As we enter 2020, we’re ready for a slew of new sneaker releases, retro drops, and collaboration announcements. That also means new rookies entering the sneaker game.
Every year, a select number of celebrities, athletes, designers, and cultural influencers finally get their first shot at a sneaker deal to make their mark on the industry. Sometimes we’re overwhelmed with hype, but just as often they brick. So before we get too excited looking ahead to what’s to come in 2020, let’s reflect on the rookies that won us over in 2019.
Melody Ehsani
Los Angeles-based designer Melody Ehsani is well-known for her eponymous fashion and accessories line and if you’re a real one you may know her as one of the OG’s of Fairfax retail. But in 2019 she leveled up with her first sneaker deal with Jordan Brand that premiered as part of the Fearless collection. She continues to win us over with her message of female empowerment and self-expression through her designs. “If you knew what you had was rare, you would never waste it,” reads an inspirational message hand lettered on the midsole. If for any reason you were living under a rock during Melody Ehsani’s entrance to the sneaker game, you may have caught these same AJ1’s worn by Chris Rock on Eddie Murphy’s return to SNL to close out the year.
Colin Kapernick
Two years ago Colin Kapernick became the face of Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign after his silent protest on the sidelines that made national headlines. Because of this, the Colin Kaepernick Air Force 1’s were a highly anticipated sneaker release of 2019. They were originally teased when Kapernick and Eric Reid showed up to a workout in Atlanta in a never before seen AF1. It had us all scratching our heads. Later, Reid would take to social media to confirm what we had all thought: Colin had collaborated on his first official release with Nike. The sneakers’ details revealed themselves to be especially personal, including a portrait of Kaepernick on the heel tab, the date of his first kneeling protest of police brutality on the outsole of the right sneaker, his personal logo on the tongue, and his number on the hang tag.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
While not officially a rookie anymore, few other athletes made as big a mark in 2019 as NBA star and MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not only did he get his first shoe this year, but he became the first European-born player to land a signature sneaker deal with Nike. The resulting Freak 1 sneaker showed off how he was influenced by his past, his present, and his family. From the colors of the Greek flag to the meandering pattern, the design on the Nike Zoom Freak 1 “Greece” pays adoration to his country. The sneakers gained quick popularity last year on the court, worn by players like Royce O’Neal, Tyler Hero, Eric Paschell, Bam Adebayo, Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, and of course Giannis himself.
