Much of Nike's current marketing campaign around the retro Cortez silhouette focuses on reminding footwear consumers of the shoe's beloved status in California. The latest effort comes via a collaboration with tattooer Mister Cartoon, who's worked with Nike on a number of sneakers over the years.
Here, he's given three versions of the Cortez: one in quilted navy that nods to lowrider culture in Los Angeles, one in white with a hand-drawn "Cortez" hit across the upper, and one in black with Nike's "LA" logo. The trio of Mister Cartoon x Nike Cortezes releases on July 14 at 10 a.m.
"These shoes, you're able to go anywhere [in them]. They represent what I grew up with in the streets of L.A.," said the artist in a piece on Nike SNKRS. "I see the new kids embracing the Cortez because of the simplicity and because of the classic history to it."
Cartoon has worked on this silhouette before, having released this pair in 2005.
Nike's most recent reference to the Cortez's spot in West Coast sneaker lore came via a two-pack tied to Compton and Long Beach, respectively.
