For Concepts creative director Deon Point, his longtime dream of collaborating with Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving has become a reality, and the inspiration behind this upcoming Nike Kyrie 5 collab may surprise you.
The Concepts x Nike Kyrie 5 “Ikhet” stems from the design of the ancient Egyptian pyramids and the Eye of Ra — a symbol of protection, royal power and good health — tattooed on Irving’s hand. The sneakers capture the essence of the pyramids sporting a sandy beige knit upper with hints of vibrant red — a favored color of ancient Egypt — on the tongue. The attention to detail extends to the Swoosh branding embossed with a diamondlike design. The Eye of Ra and stylized ram’s horns, a recurrent symbol of strength and creativity in ancient Egypt, appear on the heel counters with a contrasting sole in purple, representing the color of sunset seen against the pyramids.
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While exploring the history of the ancient pyramids, Point learned some interesting facts about the sacred monuments. “They still can’t figure how [each pyramid] stuck together, but it’s some of the strongest stuff ever made. I learned that the limestone glowing in the sun made the pyramids glow brighter than a diamond. And one thing that really got me: There was a 20-ton door on one of the pyramids that was so precise, you can’t squeeze a credit card through the seams — but it can be opened with one hand,” Point said in a statement.
The Celtics superstar calls the designers of the shoe “unbelievable creatives. What I love is that Concepts has always identified specific cultural touch points and pushed things that make them their own.”
The Concepts x Nike Kyrie 5 “Ikhet” will officially launch at select Nike Basketball retailers on Dec. 26.
Since opening its door in 1996, the Cambridge, Mass.-based sneaker boutique has been widely recognized in the sneaker community for some of its one-of-a-kind Nike SB designs, most notably the “Lobster” Dunk Low.
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