STASH-ed away, one of industry's greatest assets

Taking rife inspiration from the rib-cage, delicate spine and claddings of complex mesh-cross-suede overlays paying tribute to muscle-fibres’ visual appearance, SERGIO LOZANO gave us a sneaker that bore panels stitched in a manner to avoid upper-sagging whilst maintaining high levels of support - the AIR MAX 95.

It’s hard to ignore the attention within industry that this silhouette demands, from iconic ‘NEON’ palettes to collaborative efforts attributing traits derived from artists @pietparra, @davewhitestudio on behalf of @sizeofficial and this evening’s orbital centre - a deep sea toned contribution by Josh Franklin, a.k.a @mr_stash.

Heralded by many as the GREATEST Air Max 95 of all time, artist ‘STASH’ launched this as the final regarding a duo of pending ‘BLUE PACK’ totems in 2006 which followed on from ‘03’s BIG WINDOW launch - engulfing an AM95 and Air Force 1 low to sent enthusiast spiralling.

Paying tribute to STASH’s love for and reliance on spray-paint within artwork in its entirety, this was Nike’s first 95 to feature a speckled midsole laced in Harbour Blue upon an immensely dark base - a scale dragged across the upper in due course thus breaking necks on all four corners of the globe.

Unfortunately, it is the case that speckled soles of old have become crumbled remains in our modern-day, residing happily beneath a material panel-by-panel transcendence from brilliantly blue skies into dark ocean floor depths.

Sporting elegancy from a half AIR, half CUSHLON hybrid

In 2013, the sneaker-verse celebrated an euphoric THREE decades lacing one’s feet with PEGASUS models both intro-and-extroverted visually - a sneaker emblematic of footwear’s technological progress.

Before delving into the topic trigger pictured, it’s important that we get to grips with each step this franchise took in becoming the everyday powerhouse we see today.

Swoosh Chairman, President and CEO Mark Parker was manager of advanced product design as well as directing the design concepts and engineering team at the time of Nike’s launch - therefore, he was credited as one of many innovators contributing towards this sneaker of two halves. Much like the mythological creature from which its name derives, the preliminary Pegasus sole unit was HALF-air as a bubbled-wedge in its heel dictates. Pegasus replaced Oregon’s original AIR WEDGE TRAINER tagline.

SO, we hear you ask - why focus on 2004’s installment ahead @gomofarah’s 2017 tribute, that turn of the century Sean McDowell designed Air Pegasus 2000 after it returned following a three year absence and flirted with freshly baked Bowerman Series product OR ‘97’s open window feature?

WELL, 2004 was the year we welcomed differing internal sculpting for typically male or female anatomical foot structures, ticking off diversity for what was first time spanning PEGASUS well-documented history. In an effort to make day-to-day life considerably more comfortable for women, the sneaker’s saddle was sculpted in an increasingly curvaceous manner whilst boosting levels of medial support. Oregon’s PEGASUS was ahead of its time, jumping into 2018 where CUSHLON foam redeemed momentum specifically engineered to fit female feet.

Basketball heritage, without the crumble

At MORPRIME Industries™ we are once again praising the work of Oregon’s notorious sneaker-tect - Mr Tinker Hatfield. This is the man we have to thank for Air Max models-a-plenty, Jordan silhouettes III through XV and topic of this evening’s account, ‘Sir Charles’’ Air Max2 CB ‘Road’.

As its name suggests, Charles Barkley debuted his amalgamation of elasticated straps and heel-residing 180 degree visible Air units in 1994; the season following a ‘93 NBA Finals defeat to MJ’s Chicago Bulls. With these on foot, Barkley’s SUNS went on to sweep Golden State’s Warriors in three straight games during first round playoffs, meeting Houston Rockets who proved too strong in the semi-final notching four games over Phoenix's three.

Drawing attention back to centre, this article of basketball greatness was a prime example of Nike’s ‘AIR SQUARED’ (Air Max2) marketing - a project that introduced an array of sneakers in line with the Air Max2 and Air Trainer Max2 to shelves.

Design lead at the time, Tracy Teague, recalled Barkley telling her team; “You don’t tell me how to play basketball and I won’t tell you how to design shoes.”

And that was it, the Nike Air Max2 CB was born.

When a shoe is this iconic, who needs a logo?

Here at MORPRIME Industries™️, we’d like to send a huge THANK YOU to Boston’s finest for sending through one of their latest 574 renditions drawn from 2021’s ‘Grey Day’ pack - quite literally stripping this silhouette to its raw, unadulterated core.

We’ll coin this, the “Un-N-Ding”.

In case you hadn’t noticed, NEW BALANCE crafted this pair without any trace of that iconic “N” branding on the lateral side panel - instead, being replaced by a classically formal, lowercase logo.

Regardless of the “N’s” prominence within modern production, the 574’s signature shape is left untouched along with materials and an injection of precise ENCAP®️ technology expected from this classic model - now celebrated in all of its stripped back glory.

Swoosh Talaria vibrancy, ageing like fine wine

We have touched upon the Nike Zoom Talaria as being one of Nike’s unloved WONDERS in the past, with its multicoloured sole-plate and minimal upper branding setting it apart from more popular and highly sought after launches of the modern day. 1997 was a big year, not only did we welcome Harry Potter and South Park into our lives but the Talaria’s Neon/White iteration too. Fortunately for MORPRIME, this variation saw the light of day again in 2016 with little to no noise until the sale racks came calling.

Zoom Air cushioning aside, this pair did exactly what it said on the tin - allowed you to put miles on the clock with zero-to-no effort, and maximum comfort for the SWOOSH devotee amongst us.

On a side note - who noted some features shared with yesterday’s ZOOM Elite silhouette?

Reliving Nike's 90's glory with the ZOOM Elite

Here at Morprime Industries™, we’re always looking to delve into the wacky and consistently mind blowing back-catalogues of brands both far and wide - the product that makes reader pupils dilate and sweat sit beaded across your skin.

This evening, we’re uncovering something that our audience may not have laid there eyes on before; a ‘new’ pair for the Sneaké-Dex if you will!

Take a swipe to learn more about Nike’s ZOOM Elite model specs, absorbing each detail in all its glory through updated product imagery as we gently break down notably recognisable factors orbiting this lesser seen article of sneaker-tecture.

Morprime Industries™ covers pairs that WE feel NEED and DESERVE to be seen by the masses - referenced for use within future generations.

Without further ado - welcome the late-90’s Nike ZOOM Elite, featuring a unique yet elaborately stitched panel upper, sat above an immersive sole-unit compiled of similar outsole tooling to that seen beneath the TALARIA model we covered in recent history.

Who doesn’t love a stack of embroidered swoosh at toe, heel AND lateral, paired with a dose of inevitable tongue fading through prolonged lengths of time in storage?

GUNDAM: RGM-79 GM

MOBILE SUIT REPORT is an on going series in which MORPRIME Industries™ highlight the franchise of GUNDAM’s iconic - you guessed it - Mobile Suits!

We tapped into our GUNDAM experts’ brains allowing exploration across the lore, stats and equipment of each suit as a point of interest to our followers. All in all, covering a plethora of basics for those who may be new to the franchise - taking great steps forward with facts and pointers for even the well-versed aficionado.

The humble RGM-79 GM is next to grace MORPRIME Industries™ page...

From Newcastle to Japan, END. invest in a sushi spread

Japanese sporting brand ASICS and END, Newcastle’s finest, have only worked together on a handful of occasions - which is a surprising total overhanging two names of such industry prowess. Two times over, END. took Shigeyuki Mitsui’s GEL Lyte III as a blank canvas; quite the formidable starting point for any alluring concept regardless of business experience and overall product knowledge.

Fortunately, COVID didn’t hinder production of a 30th Anniversary ‘Pearl’ release - their most recent collaboration commemorated 30 years of silhouette history with a colourway portraying gemstones traditionally delivered with tri-decade celebrations in mind.

Two years prior, Mitsui’s split-tongue masterpiece underwent transformation with a nod towards life’s spicier side - ASICS’ now iconic pigskin nubuck adopted a pale, seafoam shade of green that made GEL-enthusiasts salivate.

END went on to complete Japanese cuisine’s three-way tie-up, laying foundations for conceptual sashimi, wasabi and pink pickled ginger to be merged using peach accents across portions of outsole and heel-counter panels. Lateral Tiger-Stripe branding remained faithful to the herb’s common hiding place, offering grey shades in tribute to mountainous river beds and their idyllic wasabi growing conditions.

For a seed so notoriously difficult to grow, END went a long way in fabricating their chosen condiment with ease - making for one of ASICS’ best GEL-based launches since 2015’s 12-part, 25 year celebrations.

Nike's Tinker-influenced tasty treat

Nike’s 1993 Air Carnivore came with a distinct lack of laces. Something we associate so closely to sporting footwear had been removed, seeing an over-foot strap not dissimilar to that iconically integrated into the Air Unlimited’s DNA taking its place - a pair that hit shelves 12 months later.

These were released as one of two OG palettes, staining synthetic Durabuck panelling with colours typically found in the depths of popularised ‘90s fashion - not to mention zebra-esque midsole cladding! Who knew a cross-trainer could be so pumped up on steroids?

New Balance, the Santis way

We’ve said it BEFORE and we’ll say it AGAIN - when @teddysantis and Boston’s NEW BALANCE join forces there’s very little standing between their team and world domination.

Our current market is dominated by retro silhouettes dragged kicking and screaming from the depths of NB’s archives, with the likes of @sizeofficial taking their opportunity to WOW consumers on the p550 Basketball Oxford once ALD had set a nye on impossibly obtainable precedent two-capsules-over.

Unsurprisingly, this p550 wasn’t the first time @aimeleondore had executed an N-bellished model with amicable ease; mid-2019 saw a numerically high 997 launched in two polarized iterations.

Take a swipe to learn about ALD’s fittingly coined ‘CANARY YELLOW’, absorbing every inch of that citrus pebbled tongue. Oh, and join us in recalling @end_clothing’s pop-up floristry to celebrate launch in store, too!

Carefully woven, the bubble-ridden Loopwheeler 95

Founded back in ‘99, Loopwheeler is a borderline turn-of-the-Millenium sweatshirt brand that incorporates durability and an underlying yet characterised use of loopwheel machine factories into their product. By 1997, only two of the above remained in functional and amicable use - inspiring founding figure Satoshi Suzuki’s desire to preserve an industrial legacy. From this point, @loopwheelerss’ ethos resonated around keeping Japanese techniques alive and breathing at a rate of seven to eight sweatshirts per day, birthing one intricate metre - per machine - every hour.

This isn’t the first time Swoosh dragged Loopwheeler’s love for premium fabrics acrossed Mother Earth’s Pacific ocean - we’ve actually seen iterations of Internationalist, Roshe Two, Lunar Force 1 and laceless Sock Dart to name but a few work their way into rotation; all taking on distinctly less vibrant approaches to modern sneaker culture than the article of footwear sitting at the head of this evening’s table.

For a better look at Loopwheeler’s well-appreciated 2019 Air Max 95 in collaboration with Nike, swipe back and forth in any manner you deem appropriate!

Space-bound with Boston's 2010 retro

Back in 2010, Boston’s New Balance powerteam launched a silhouette coined the ‘ROLLS ROYCE of running shoes’, originally sporting exposed N-Ergy technology beneath its forefoot and durable mesh membrane-cross-plush suede, nubuck or even leather cladding what was already a visually distinct upper sculpted by Andrew Nyssen.

A whole decade later, we were graced with its slightly altered, equally prominent presence once more; this time, forefoot N-Ergy impact dispersal was dropped into the hands of ABZORB foam whilst remaining exposed at its rear - continuing to sit below an amalgamation of luxuriously well-sculpted materials. In fact, you may recognise this newfound sole unit from the performance-angled 860v2; that’s right, its price-point dropped in tandem with NB’s tendencies to sole-swap between installments.

Footwear lovers have long-term NB Japan employee and product line manager Tetsuya Shono to thank for 2020’s 2002r(emap), a gentleman who knew the ins and continentally-popular-outs of a newly-affordable instant hit.

What was once a pair inspired by CEO wearability, is now a model taken beneath the industry-defying wings of @INVINCIBLE_INC, @thisneverthat and iconically @beaspunge brand owner @salehebembury.

1998 all over again

The Zoom Talaria is a sneaker that really doesn’t get the love it deserves, in our opinion anyway. Who doesn’t love a bit of bias?

This Tinker Hatfield designed silhouette warmed shelves and sale sections when it returned in 2016 - even though it’s a pair celebrated by OG’s worldwide, it never seemed to tap into that wider audience. Our lab rats theorise that this was due to an unconventional SWOOSH placement and overall lack of branding as a whole. With a name coined by sandals sat upon the feet of messengers to the GODS, shouldn’t success just be expected?

Known as one of the first Nike running sneakers to come with the responsive ZOOM Air cushioning system, the Talaria is as comfortable as they come and to this day we’d argue that it has the most beautiful sole unit of any sneaker. In this case, we highlight a vibrant red to green gradient design laced in clear coating, details you’d never notice once the trainer is on foot - just like its bottom-loaded, three-quarter length ZOOM Air unit!

We have a plethora of pairs within our collection, with the OG Neon from 1997 wearing our theoretical crown quickly followed by ‘98s extremely rare Red/Yellow number pictured above - this iteration was secured last year following an immersive turn-by-turn chase.

MORPRIME Industries™ POTM: April '21

Has APRIL been and gone ALREADY? Where did we lose 30 calendar days? It’s MAY?!

Anguish aside, 2021’s fourth month graced us with some product ripe enough to be spread across ALL platforms held close to MORPRIME Industries™️ collective heart.

It seems we’ve taken the mantel and role in addressing a question posed by our lab rats - where do we start? Who pinned top-spot? Our breakdown includes @badbunnypr cahoots with @adidasoriginals, those great people at @sneakersnstuff doing up casual and Toronto residing @bettergiftshop having their way with @salomonsportstyle.

Take a swipe to find out if your pick made our shortlist! 🦾

The first of three MORPRIME Industries™️ recaps comes in a mechanical form - @robosenofficial and @hasbropulse produced our FIRST auto-converting, interactive, programmable, voice and mobile activated OPTIMUS PRIME robot. In order to operate in a way distinctly lifelike, Cybertron’s counterpart boasts over 5000 components, 60 microchips, 27 servo and a level of aesthetic presence so simple yet infinitely powerful. Immersive adulthood has never been so good!

It was confirmed that Amazon @primevideouk have booked in Robert Kirkman’s INVINCIBLE animation for a second series - and with good reason! Kirkman’s primary eight-block follows Mark Grayson - your average 17-year-old with a secret. His father is Omni-man, planet earth’s most powerful superhero.
As we venture towards the FANATICAL series FINALE, Mark learns of his own powers and the consequences of ensuing action. But, without breaking an enveloped sense of mystery and surprise - we think YOU will have to enjoy every episode for yourself! Be warned, ensure you’re 18 years and OVER beforehand.

As a little treat, let’s look at the Air Jordan 3 x @maniere_usa. Right, we’ll leave you to drool for a moment longer...

Hybrid theory, from LA to Oregon

Nike has introduced a lot of things to this sneaker-world we all love and cherish, in fact, their ‘community’ approach to launch products surrounding a self-coined ‘Air Max Day’ is something replicated within reason by a multitude of retailers and fashion houses across our Sneakersphere. You know, like Halloween except with less ghouls... and more spending.

‘Voting Forward’ could take place in stores or at home. Of course, this meant chains would promote their home-grown talent. The likes of London’s Footpatrol promoted their resident Alexandra Hackett — or @Miniswoosh as she is commonly known — regularly throughout the voting process.

Ultimately, Round Two’s co-founder Sean Wotherspoon won with inspiration drawn from OG windbreakers and ‘80s-’90s Nike goodness; focusing on a sustainable ethos held close to the metaphorical heart of vintage platforms.

We were given heaps of corduroy (a MORPRIME favourite), alongside vibrant tones and even a mini-swoosh - a feature that makes being materialistic that little bit more appealing. Nike’s box script was infilled sparing no limitations, filling every inch with splashes of colour in-sync with the sneaker’s multi-layered ‘97 contribution.

Commonwealth from afar, it's a Three-Stripes Response

Tapping into the fruitful bounties dotted throughout near-exotic settings amidst spots of Californian and Philippines residing sunshine, @COMMONWEALTH is a brand known for its Filipino heritage and quintessentially raw style. Cutting to the point, founding figure and current owner, @omarquiambao, has ‘recently’ opened his third and largest location in Manila after establishing the preliminary vision in ‘04.

Quiambao reworked Three Stripes’ CL Response to feature two equally balanced faces, an outstep plagued in white monotone panelling that transitions gently onto an instep clad with portions of beige suede, black stripes and red accents.

This is a phenomenally wearable sneaker, adding to adidas’ CL Response arsenal of 2020.

Ribbon blue, submerged with J. Crew

J.Crew’s panel of design experts are no strangers to investing their extensive time and effort into bettering - or should we say harmonising - that illustrious middle-ground between premium menswear and sporting mastery.

We’ve seen New Balance time and time again, Nike on the occasion and an assortment of recognisable ASICS variations cementing the Japanese sportswear brand’s seat at an ever growing industry table.

For this instalment, we’ll touch briefly upon @jcrew’s ASICS Gel Lyte III collaboration, fittingly named ‘Ribbon Blue’ in homage to an immersive navy suede upper. Without breaking stride, this ageless ‘90s model was elevated through injections of tonal grey details, working effortlessly in housing ankle-hugging terry sock liners.

It’s presence was announced in 2015, launching alongside an ‘EVERGREEN’ iteration that drew minimal similarities from its counterpart beyond a trifecta of components: premium materials, tones complimentary of J.Crew’s clean aesthetic and of course - ASICS’ split tongue game changer.

Without further ado, take a swipe to absorb some of MORPRIME Industries™️ complementary angles captured below sea level, including an educational bottle residing message lost beneath battling waves! 🦾

We’ll let our graphics do the speaking this evening! I wonder where our next adventure will take the lab rats?

Days of old, ridden with Peter Fogg's Air Zoom Terra Albis

When it comes to innovative moments in our beloved sneaker-verse’s voluptuously branched history - enveloping all that stands in their way - it’s best for the lab-rats to kick things off with a year of birth.

1998.

Peter Fogg takes his seat at Nike’s mountainous peak of TERRA-based products (pun intended!), introducing dedicated consumers to the technical possibilities harboured behind Oregon’s sporting facade. Both the Albis and its boot-esque Sertig comrade inherited Swiss mountain areas as a duo of suitably brandished titles - in mentioning this, we’ll leave the brand’s naming habits for another day. Wait for that one! Notably, both aforementioned models were the first lines to feature supplementary proportions of LUG traction.

Our LATIN speakers will almost certainly know that TERRA translates into earth or land; though, as our moles delve deeper we find Roman mythology pushed the boat out EVEN further with reference to Terra Mater, any guesses?

Mother Earth.

@peterfogg incorporated his love for adventure into footwear as 1991 broke even, enhancing product already available to the masses by means of smoothing rural platforms through naturally-filtered goggles. His career path from Boeing aircraft interiors to sneaker architecture couldn’t have contrasted any more dramatically if he’d tried; however research aptly posted the Terra Sertig, Terra Minot as well as both Air and Terra Humara, to name but a few, from his Oregon office into Nike’s multitude of production lines.

GUNDAM: RX-79 [G] GUNDAM GROUND TYPE

MOBILE SUIT REPORT is an on going series in which MORPRIME Industries™ highlight the franchise of GUNDAM’s iconic - you guessed it - Mobile Suits!

We tapped into our GUNDAM experts’ brains allowing exploration across the lore, stats and equipment of each suit as a point of interest to our followers. All in all, covering a plethora of basics for those who may be new to the franchise - taking great steps forward with facts and pointers for even the well-versed aficionado.

The RX-79 [G] Gundam Ground Type is next to grace MORPRIME Industries™ page...

When the '00s became today's youth in Stussy attire

Some of you may recall, we at MORPRIME Industries™ recently collaborated with Footpatrol’s wonderful team to relive the early, middle and latter years of Tinker Hatfield’s Nike Air Huarache silhouette - noting every moment that helped sculpt the model’s legacy as we see it today.

If you’re wanting the cold facts behind a sneaker influenced by no other than water-skiing footwear, then please make your way down our feed. BUT, if you’re here to take a better look at Stussy’s recently revisited SMU-cum-collaborative instalment then look no further!

Swipe across to learn somewhat of a backstory, illuminating fine details that rendered this retro as a treatment of Herculean proportions.

It all started back in 2000…