Nike Kwondo 1 G-Dragon Peaceminusone Panda

Sneakers_

17 April 2023

Words by Community member @lejoant

Tell us about your personal connection with the Kwondo 1 silhouette.

I have been a massive fan of BIGBANG since their early days when they took the world by storm as one of the most popular groups in South Korea. When I heard that BIGBANG leader G-Dragon was collaborating with Nike for the Air Force 1, I knew I had to get my hands on a pair. I was lucky enough to secure one from the HQ. What makes this pair special is the hidden artwork that gets revealed the more you wear them.

Following two iterations of the Air Force 1, the fashion icon now has his own silhouette, known as the Kwondo 1. This new design exudes a smart casual vibe that perfectly complements his aesthetic.

I think that this is a perfect way for G-Dragon fans to emulate his style, particularly with the emphasis on the freedom of expression through the silhouette.

What are your thoughts on music artists and their brands collaborating with sneaker brands?

Collaborations between music artists and sneaker brands have been a common occurrence for many years. In my opinion, the more successful partnerships come from artists who have a greater design input, as opposed to just using their name and brand to tap into the music artist's fan base.

However, sneaker collaborations are often produced in limited quantities, which can lead to a sense of exclusion among fans who are unable to access these exclusive items. Therefore, I feel there needs to be a balance in accessibility so that both sneakerheads and the artists' fan base have an equal chance of getting their hands on these sneaker collaborations.

Describe how Korean culture has influenced the sneaker industry.

With the rise of K-Pop and the ‘Hallyu’ (Korean Wave), Korean culture has had a much bigger influence on the sneaker and wider fashion industries in recent years. The Air Jordan 3 Seoul was highly sought after upon its release as a commemoration of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games and MJ's NBA Slam Dunk victory in the same year. Stores like Kasina have also had hugely successful collaborations with the Dunk Lows and Air Max 1s. Despite being founded in Italy, Fila is now a South Korean brand since being acquired, and it was not too long ago that Fila Disruptors filled the streets.

On a personal note, a Korean friend from university introduced me to the world of sneakers. Limited edition sneakers were much harder to come by in Seoul, so when the Air Jordan 1 Breds were released in 2016, I woke up early and queued up (when it was still possible to queue for sneakers). Fortunately, there were enough pairs for everyone, so I was able to re-join the queue and purchase a second pair for my friend. Since then, my collection has grown, and I have become involved in the sneaker community as well.

G-Dragon’s ongoing collaboration with Nike has delivered three releases so far, each seeing much success. A fan favourite being the PEACEMINUSONE Air Force 1 ‘Paranoise’. How does the Kwondo 1 silhouette compare?

Both the Air Force 1 ‘Paranoise’ and the Kwondo 1 have unique and distinctive designs that reflect G-Dragon's creative vision. The Kwondo 1 leans more towards sartorial footwear, making it a good choice for dressing up while still repping the Swoosh. If you prefer streetwear and a casual look, the AF1 collaborations will fit right in. So, there are different options for G-Dragon fans depending on the style you're going for. The thicker midsole of the Kwondo 1 might even give a slight advantage to shorter kings out there, myself included.

What’s your thoughts on the PEACEMINUSONE x Nike Kwondo 1 G-Dragon ‘Panda’?

The ‘pandamonium’ has taken over these days, and it's no surprise that the Kwondo 1 has received the same treatment. Featuring a signature daisy logo embroidered on the heel, detachable tongue with PEACEMINUSONE branding and emblem, and a unique outsole that leaves daisy-shaped prints, this shoe is easy to pair with any outfit due to its neutral colours. The black and white combination also symbolises yin and yang, creating balance and fitting into the wider theme of PEACEMINUSONE, which strives towards a perfect utopia. Personally, I think the ‘Panda’ looks much better than the first all-white pair.

What would you love to see next for PEACEMINUSONE x Nike and what would that collaboration look like?

Based on their previous collaborations, it's clear that PEACEMINUSONE and Nike can create unique designs that capture GD's artistic vision. Looking toward future collaborations, it would be exciting to see how GD incorporates traditional Korean cultural elements or infuses his music and fashion influences into the Foamposite silhouette.

Are the any other key players from the scene that you believe should get their own collaboration next?

I don't want to be criticised by other Kpop fans, but Blackpink is possibly the biggest Kpop girl group at the moment. The members represent high-fashion labels such as Dior, Chanel, Celine, and YSL, and serve as ambassadors for adidas. I believe that adidas could capitalise on their fashion influence and collaborate with them to reach a wider audience, especially among the female sneaker community.

Another person I have in mind is Sandara Park, formerly a member of 2NE1 and also one of GD's labelmates. As a sneakerhead herself, I believe she would be able to create designs that appeal to other sneakerheads.