange communicate the inspiration of the Chinese zodiac animal.
Catch them here.
Triple S Year of the Tiger Logo Allover Trainers
Balenciaga’s second sneaker in the Lunar New Year collection is Year of the Tiger Triple S sneakers. Triple S sneakers and C-shaped puffer jackets are available in monochrome safari brown – almost a dark beige or caramel hue. A little less representative of a tiger, but still adhering to the earthy tones of a safari, the monochrome look of the Triple S seems to easily adapt to any outfit this Lunar New Year.
Catch them here.
Nike Dunk Low Year of the Tiger
Seen everywhere in recent trends, Nike has released its upcoming Dunk Low colourway as a special Year of the Tiger edition. With vibrant oranges and yellows, the brand has not hesitated on its decorative side. All sections of the sneaker are made from premium suede with overlays along the tongue to the top of the tongue, dressing up a detailed knit pattern.
They are expected to be released in time for the Lunar New Year celebration in February 2022.
Catch them here.
AF1 Year of the Tiger
Ah yes, our staple shoes, the Air Force 1. Whatever the occasion, AF1s can be considered the sneaker of choice 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 sneakers white, this reinvention showcases Nike’s Swoosh with intricately woven tiger stripes and a cute embroidered tiger graphic at the heel. The soles are accented in a bright orange color, while the interior linings are cherry red, complementing the zodiac-inspired theme.
Their launch is scheduled for early February 2022.
Adidas Dame 8 CNY
This Lunar New Year is Lady’s Time. Adidas’ basketball shoe line featuring NBA star Damian Lillard debuts his Chinese New Year-inspired “Dame 8 CNY” by paying homage to the fierce feline. As fiery as the tiger, the Dame 8 CNY mixes a mix of black and red, starting with a black toe area that gradually fades into a deep red at the heels. The inner lining is decorated to resemble traditional Lunar New Year floral designs, and below, the sole is a bright orange to complement the color tone of the sneaker.
Catch them here.
B27 Dior and Kenny Scarf Baskets Basses
Kim Jones, artistic director of Dior 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, embroidery and patches on the clothes of the entire collection. This capsule collection offers chic B27 sneakers in gray leather adorned with the Water Tiger. The Water Tiger artwork in blue is towards the heel of the shoe, avoiding an overly crowded design, and the side panels feature Dior’s signature pattern.
Catch them here.
Burberry Tiger-print cotton high-top shoes
By launching a new Year of the Tiger collection with heavy strokes of tiger stripes and orange hues, Burberry has adorned its bags and clothing with the zodiac-inspired motif. Among the pieces in the collection, its high-top sneakers are sure to attract attention. It is accented everywhere with a tiger print that changes from light yellow to dark orange. In a way that is both simple and flashy, it can be a centerpiece of your outfit for the celebration of the Lunar New Year.
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 shoes paying homage to the Year of the Tiger.
Tiger Ace sneakers
This pair of Ace sneakers is known for its orange print motto “Gucci Tiger” which contrasts with the teal reflection (for women and red for men) around the laces and the Gucci motif covering the sides. References to the feline are obvious as an expression of Gucci’s appreciation for the rugged beauty of the natural world.
Get the women’s shoes here and men’s shoes here.
Tiger Ace sneakers
The second pair of Ace sneakers in the collection is in a more conventional Gucci style, with a bold tiger and flower illustration. This is a reinterpretation of an archival drawing 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 as well as tiger artwork.
Tiger Rhyton sneakers
The simplest design in Gucci’s Lunar New Year collection, the Rhyton sneakers are a more toned down creation in the capsule. An all cream beige color, there aren’t many flashy expressions, but it can be identified by the intricate tiger illustration with the printed motto, “Gucci Tiger”.