Nike has unveiled a new iteration of the Sacai x Nike Cortez 4.0, which comes dressed in a Greyscale colourway, marking the 50th anniversary of the Cortez silhouette. The latest Bill Bowerman-designed silhouette features Sacai’s signature paired design, found in his other shoe collaborations with the swoosh label, including VaporWaffle and Blazer Low.
After releasing the original 4.0 color, the dynamic team decided to produce a gray render of the silhouette. The Chitose Abe-funded label has often applied a twin or “shadow” design to Nike silhouettes, and their latest creations are no exception to this design rule.
The parties have yet to reveal an official release date for the sneakers, but they are expected to release in 2022, in honor of the silhouette’s 50th anniversary.
Learn more about the next Chitose Abe Sacai x Nike Cortez 4.0 Gray Trainers
Japanese fashion brand Sacai has a knack for creating new silhouettes and transforming the era of shoe collaborations. Previously dependent on making minor tweaks to the color palette of current models, the Swoosh label’s latest creative partners are now required to completely redesign the sneaker while maintaining the OG spirit.
The Japanese label’s next attempt (along with the swoosh label) is to modify the Cortez silhouette. The silhouette follows the same stacked technique, with one shoe on top of the other and heavy layers inside and above the heel.
The upper of the sneakers is made of nylon and is double stacked, with suede panels atop the heels and distinctive overlapping swooshes on the sidewalls of the shoes.
Dark Gray covers the mesh upper, while lighter shades of Gray are used to cover the shaggy suede overlays. A similar two-tone color pattern continues throughout the sneakers, including the multi-layered tongues.
The co-branding of Nike and Sacai features white leather heel tabs and the laces come in pairs. The pairing theme continues with double layer collars and double swoosh logos.
The first swoosh logo is made of white leather and is overlaid with a gray tonal laminated swoosh pattern.
The chiseled midsole design features a branded lip at the heel and forefoot. The elongated heel piece adds a performance aspect to the silhouette, with the Zoom Air unit visible in the forefoot. The sneaker’s exposed Nike Air unit brings the classic shoes released in 1972 into a modernist era.
Official look of the sacai x Nike Cortez SP 4.0 “Dark Grey” 👀 https://t.co/Hkycbp6SYS
The Zoom Air unit is a common detail added to the swoosh label’s running and basketball kicks. These Zoom Air bubble pucks on the split midsole and grooved rubber outsoles. A black outsole and stacked rubber midsole with cream, gray and black accents completes the sneaker’s design.
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Chitose Abe completes the look by printing the logo of her famous Japanese brand on the heels.
The pair is set to release on Nike’s official SNKRS e-commerce site and at select retailers this Fall 2022 for an expected retail price of $160. The Swoosh label, however, has not released an official release date.
Sacai x Nike have previously collaborated for the Air Max 90, LD Waffle and Dunk High iterations.
Coming soon!