As 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, various brands are already kicking off the anticipation for dragon-inspired products. Nike has been leading the pack with an impressive collection of dragon-themed designs, steadily gaining visibility in the sneaker community. From the refined aesthetics of the Air Jordan 1, adorned with ‘dragon scales’, to the fun and festive Nike Dunk Low sneakers that beautifully encapsulate the essence of the Lunar New Year celebrations, Nike’s dragon-inspired collection is undeniably turning heads. However, to truly mark the occasion in style, the sneaker you absolutely need to get your hands on is the remarkable Green Dragon Air Force 1 Lux.
RELATED: Nike Air Force 1 Low ’07 Pro-Tech Gets Waterproof “University Gold” Look
Hear me out on this one. These stunning Air Force 1 customs, a collaboration from John Trottier (@johnnyskicks_) and Yuang Louis (@louis_yuang), could be the missing piece to your Lunar New Year look. The enchanting blend of fresh green and pure white hues, along with the elaborate dragon motifs, make these sneakers an undeniable masterpiece. Of course, we wouldn’t expect anything less from artists of Trottier and Louis’ calibre. So, let’s not delay breaking down the design details because there are bound to be many hidden gems to unpack in these beauties.
Straight off, let’s talk about the stunning satin covering of these sneakers. This lush material lends a luxurious and majestic look to the kicks, a quality further amplified by the intricate patterns that decorate them. The sneaker’s base – encompassing the toe box, tongue, and quarter panels – boasts an exquisite white satin finish. The finish showcases intricate patterns reminiscent of swirling clouds.
Complementing this, a regal emerald green satin drapes over the remaining parts of the sneaker, namely the mudguard, eye stays, collar, and heel. Adding to the visual harmony, a ribbon of white fabric re-emerges on the heel, providing a pleasing interruption amidst the expanse of emerald green.
The rich detailing on this custom sneaker continues, highlighted by golden touches. These include the Chinese embroidery on the tongue and heel and a distinct Chinese coin secured to the laces with a beaded string. Notably, even the detail stitching on the sneaker is crafted using opulent gold threading.
RELATED: Air Jordan 1 “Dirty Denim” Is The New Look Of 2024
Next up are the exquisite profile Swooshes. Imagined from luscious leather, these artistic marvels showcase a beautifully hand-carved dragon design, accompanied by puffy clouds and rolling water. To breathe life into these intricate depictions, they’re delicately hand-painted in a captivating green, gold, and blue harmony. Then, to draw more attention to the Swooshes, they have incorporated four red cross stitches onto the base of each one. As per my interpretation, this detail could potentially symbolise the number ‘4’ in 2024, although this is very likely not their intended meaning.
Finally, crowning off these sneakers are their creamy-hued laces and a corresponding midsole, perfectly paired with a vibrant green rubber outsole. With its intricate design and expertly crafted finish, the Green Dragon Air Force 1 Lux custom will surely capture the attention and admiration of sneaker enthusiasts.
Nevertheless, should you desire this unique design on a different sneaker silhouette, the creative maestros behind these custom kicks have also fashioned a visually impressive Air Jordan 1 version. Still, there’s definitely something uniquely captivating about the AF1 design. In my view, there’s no better embodiment of the “Year of the Dragon” in sneaker form than this mesmerising Green Dragon Air Force 1 Lux.
With that said, each pair of these beautifully designed sneakers is meticulously handcrafted and customised to your order. So, be prepared to invest a fair amount to own a pair of these luxe shoes. However, if you’re interested in grabbing a pair, don’t hesitate to contact Trottier (@johnnyskicks_) or Louis (@louis_yuang). They can be reached directly through Instagram or via the email addresses provided in their bios. Until then, be sure to follow us for more sneaker concepts and stunning customs like these.
RELATED: The Air Force 1 “Glacier” Is Super Clean