Tom Man talks Dunks and Nike's convergence through subculture

Copywriting | Interviewing

Throughout the early 00’s Nike’s infiltration of the Japanese market created a number of highly lucrative, sought-after sneakers. Their CO.JP initiative signified a catalyst of consumers to gravitate towards the Dunk Low.

The Dunk Low’s inhabitation of the Asian island’s boutiques was a testing bed for detailed design, experimentation and collaboration, and it soon spread beyond that segmented market, setting down roots in New York, London and Paris among others.

Apart of the CO.JP exclusive collections in 2001, Nike released the ‘Ugly Duckling’ pack of Dunk Lows, comprised of a trio of sneakers, the ‘Plum’ was re-released back in 2020, with the ‘Veneer’ colourway second in line. Among the fast-flowing assembly of Dunk releases, the ‘Veneer’ is a standout mismatch of shades and vibrant touches – all adding together to mirror the original, 19 years on.

The classic silhouette is crafted in a plush suede fabrication, decorated in green, purple and brown shades. Nike’s signature swoosh branding runs across either side of the sneaker while classic Dunk details such as padded ankles and a perforated toe-box are as present as ever.