Combining his passion for running and art, esteemed illustrator and toy designer James Jarvis approached Nike with an offer we just couldn’t refuse. Enjoy the result below:

Onwards from AKQA on Vimeo

Way back in 1998 James Jarvis designed a plastic toy figure for the fashion label Silas, thereby inadvertently playing a pivotal role in launching the designer toy phenomena that has taken over the shelves of all self-respecting purveyors of urban style. Through his company Amos Toys he has since released nearly 100 vinyl characters, each bearing his unique, fun and somewhat whimsical design signature.

In his own words, the above short film (directed by Richard Kenworthy, music courtesy of Caribou) was inspired by ‘the transcendent, almost psychedelic simple act of running’. This is his first venture into animation and, judging from the overwhelmingly positive response, probably not his last.

Read more here.

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As mentioned in our previous post, Nike Sportswear has just launched Nike Cortez: Innovation on Innovation Pack: a limited edition double pack featuring the classic nylon Cortez from 1972 and the brand new Cortez Flywire Motion. Of course, a product like this deserved a bit of extra special attention, which it received in the form of the The Cortez Brothers, a completely fresh character duo, starring in their own animation short.

Created with the critically acclaimed animation collective, Tokyo Plastic, the movie gives life to the story of two closely-related – and very special – sneakers. Although there’s quite an age gap between The Cortez Brothers, they’ve managed to sort out some initial sibling rivalry. While the older of the two finds confidence in his long-established, legendary status, the younger Cortez loves the fact that he’s made of lighter, stronger stuff.

But why read about it? Go watch the full little movie at www.nike.com

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In addition to inspiring sighs of desire in sneaker fans around the world, the Nike Cortez: Innovation to Innovation Pack also launched The Cortez Brothers on their road to cinematic stardom. Featuring both the groundbreaking 1972 original Nike Cortez running sneaker and this year’s revolutionary Nike Cortez Fly Motion, this pack packs a double punch.

The original Cortez was first released in 1972, way back when Nike was still operating under the name Blue Ribbon Sports. It proved to be an immediate hit with athletes as it provided the first full-length dual-density foam midsole, offering more comfort and shock absorption, while a herringbone rubber outsole provided increased flexibility and improved traction.

With the near-infinite possibilities provided by current technology the Cortez has now been remastered into an even lighter, stronger and more comfortable running shoe. Thanks to Flywire, an ultra strong, paper-thin series of interwoven cables, the upper materials of the Cortez Fly Motion has been stripped to the bare minimum and the Cortez dual-density EVA midsole was replaced with injected Phylon, proving that lighter can be both stronger and offer more support. Although still instantly recognizable as the Cortez, the Cortez Fly Motion has its feet planted firmly in the 21st century, so to speak.

More about the up-and-coming Cortez Brothers in our next post…

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Shawn Mortensen, celebrated photographer, artist and photojournalist, passed away on April 16 at the age of 43. Perhaps best known internationally for his iconic portraits of the famous and as a visual scribe of the LA nightlife, Gallery on 4th will remember him most for his inspired work on The AM 90 Sound project.

In a career spanning an extraordinarily productive twenty years, he travelled the world photographing some of the most prominent cult figures, pop heroes and urban artists of our time. He seemed to have an instinct for recognising legends in the making, photographing Snoop Dogg when he was barely 19, for instance. His list of subjects also includes the likes of Tupac, James Brown, The Notorious BIG, Bjork, Vivienne Westwood, The Beastie Boys, Gwen Stefani, Marcello Mastroianni and Keith Richards – to name but a few.

But he was far more than just an exceptionally talented celebrity photographer. In his 2007 book, Out of Mind, these portraits of the cream of culture-makers are startlingly juxtaposed with evocative photo essays that reveal the coarse reality of urban street life, the ghettoes of Jamaica and the Zapatista movement of Mexico.

His collaboration on The AM 90 Sound remains a highlight for all those privileged enough to have been part of the project.

Rest in peace, Shawn.

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The Nike Air Max 90 Current TZ follows fresh in the footsteps of the last two Air Max 90 Current colourways that dropped at Gallery on 4th for the Air Max 90 Sound project.

This limited edition Quickstrike sports a mellowed out Black and Neo Turquoise colourway – ‘specially for the OG sneakerheads out there. It features black and mesh on the toebox, Neo Turquoise accents on the swoosh and laces and sits on a black midsole and medium grey outsole.

It’s a worldwide Nike Sportswear drop, exclusively to tier zero accounts like Gallery on 4th.

So you know where you can come to get yours.

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