The Shoe Designer And NFL Star Collaborate For A Sneaker Meant To Provoke Dialogue Through Design
Parisian luxury shoe designer Pierre Hardy and American football player Victor Cruz have come back together for a special shoe collaboration that seeks to reflect contemporary cultural progress.
Designed via videoconferences at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, the collaboration was conceived as a symbol of unity and an artistic contribution to the fight against systemic racism. The collection is a reflection of the cultural shift that is actively taking place, and intended to provoke dialogue through design. Built around the imperative topics of equality, equity, and inclusion, the concept artfully weaves in the colors and stories of Cruz in America and Hardy in Paris.
The new models, presented under the V.C.II moniker, are casual versions of the first outing the pair launched in 2019, associating comfort, style, and meaningful stories to inspire the next generation.
The pair shared a description of each style that explains its symbolic character and visual storytelling:
- V.C.II MAJESTY: The standout, black-on-back high top represents the notion of black excellence. It is a classic sneaker, thought as a symbol of fortitude for young people of color. It can be incorporated in and elevates an existing wardrobe.
- V.C.II BORICUA: The harmony of blue, white and red is a tribute to the Puerto Rican flag. It is a sophisticated sneaker, thought as the final touch to a city dweller’s outfit.
- V.C.II SURVIVOR: The camouflage colorway evokes the spirit of the fight for social justice in the USA. The orange stripes pay homage to Victor Cruz’s father’s firefighter uniform. It is a fashion-forward sneaker, destined to unapologetically stylish men and women.
- V.C.II TRIBE: The color red tells the story of fortitude and of the importance of blood ties, real or symbolic. It is a fashion statement, made for those willing to stand out from the feet up.
