KATC Feature: Sole Collector Las Vegas Grand Finale

 

Sneakerheads from near and far gathered at the Niketown/Sole Collector National Sneaker Championships. The event took place at the Las Vegas Niketown on July 22nd and featured a number of events and guests. The festivities started on Wednesday, where sneakerheads lined up for bracelets with hopes of purchasing the event shoe (Nike Dunk High Cowboy IV) and continued throughout the weekend at events such as the Sole Collector BBQ, Gentry Humphrey's speech, and of course, the Sole Collector Grand Finale itself.

 

Words: FlintGrey ([NT], KATC Contributor)
Images: SoleSupreme ([ISS], [NT])

 

Continue Reading for More

 

 
 

Saturday, July 22nd, marked the beginning of the Sole Collector Competition with displays for Best Rare/Vintage collection from 12 pm -- 2 pm, Best Customized collection from 3 pm to 5, and Best Jordan collection from 6 pm to 8 pm. Other events included a Nike Heritage Presentation (with creator of the Nike Aqua Sock), a Nike ID Customization Presentation (with Nike ID employee), and the Brand Jordan Presentation (featuring CEO Gentry Humphreys).
 
 

Gentry's presentation caused quite a stir that evening. He confirmed a number of retros that are scheduled to come out within the year and next (Fire Red III's and V's, Grape AJ V's, Laser V's (white/orange sample), all-grey III's). He also unveiled new 2007 samples (AJ I black/toe, AJ XI I.E., mentioned altering the AJ XV). Gentry startled the room by saying that Jordan Brand would never release retros in their exact original form (meaning no 'Nike Air' ever again on retros) and that the AJ XXIII will be the end of the signature line, stating that JB "will go in a different direction" after the XXIII. He also mentioned that after the release of the XXIII, "signature shoes will be very, very hard to come by." He also mentioned to look for the upcoming XXII to have the ability to change color when worn and for the XXIII to be made from a unique process never been done before. He added in his Q&A forum that "college sponsorships will remain and will be the future of the brand", the DMP is not yet finalized, and regarding the Melo ad with the fake AJ III's, he said "the ad people had issues getting a certain individual out of the shoot, but despite being thrown out twice, he made his way back into the final shoot."

 

Now onto the pictures!

 
 

 

[RetroKid Twisting the Upcoming Nike Zoom LeBron IV]

 
 

 

[SC BBQ]

 
 

 

[Cowboy x Nike Dunk High Bracelet Lineup]

 
 

 

[Cowboy x Nike Dunk High]

 
 

 

[Kersten of Sole Collector with Mike Bibby PE XXI Lows]

 
 

 

[Game Worn Kobe Bryant PE VIIIs]

 
 

 

[Chris Hui of C2 Customs]

 
 

 

[RetroKid's Sample Air Jordan XIII Retros]

 
 

 

[RetroKid's Air Jordan X Shadow 45 PE]

 
 

 

[Krabby Rangoon's (ISS/NT) Finals Table]

 
 

 

 

 

 

[Nike Air Force 1 Low Charity Set]

 
 

 

[Kanye West x Nike Air Max 180]

 
 

 

[MJ PE Golf Cleats]

 
 

 

[Batman Air Jordan VIs]

 
 

 

[Nike Air "McFly's]

 
 

 

[Air Jordan Retro V "Laser"]

 
 

 

[Jordan Spiz'ike]

 
 

 

[Custom Nike Air Force 1 Finals Competitor]