Bodega Recap Their Collaborations From The Decade
01 Jan 2020, 12:00
Bodega are no strangers when it comes to collaborations. They are undisputed champions of designs and the kings of concept. The store constantly releases colourways and models that push boundaries and get people queuing. So for each of the 10 past years, Bodega has paid homage to one collaboration that was significant to the brand and store in the year it was released. These collaborations span various brands and even items, but all remain true to the Bodega way of doing things.
See the Bodega decade recap below as well as short description about each milestone from the store!
Bodega x Vans Vault 'Real Tree' Chukka
The store's first ever collaboration with Vans outfitted the Chukka, a 'niche' silhouette compared to universal icons like the Slip-On, Old Skool, Authentic and Sk8-Hi, in a tonal, nubuck body with real tree camouflage canvas 'guts.' The outdoors utility theme was emphasized with the addition of a Zippo lighter, can coozie and knife, along with a Carhartt manufactured dust bag. It's telling that at the beginning of the decade, that these accessories didn't merit their own separate headlines.
Bodega x Nike Air Footscape Motion 'Night Cat' Pack
Bodega x Nike Air Footscape Motion 'Night Cat' Pack
To celebrate Bodega's fifth anniversary, a collaborative effort with Nike produced a trio of Air Footscapes known as the Night Cat pack. The standout pair from among the effortlessly elegant suede and leather constructions was the global introduction of the Air Footscape Woven Chukka. Before the addition of the Chukka's neoprene collar, previous woven models were purely low cut silhouettes.
Bodega x Ironlak 'Murdered Out' Pack
Bodega x Ironlak 'Murdered Out' Pack
Even though graffiti and street art are de rigueur now, the number of people who 'appreciate' this art far outnumbers the amount of people who create it. A collaborative variety of Ironlak black was purely for the latter group.
Bodega x New Balance 577 'HYPRCAT'
Bodega x New Balance 577 'HYPRCAT'
The first collaboration between Bodega and New Balance subverted the staid image of the renowned running shoe manufacturers, which at the time, was still unusual. Punctuated by a surprise performance by rapper Action Bronson at a rock climbing gym, and a line around the block for the shoe's actual release that prompted shutdown threats by the local constabulary, the HYPRCAT was a landmark success in the new era of hype.
Bodega x Reebok Instapump Fury OG 'Full Contact'
A celebration of the trailblazing Instapump Fury's 20th anniversary, saw elements of the original design displaced, while a repeating pattern across the caging added colour and range to the already bold design. Although the marketing concept underwent revision due to 'overt' drug references, the end result was a fitting tribute.
Bodega x Saucony Elite 'Pattern Recognition' Pack
Saucony Pattern Recognition - One of Bodega's earliest collaborative partners, Saucony, added to their deep (over 30 pairs by this point) repertoire of co-branded designs with a celebration of carefree 90s design. Although, you couldn't store your homework in it.
Bodega x Asics Gel-Classic 'On the Road'
Bodega x Asics Gel-Classic 'On the Road'
The year long celebration of Bodega's ten year anniversary kicked off with a resurrection of the Asics Gel Trendy silhouette. Re-dubbed the Gel Classic, the mix of dusty earth tones and soothing pastels, in a luxurious suede construction defied expectations of what a shoe released in the winter could be. In addition to custom packaging, pairs also included a disposable camera, for capturing the wearer's own road trip adventures.
Bodega x Albino and Preto
With the opening of the Series storefront for certain special events came a collaborative project that showed just how far reaching streetwear had become. A capsule collection with Albino & Preto, esteemed makers of jiu-jitsu gear and apparel was made for a very specific, and very responsive audience.
Bodega x Reebok 'Shanghai'
Although China is an obvious and enthusiastic consumer of sneakers and streetwear, it seemed like there was precious little content specifically produced for this market. The Innersect convention brought global energy and culture directly to fans in Shanghai. In conjunction with Reebok, Bodega produced a range of footwear and apparel for Innersect.
Bodega x New Balance 'No Days Off'
Bodega x New Balance 'No Days Off'
In 2019, there are multiple new collaborations literally every week. Capturing the imagination requires upping the ante. With the return of the original and the introduction of modernized offshoots, the legendary 997 was on everyone's mind. A multi release concept based around actually using and enjoying your shoes featured multi faceted content, and set new standards for Bodega releases.