As we all know, Nike has always been making Chinese Zodiac Collections since a couple of years back. This year, 2012 is the ‘Year of the Dragon’ for people of Chinese ethnicity. Chinese believe that the dragon is a holy being like such as God.
Nike will release 4 pairs for this line including: Air Force 1, Air Jordan 2012, Kobe VII, and the Zoom KD IV. In addition, Nike also added some features in their designs by having some type of symbolic meaning into each pair of shoes.
- The Air Force 1’s are inspired by the dragon robe and has cloud-and-dragon patterns on the tongue. It also featured a dragon design on the black silk texture.
- The Jordan 2012 are inspired by the largest single-digit number, which is 9. 9 is the sign of utmost power and only emperors can wear robe with 9 dragons on it, it also represents the royal family.
- The Kobe VII is inspired by his passion in the Chinese culture, particular in Chinese martial art; Kung Fu and inspiration from Kobe’s Italian roots and Kung Fu moves that have been filmed in Italy. It has Italy’s tri-color featuring in it as well as the matrix design on the upper with special code spelling the message for Kobe.
- Zoom KD 4 is made the fact that Kevin Durant is born in a year of the dragon and also show his powerful basketball ability on the courts. Since 2012 Dragon is the year of the water dragon, the Nike design team incorporates watery elements into the Nike Zoom KD IV.
There isn’t an official release date to be found as of right now, but we are assuming they will be released mid January, if not then at the end of the month. Chinese New Year this year begins on January 23rd 2012. Read more about this annual holiday and tradition here.
Nike “Year of the Dragon” Collection
