And1 Entourage Mids – The "5 ELEMENTS" pack

[Shoe News – 10.13.12] – And1 Entourage Mids – The "5 ELEMENTS" pack

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: AND1 Basketball (via e-mail)

Hey AND Juans..some breaking news courtesy of AND1 USA.  As per their recent e-mail, they will be releasing soon five (5) unique colorways of the upcoming Entourage Mids, and it will be called the 5 Elements pack.  Check out the group image below:

Earlier images of the Entourage Mid showed an all-black version.  However, the 5 Elements packs derives its very relatable concept from Oriental roots and as for the designs used,  AND1 USA further explains:

“This is from Eastern Philosophy, Life and Martial Arts.  Earth, Water, Metal (gold,) Wood and Fire are the elements and represent different forms of energy that constantly flow between each other. 

We have put the Kanji symbol for each element on the heel of each SKU in addition to doing these in dynamic trend colors that tie back to each element.  In Japan, and possibly Korea, the Element symbols also indicate the days of the week from Tuesday to Saturday as well when used in conjunction with the kanji for day (日).  Fire, water, wood, gold/metal, and earth each represent Tuesday through Saturday respectively. We use this to show the depth of the 5 elements story, as well as how it is applicable cross-culturally in Asia.”

Personally, I think this is reminiscent of the Taichi Mid concept back in the early 2000’s (and recently back in 2010, with the introduction of the Taichi TGRs) – wherein Eastern philosophy is one of the key influences in producing excellent basketball sneakers of which AND1 is known for. 

Furthermore, I like the use of the number five (5) in this set – which for me represents the five players inside the basketball court.  While maintaining a unique set of skills for the position that each plays, every basketball player on the court has to mesh with the team’s concept of playing together towards a winning direction.  How’s that for a basketball tie-in?

I will try to get more info about the retail price and actual release date.  For now, check out more individual images below:

If you want more And1 news and updates, follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  Also feel free to e-mail us at and1pinas@gmail.com.  And that’s the 411, And Juan.

The AND1 Entourage Mid in Black/Black colorway, 

as shared in the official Facebook fanpage.

AND1 2013 Product Preview - Part 2

[Shoe Session – 7.16.12] – AND1 2013 Product Preview  - Part 2

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Diane Skaer and Rob Purvy (via email)

Greetings, And Juans.   Continuing this two-part blog about upcoming AND1 products for 2013, I’ll be sharing with you a ton of images of new footwear.  But before anything else, feel free to check out Part One (published last July 9, 2012 – click HERE for the article) that featured AND1 apparel and accessories.

All of the images posted below were taken last May 2012, when the AND1 Sales Conference was held in Madrid, Spain.  Again, big thanks to AND1 USA (thru AND1 President Rob Purvy) and Diane Skaer for these pictures.

Here are some “sole” highlights, that I think are worthy of noting:

• A lot of performance and off-court pairs will feature mesh-style outer material similar to the locally released AND1 Elev8 Mid, and will be coupled with L2G airbags that is already available to the Empire Mids.

• Recurring themes – such as the Empire 2.0 Mids and Rocket 3.0 Mids are coming.

• Straps are making a return as well, with the upcoming Guardian Mid as a prime example.

• Most importantly, one of the most popular AND1 shoe models of all time, as well as one of its best-selling pairs, will be making a comeback.  Say “Welcome Back” to the postgame trailblazer, the Too Chillins (slated April 2013).

Truly exciting times are ahead as far as these sneak previews are concerned, and with an aggressive marketing campaign due out soon, AND1 is making its presence felt once more.  Given that 2013 is the brand’s 20^th anniversary, I’m not really surprised.  In fact, I was expecting this one, plus a few more surprises from the brand that was born in the streets of Philadelphia.

If you want more And1 news, updates, and, shoe sightings/sales on the fly, follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  And that’s the 411, And Juan.

AND1 2013 Product Preview - Part 1

[Shoe Session – 7.9.12] – AND1 2013 Product Preview  - Part 1

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Diane Skaer and Rob Purvy, AND1 USA (via email)

Greetings, And Juans.  Last May 2012, executives and distributors of the AND1 brand from all over the world, led by no other than the AND1 President - Rob Purvy, converged and held their annual sales conference in Madrid, Spain.  Upcoming AND1 products, from shirts to jackets, jerseys to shorts, sweatpants, socks and shoes (both performance and off-court), were on full display for the review of everyone who were present.  And now, thanks to AND1 USA, I was able to secure some images (through the lens of Diane Skaer) that I can share to everyone and provide a sneak preview of what is to come for 2013.

Part One of my two-part blog feature will focus on AND1 apparel and accessories, and Part Two will be published next week (July 16), which will include images of the upcoming footwear for 2013.  I’ve posted all of the images below, and will let them speak for themselves.

A couple of shots of new AND1 shorts from 

the official AND1 Instagram account (@and1_basketball).

Jacket with matching sweatpants, new AND1 cap, shorts, and an upcoming bag.

Peep the shoe.  If you're asking me if it's coming back..IT IS.

If these caps reach the Philippines, I'm a happy camper.

 Socks bearing the updated AND1 logo.

Compression gear.

We got balls.  Lots of them.  Big ones too.

If you want more And1 news, updates, and, shoe sightings/sales on the fly, follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  Also feel free to e-mail us at and1pinas@gmail.com, send us images of yourself rocking And1 gear/footwear, your personal And1 collection or even your own mixtape.  We might post that in the fanpage or even publish a blog article about you.

And that’s the 411, And Juan.

Watch out for Part Two next week!