Nike has trotted out a new Dunk Low colorway sure to resonate with fans of traditional tattooing.
The Nike Dunk Low “Biker Tattoos,” as its been unofficially nicknamed, is clad with some of the quintessential colors and iconographt of American traditional tattoos. The leather upper is primarily made up of red and black paneling and is accented by a white Swoosh and collar that’s split between yellow and turquoise. A perforated spiderweb appears on the toe cap, but the greatest flourishes are saved for the interior.
Mismatched inner tongue tags host a bird with “Just Do It” on the left sneaker and a spider with a red Swoosh on its abdomen on the right. A massive eagle is then spread across the yellow insoles, which includes an array of stars and dots.
The American traditional tattoo style dates back to the late 19th century, but Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins is widely considered the father of the style for his work in the 1930s. The style consists of thick, dark outlines, bold colors, minimal shading and a number of core motifs, many of which are nautically themed or patriotic.
The Nike Dunk Low “Biker Tattoos” is out now through Nike’s website. Pricing is set at $135.
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
