Human Made’s NIGO adds subtle touches to the time-tested Superstar that perfectly merges subtlety without drowning out the model’s simplicity.
Nike Updates Their Workhorse Running Shoe In The Form Of The Pegasus 37
There is a reason why Nike dubs this its workhorse running shoe, and for good reason too. Introduced in 1983 as “the shoe for every runner,” the Nike Pegasus has built its reputation as a trusted, dependable training shoe, which from year to year, has gone through major technological shifts that has kitted every runner from the casual to the elite, and the feel of the shoe has just gotten better and better with each upgrade.
So what’s new for the Pegasus 37?
For starters, the full-length Zoom Air bag has been thrown out and replaced with a forefoot Zoom Air bag, concentrating on the rebound more. The air bag too has been given a sizable upgrade, with the Pegasus 37’s air bag being twice as thick as the Pegasus 36. React foam is now the staple, succeeding the previous Cushlon foam in every way possible, while a midfoot band secures the foot down better. The shoe however, retains a heel collar that tapers away from the Achilles tendon, and also keeps the signature waffle rubber outsole for durability.
It is by far, Nike’s most comfortable and reliable running shoe yet.
The shoe release on April 28 globally for an approximate price of RM 523.
10 Best adidas Superstar Collaborations To Have Ever Released
There are a few sneaker greats to have ever embraced this world and made a significant impact on the culture, and the adidas Superstar, whose iconic shell toe and simple yet striking design definitely has a place with the all-time greats, after having dipped its toes in several subcultures by way of Kareem Abdul Jabar who fervently endorsed the Superstars, RUN DMC who wrote a song about their adidas shoes as a euphemism that people judge a book by its cover, and pro skaters who began their careers with the silhouette. We take a look at some of the best packs and collaborations to have ever dropped, with some of them being some of the top all time grails for any collector in the game.
CLOT X Star Wars X adidas Superstar “Darksidestar”
While there were a few Star Wars collaborations that showcased the breadth of the main characters and legions in the Star Wars universe, it is arguably Edison Chen’s version that was best executed amongst the others. Featuring a black and red Superstar, the silhouette’s red accents glow in the dark. The 2010 April release was only exclusively available at JUICE locations, and was accompanied by teo ‘Empire Athletic’ t-shirts that Edison Chen says, “all SITH lords wore this before becoming what they were.”
Undefeated X BAPE X adidas Superstar
There were actually two releases that were done under this legendary threeway banner, with the first one imbuing BAPE’s signature camo in black or blue around the sockliner and included a gold leaf BAPE logo and Undefeated on the lateral portions of the heel, but the second release that followed covered the same camo, just all over the shoe which made for a more striking silhouette that really stood out from the rest.
The threeway collaboration’s first effort.
BAPE X adidas Superstar “Super Ape Star”
But for some, one of the ultimate Superstar grails was actually one of BAPE’s earlier collabs with adidas, christened the Super Ape Star, of which the camo-ed version showcases both of the brands’ DNA in the best light. Even though this was a 2003 release, it’s still highly sought after, fetching around USD 1000 on GOAT.
adidas Superstar 35th Anniversary Pack
For the silhouette’s 35th anniversary bash, adidas pulled out all the stops and released 35 editions of the beloved model, split into 5 categories, Consortium, Expression, Music, Cities, and Anniversaries. These were extremely collectible and were a must-have for any Superstar collector, and the pack was only completed with a top secret model that was only limited to 700 pairs worldwide, making it almost impossible to complete the collection.
RUN DMC X adidas Superstar “My adidas” 25th Anniversary
Of course, any Superstar list wouldn’t be complete without the rap group that propelled the Superstar to literal stardom, RUN DMC. The 25th anniversary edition featured ‘1986’ embroidered in the back while the tongue says ‘My adidas,’ completed with gold rope dubraes. Jam Master Jay’s initials were also embroidered on the heel tab. These were released in limited pairs and remains highly sought after even till today.
adidas Superstar X Pharell Williams “Supercolour”
The release of 2015’s Supercolour pack by Pharrell Williams possibly marked the rapper’s theme around equality. The message that was pushed out also resonated with this agenda, with Pharrell saying “Supercolour is a celebration of equality through diversity. With 50 colours of the Superstar, everybody will be able to select his or her colour. It is more diverse than any pack ever before and therefore, it is more individual than any pack before.”
adidas Skateboarding “Respect Your Roots”
These were made and dedicated to four skateboarding pioneers who immersed the Superstar into skateboarding culture, particularly Kareem Campbell, Joey Bast, Drake Jones, and Richard Angelides. All of the skaters were honored with their own pair, with their names engraved on the lateral side.
adidas Consortium Superstar “Made In France”
Before the Prada collaboration, there was “Made In France,” whereby the Three Stripes paid homage to the traditional OG design by manufacturing these in Ateliers Heschung in France, where they used to manufacture adidas shoes in the 1970s. No special mark was embellished to commemorate the release, rather, the only way to tell the difference is by the quality of the leather.
adidas Consortium Superstar X NEIGHBORHOOD
The collaboration initially was done in tandem with NEIGHBORHOOD and Union LA, but Neighborhood’s efforts were ultimately the better looking one, which features a black snakeskin upper, complete with a skull and cross swords printed on the medial side of the shoe. NEIGHBORHOOD owner Shinsuke Takizawa even got his own 1 of 1 adidas Superstars, which featured his face on the gold imprint on the tongue.
adidas Originals Superstar 80s by Mark Gonzales
Legendary skater Mark Gonzales has been with the Trefoil for a very long time, and one of their team ups have resulted in this unique Superstar 80s that gave a chance to the owner to decorte the upper however they see fit.
Kodak Introduces The World’s Largest Puzzle Comprised of 51300 Pieces
If you thought you’re going to be bored this MCO, Kodak implores you to think again with the release of the largest puzzle ever made.
Comprising of 51,300 pieces, the finished puzzle will showcase 27 of the world’s wonders captured through the lens of professional photographers that is described as a celebration of Kodak’s heritage and beautiful photography.” The puzzle features several landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia, Taj Mahal, Oya, Santorini, and the Great Wall of China to name a few.
The pictures are split into 27 separately packaged puzzle pieces that interlock to create one giant puzzle that measures approximately 28.5 feet by 6.25 feet.
The puzzle won’t come cheap though, as Kodak has listed its retail price at approximately RM 2611.55 excluding shipping. You can buy now at Kodak’s website. think you’re up for the challenge?
Nike Introduces Zippable Swooshes For The Air Force One
Picture Credits: Hypebeast
In a bid to jig things up a bit, Nike has added another degree of customisability to its perennial Air Force One model by introducing zippable Swooshes on the lateral side.
Offered in black or white, the Air Force Ones are made with premium tumbled leather with a contrasting swoosh in the medial portion. The white pair comes with a choice of either red, white, and iridescent pink swoosh while the black one includes silver, neon yellow, and black swooshes.
Additional details also include metal Nike Air branding on the tab, while AIR dubraes make themselves present on the laces.
Both colours will be available on the 24th of April, dropping on Nike.com for a price of RM 535.
Under Armour’s New Curry 7 Colourway Is A Tribute To Those Who Push Themselves Forward
Under Armour has just introduced a new colourway for its Curry 7 called “Earn It.”
A blend of black and gold, it is a colourway that mirrors achievements, the pinnacle, and the will to keep on pushing to become the best in the game. The Curry 7 that the colourway adorns is no small fry either. Replete with a multi-layer knit upper, filled to the brim with both UA HOVR™ and Micro G® cushioning platforms for maximum comfort whilst on the hardwood.
The Curry 7 “Earn It” will be releasing globally on the 24th of April ot Under Armour online as well as in-stores at KLCC and Hoops Station in May for a price of RM 729.
Razer Includes The World’s Fastest 13.3″ Screen In Its New Razer Blade Refresh
Gaming Ultrabooks are a relatively new concept, and only a company ballsy enough like Razer would go around the mechanical and packaging complications to make its version as viable for gaming as possible, and it seems like they’ve quite done it with the latest Razer Blade Stealth.
The 2020 edition of the Blade Stealth 13 will succeed the GTX model, and starts at a price of approximately RM 7,900.
Of course, the main highlight here apart from the uprated GTX 1650 Ti with Max-Q design is the fact that the screen now runs optimally on 120Hz, twice as fast as the previous 60Hz refresh rate, which translates to smoother visuals when performing graphic intensive activities such as gaming. The new panel will also cover 100% of the sRGB spectrum.
The refresh also serves to overcome the shortcomings of its predecessor, with hopes of playing AAA titles such as Destiny 2 with ease. The form factor has been made even lighter too; at just below 1.5kg, this ultrabook packs quite a punch. Processor remains the same, an Intel Core i7-1065G7H as its predecessor but this time uprating it to the 25W variant from the previous 15W, which means higher performance, but also potentially more power consumption and heat in the chassis.
Apart from that, the keyboard layout has been changed as users complained about accidentally tapping the up arrow. The Razer Blade Stealth will be launched sometime in the 2nd quarter of 2020. Are you excited?
Pestle And Mortar Has Just Released A Puzzle Set To Keep You Occupied While You’re At Home
Well we all need something to keep ourselves occupied at home during this MCO, and Pestle and Mortar may just have the temporary cure for it.
In very limited quantities, the brand has launched the “PMC Kopitiam Jigsaw Puzzle,” depicting a scene at a Pestle and Mortar Kopitiam to remind ourselves of 2 things that we as human beings have surely missed, having good food over with great company. The artwork is designed by Paul Bush, utilising a mix of pastel colours to reflect a cheerful, happy environment that we all can’t wait to get back to.
The 300 piece puzzle is available to purchase now at their online website for a price of RM 99 and will ship on the 1st of May. Will you cop?
The Inventor Of The N95 Mask Was Actually A Nobel Prize Nominee From Penang
In times where diseases are spread around like the proverbial wildfire, medical face masks provide much needed coverage for the prevention of such pathogens, and from that humble face mask came variations of it including the now standard N95 face mask which provided enhanced protection as opposed to the conventional white and blue one counterpart.
But little did anyone know that the origins of the face mask dates back to 1879 where a Penangite who goes by the name of Dr. Wu Lien Teh proposed the prototype mask that eventually became the N95 mask. A Cambridge scholar, Dr. Wu Lian was highly regarded for his prowess in the medical field as well as his contributions which secured a nomination for the Nobel Prize in Medicine for 1935. Even though he was from Penang, a great amount of his work actually took place in China, where he was in service to the healthcare in the northern regions during a plague outbreak in 1910.
The bubonic plague has already ravaged some 60,000 people, hence Dr. Wu Lian needed to understand how this epidemic worked by conducting an autopsy on a cadaver of a plague victim. He then found out that the deaths were caused by a pneumonic plague that were transmitted by bodily fluids, rather than flea-infested rates as was the norm back then.
Credits: Wellcome Library
As with all great discoveries, his was marred with skepticism, exacerbated by the fact that his Mandarin was poor. To counter this, Dr. Wu Lian created a mask made out of layers of cotton and gauze in a bid to trap the moisture before entering the human body. Again, his peers took it with a grain of salt. But after test and overcoming the initial rounds of skepticism, Dr. Wu Lian’s mask was actually an effective countermeasure, and could be produced easily and in large quantities, thanks in part to its simple construction and affordable costs.
Thus, the ancestor of the N95 was born, and has been in used in every medical institution ever since. As a result, Dr. Wu was elected to lead the International Plague Conference to eradicate the plague for good. He also placed the infrastructure for a modern healthcare system first before heading back to Malaysia in 1937, where he opened a clinic at Ipoh’s Brewster Road, now known as Jalan Sultan Idris Shah.
Dr. Wu remained in service till he was 80, which he then passed away a year later from a stroke in his home.
A bust dedicated to Dr. Wu Lian Teh. Credits: Pinterest
He is now memorialised both in Malaysia and China, a statue of him erected to honour the man in Harbin Medical University. Apart from that, a road in Ipoh and a neighbourhood in Penang has been changed to bear his name, while a society called the Dr Wu Lien-Teh society was formed to preserve his legacy. Many lessons can be learned here, and the triumphs of this man should be upheld by us, the newer generation to wear these masks and prevent the disease from spreading further.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
G-Shock Introduces Carbon Fibre To the MTG Series Of Watches
Written by Ardi
G-Shock welcomes the new MTG-B1000XBD and MTG-B1000XB into its collection. The new watches from the MT-G series are well known for their construction and tough reliability. The high-transparency sapphire crystals added to the design make the watch look more elegant and classy.
The MTG-B1000XBD and MTG-B1000XB are based on the MTG-B1000, which has a mid size case for enhanced wearability while delivering advanced functionality, including smartphone connectivity and solar-powered radio control. The new additions have a carbon fiber bezel which is considered the “third material” after metal and plastics. The carbon fiber is close to plastic in terms of being light but it’s similar or maybe even better than metal in durability which makes it more resilient to the elements. Casio, however, polished its multilayer three-dimensional molding technology and cutting techniques to enable the use of carbon fiber to construct the complex bezel parts.
The bezel is three-dimensionally molded from two layers of sheets made from carbon fiber and colored glass fiber-reinforced plastic, which are combined with resin. The MTG-B1000XBD includes red accent layers and the MTG-B1000XB incorporates white accent layers. These colored layers create a contrast with the black carbon fiber layers when you look at the bezel from the side, while the eye-catching carbon fiber weave gives the bezel face an attractive design accent.This way of using the materials makes the watch an interesting piece as different angels make the watch look different.
The red-accented MTG-B1000XBD comes with a layered composite band made with durable fine resin parts, while the blue-accented MTG-B1000XB comes with a soft urethane band for enhanced wearability. The band attaches to the case using a combination of fine resin and metal parts for optimum strength.
The watches will be available at all G-Factory stores and authorized dealer stores and will be retailing at RM 4,479 for MTG-B1000XB and RM 4,859 for MTG-B1000XBD.