In case you missed it, here’s what happened this week in women’s fashion, sneakers, and sports + pop culture.
Fashion + Streetwear
Extra fluffy vibes from Extra Butter x UGG
If you haven’t noticed by now, UGG has been creeping its way back into the streets beyond its previous salt-stained, soggy reputation. Perhaps it’s Gen Z reviving the 2k trends for the better, but UGG has been setting the foundation for years with various streetwear collaborations. This month alone, they collaborated with Telfar, and this week they launched with Extra Butter.
The Southern California footwear company and the renowned boutique deliver a Renaissance-themed line that includes the Neumel “Marble” Boot, Tasman “Still Life” Slipper, Fluff It “Fresco” Slipper, and the Duffield Throw “Marble.”
Read our interview with Extra Butter’s Creative Director, Bernie Gross, here.
The Extra Butter x UGG collection is still available at ExtraButterNY.com and in-store at Extra Butter’s Long Island City and Lower East Side locations. As always, our sneaker monitors and release day strategy will have members ready for drop day.
Naomi Osaka joins Victoria’s Secret
It looks like Victoria’s Secret is coming back for its top spot in the lingerie category, announcing Naomi Osaka as its newest member of the VS Collective. Launched in June 2021, the VS Collective is an initiative committed to “influence and shape the future” of the brand to be more inclusive and empowering, and less catered to the male gaze. Osaka will be joining the ranks of other famous figures such as Hailey Bieber, Priyanka Chopra, Megan Rapinoe, Paloma Elsesser and more.
Osaka has cemented herself as a leader not only in her sport but in leading conversations surrounding mental health and social justice, so we are eager to see her contributions shaping the future of the brand, especially alongside some of the aforementioned names.
In an exclusive interview with WWD, Osaka shares her inspiration to join the Collective: “I remember going into [Victoria’s Secret] stores when I was a kid and wondering why none of the women on the wall looked like me.”
Victoria’s Secret has long been known (and criticized) for upholding an impossible standard of beauty and this rebrand is long overdue. After all, with the continuing rise in popularity of Rihanna’s widely celebrated Savage x Fenty brand, VS was likely feeling the pressure.
Sneakers
Nike and Swarovski Join Forces Once Again
Everything that glitters isn’t gold, but when it comes to sneakers, it’s usually Swarovski. Once again, the prestigious jewelry brand teams up with Nike to add their spin to the iconic Air Force 1 LXX.
The women’s release arrives in triple white and triple black, dressed with retroreflective Swarovski crystals set in stainless steel rivets.
Stay tuned for the Swarovski x Nike Air Force 1 LXX release on SNKRS and select retailers on December 2 for $450 each. As always, our sneaker monitors and release day strategy will have members ready for drop day.
One of the Most Powerful Women in Sports Works in Sneakers
Adweek recently announced its Most Powerful Women in Sports list, and 1 of the 30+ honorees on the list comes from a sneaker brand.
Andrea Perez, the Global Vice President and General Manager for Jordan Brand’s women’s division, lands a well-deserved spot on the list. Perez has been with Nike for over a decade, and has been holding her current position since 2017.
Jordan Brand’s women’s division has grown exponentially since Perez helped relaunch the category, walking the walk and putting real energy into WNBA athletes, collabs, apparel, and an extensive list of women’s exclusive sneakers – the list goes on. Let’s not forget our very recent partnership with Jordan Brand to showcase some of the SoleSavy Women’s Community.
“Responsibilities expanded to driving consumer innovation, insights and product creation, in addition to digital, marketing, finance, strategy and merchandising,” according to Perez’s LinkedIn.
Perez, who was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and played soccer and softball at Tecnológico de Monterrey, was also instrumental with Nike’s soccer division with her roles from Sr. Global Brand Director to General Manager of North America.
As sneaker culture continues to grow, we can surely expect to see more women from sneaker brands crossing over into these categories.
Sports + Pop Culture
A Dunk Fit For [ROY]alty.
2021 WNBA ROY Award Ceremony! 🏆Thank you to @nyliberty @snipes_usa & @WNBA for an amazing night! Special shout-out to @nikebasketball for the beauuutifuuul custom shoes! They’re soo cuteeee, i love them 🥰🤩 Rookie year officially in the books! ☑️ #ROY pic.twitter.com/cJxaUcPCIi
— michaela onyenwere 🤍 (@monyenwere_) November 18, 2021
The WNBA recently wrapped up its legendary 25th season but its momentum continues and we love to see it. This week, Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere of the New York Liberty unveiled a special gift from Nike: a celebratory Nike Dunk Low dipped in the Liberty’s signature seafoam green accented with her jersey number in black.
Onyenwere was the 6th overall draft pick, averaging 8.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 32 games (29 starts) and led all WNBA rookies in scoring, field goals made, and three-pointers made. She was second among rookies in total rebounds.
The Next Generation is Her.
Last weekend, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nike teamed up to host a two-day basketball event titled It’s Her Shot – on the famed courts of Venice Beach, California to empower young female athletes through the purpose and power of sport.
The free event was geared towards girls ages 8 through 18 and included open play sessions, courtside conversations, shooting contests, giveaways, and special appearances by basketball legends Lisa Leslie and Seimone Augustus.
Dick’s and Nike are committed to helping girls reach their full potential both on and off the court, and also presented two $10,000 Sports Matter grants to The Boys and Girls Club of Metro LA and The Peace Players.
Beauty
Pharrell Williams Humanrace Body Care
Humanrace, Pharrell Williams’ skincare brand, is expanding its offering into the body care category, beginning with… soap-free soaps. The Humanrace Body Bars are created with soap-free ingredients to keep your skin’s natural pH levels and are designed to be used in tandem for cleansing and exfoliating. The Reenergizing Whiteclay Body Bar is intended for daily use, while the Energy Channeling Charcoal Body Bar is intended for exfoliation, 2-3 times a week. According to the Humanrace website, these two bars “work together to gently balance, hydrate and smooth your skin without stripping moisture.”
“We’ve spent the last year educating people on how to take care of their skin and adhere to a routine, but we believe that the routine doesn’t stop with your face, you need to care for your body too. Your body deserves its own time,” Williams said in a press release.
The Humanrace Body Bars will retail for $16 and $18 USD respectively, beginning on November 22 via Humanrace’s web store. This launch will also include a ceramic dish hand-crafted in Japan, retailing for $75 USD.
