New site…

http://www.nickengvall.com

New location…

from now on this blog will be located on my site at www.nickengvall.com

Jeff Staple – STPL x Airwalk

STPL x Airwalk Gambit

If Drake has enough buzz to sell blank discs, then the sneaker equivalent has to be Jeff Staple selling Airwalks. The fruits of labor from the partnership of Staple Design and Airwalk, that has had the sneaker community buzzing for a number of months now, has finally ripened. The double labeled kicks have started to arrive at Payless Shoe Stores, is anyone lined up?

As someone who grew up in the era that saw the pinnacle of Airwalk’s popularity, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to see someone like Jeff lend a hand to the struggling footwear company. Aside from those feelings, I admire Staple for stepping outside the cultural glass box that seems to restrain the creativity of so many people in the streetwear and sneaker industries. I’ve never had any doubts in his abilities to succeed in this partnership. I can also completely understand why Airwalk was the perfect fit, the challenge.

It makes perfect sense, Jeff, like most of us in the age group, was most likely a fan of Airwalk’s growing up. So first off, there is a personal connection. Secondly, when you have accomplished what Jeff has in this industry, sticking with the norm becomes tiring to say the least. Not there is anything wrong with sticking with what works, but there is a lack of gratification when it comes to repetition. The challenge of making Airwalk into a successful brand again, regardless of whether it is sold in Payless stores, or the highest of high-end boutiques, would be equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest in those very Airwalk shoes.

With the shoes releasing at a price point of $50 and under, Jeff accomplishes two things. He makes them attainable to the masses, which is essential in an economy like this. In addition, the price point is right at that spot where, if quality is up to par, sneakerheads will likely consider it an option. It’s not too cheap, i.e. Starbury’s and Protege, yet it’s not at the typical Staple Design hype prices. Add to these points, the marketing power of Staple to have Airwalks in the USA Today with prime placement, the buzz created by Jeff merely announcing the partnership, and success is eminent.

Daps to Jeff for going against the grain, and to others immersed in the culture, a simple reminder. If you allow the cultural glass box to exist, it will inevitably suffocate you.

Social Media Marketing Once Again

Viral videos (or poor attempts) on the internet seem to be a dime a dozen, most of us can’t open our inbox without having one forwarded to us. Usually it has a string of addresses attached to it that lead to an unknown production company, likely consisting of one or two dudes high off of “life.” I know I am stereotyping, and it’s not that these types can’t produce a nice video. There is just something to be said about the quality of these latest videos to have crossed my internet path. Taking into account that both of these skateboarders are easily marketable, these two videos are definitely raising the bar, without being completely “groundbreaking” in anyway.

*Side note* Stevie Williams is the man for being able to skate in any shoe, Forces, Jordans, it doesn’t matter. I’m happy to admit my inabilities on the grip tape, even in a Vulcanized sole. Can we get a DGK x Jordan 1?

*Side Note #2* I wish I could get in to the whole G-Shock craze, but I’d rather have a nice classy watch or no watch at all.

Not only is this video funny, Ice Cube’s “It was a Good Day” is one of my favorites. (See the breakdown for a good day…Ice Cube It Was a Good Day) P-Rod is also doing it big and the combination of these to “street” legends is ingenious.

A little update…

I’m gonna be working my blog into my website at NickEngvall.com here shortly. The site is temporarily setup, but will look completely different in the next week or two.

I’m somewhat undecided on the exact layout as of right now. No surprise.