Design Notes:

The design features a burgundy wool upper with white leather accents, inspired by the suit worn by Ol’ Dirty Bastard during his now-famous award show speech. Gold metal details reference his Cartier glasses, while white laces with a screw-on tassel mechanism pay tribute to the white scarf he wore.

Each of these elements represented a first for the brand, from material choices to hardware execution. I developed the concept after closely studying ODB’s speech and identifying a single iconic photograph, working closely with the Estate of Ol’ Dirty Bastard to ensure accuracy and respect. The image was licensed directly from the photographer and extended into the packaging design, becoming the foundation for the storytelling and allowing the sneaker and packaging to function as a cohesive tribute rather than a surface-level reference.