Last Saturday, I dropped by the AJ XI 25th Anniversary drop over at Hideout. As it is an easy pass for me, I had no sense of urgency to wake up earlier than I should’ve to get in line for five pairs (yes, they only sold 5, and not 6 which was reported earlier). So I walked into the mall around 11, with a big grin checking out the line for the Jordan hopefuls. But what really caught my eye were the shoes on fellow sn’ead Mikko. He told me about these Zig Techs a few weeks back but damn! They are fresh. They are funky but they are wearable. It will shock the first time you see ‘em but it grows on you. He said they’re really comfortable and that was enough for me. I’ll have more info on the Zigs over the weekend.

Hey guys, interested? A friend wants to sell this barely used pair of Quickstrike SBs. It’s a size 10 and the asking price is 5,500 Php. Comment or email me at martin@solemovement.com for inquiries. It’ll be hard to find this pair around town (most likely, it’ll be from a reseller too).

If you’re not living under a rock, you should be aware that the world-famous sneaker customizer/artist Mark Ong aka SBTG is in town to promote his Circus of Mutants line from DC Shoe USA. A couple of months back I had a 1 of 1 made for myself and I was so happy with the turnout. I had some time with Mark to talk shop. Most of questions I’m sure you’ve read somewhere before. In fact, the guys over at Clavel have him for this month’s issue (and another interview the month prior).

It was only yesterday I got to meet Mark in person. Actually, I think we met sometime before, but I guess I was forgettable and still a young’n in the game. Dude’s just awesome. He really puts you at ease. No diva-like attitude and just straight cool. Before I get into bromance here,  here’s my interview with SBTG:

Sole Movement: How old were you when you started customizing your sneakers?
SBTG: As early as 8 yrs old and professionally about 23.

SM:  Why the name SBTG?
SBTG: It was a name I gave myself back in 97. I liked how the abbreviation SBTG looked, other than that there’s no  particular reason.

SM: I’ve read in other articles that you started customizing to fix your busted up sneakers; but when did you find out that you were actually good at it and make it into a business?
SBTG: I found out when I was fixing sneakers back when i was 9 that I can’t really “mess up” on it, there is always a way around it. So I naturally made it into a business / my life when i was 23.

SM: How do you decide on materials to use on your sneaker creations?
SBTG: Its seasonal and whenever I get inspiration to use those materials to achieve something.

SM: Your creations are heavily inspired by military/camo designs. Why so?
SBTG: I was in the military for 2.5yrs and I was intrigued by its aesthetics plus when I saw what Maharishi did, I knew I could do something about it.

SM: Most of your creations are with the AF1 and Dunks. Why those silhouettes in particular? Do you do other brands other than Nike and DC?
SBTG: I grew up on those silhouettes and I love wearing them so I spent a lot of time “designing them in my head” on how they would look like. Yes I have worked with New Balance too. Basically if the project excites both parties then we have a winner!

SM: What would be the collaboration you’re most proud of?
SBTG: It would have to be every single that I am doing NOW, I always try kick it up a notch. Right now, I am enjoying the Circus of Mutants theme very much.

mark rockin’ his DC creation- Circus of Mutants

SM: What would be the most difficult client request you’ve ever had? Have you ever had nightmarish clients before?
SBTG: I cant think of a difficult client request as they all ask for designs that we pulled out before. Sometimes they request for too much design in 1 shoe but I guess they are just too excited and we advise them accordingly. Nightmarish customers, there has been less than a handful. there was one who demanded an email response 2 or more times daily. He even threatened us. LOL….

SM: I don’t want to say I got SBTGd into it, but can you tell our readers the added value of owning a 1 of 1 rather than buying so many limited edition releases?
SBTG: Well it really depends on how u look at it and how u personally like it. We take a lot of time designing our releases and we make sure those designs are made with integrity. They are usually more well known and have a story or concept going along with it which gives it value.  If you request a 1 of based on our previous design and adding or altering it a lil, you get to experience the basis of our craft, on how and why SBTG started. Both are great, so you choose.

SM: How long does it usually take to produce a pair?
SBTG: 1 day to a week.

SM: Now with our recent creation, the Sole Movement AM1s. What was your approach?
SBTG: It was basically to evolve the the AM1 premiums into a Regal Military shoe. It is a very Maharishi kinda approach.

SM: I know I gave you more or less a free hand in designing them. What pushed you to go this direction?
SBTG: It just made perfect sense to do it this way after our conversation. It was organic and the only way to go..

SM: You tagged my shoe as Disruptor. My friend’s shoe (Sable Dunk High) is Private Press. Where do you get all these cool names? Is it just something that pops up over the course of designing them?
SBTG: Yea, I go through this disorganized library of names in my head that influences , inspires, sounds right based from indirect sources and experiences in my life.

SM: If you were to do a collab with another artist, who would it be?
SBTG: It would be with whoever can come together to produce something exciting that we individually cant achieve.

SM:  After seeing your interesting designs, budding sneakerheads would eventually take the customizing route. What advice can you give them?
SBTG: Go all the way out. Be patient. Its all about beautifying the world and not who’s dick is bigger and you have the power to choose at every moment to be, NOWhere or NOwhere.

SM:  Last, what can we look forward to from Royalefam and SBTG for 2010?
SBTG: We can look forward to a commitment to beautify Asia’s street community from us. We are gonna help stores and brands around the region step it up!

Mark and MikkoMike Love, Mikko, Edong, and MarkDC Shoe Event, BHS 3/9DC Shoe Event, BHS 3/9DC Shoe Event, BHS 3/9

For more on SBTG and Royalefam, log on to www.royalefam.com or sbtgcustomkicks.com. Catch SBTG tonight at the last DC shoe event over at Manor, Eastwood City.

It was a pretty busy Saturday for me, as I had sneaker-related events from the morning onwards. I actually begged off the last one as I was back near my neck of the woods by 9pm. I’m a basketball fan (well, I do work for a TV network that has a whole channel dedicated to basketball) to the truest sense and skills competitions are always fun to watch. One of the events I attended last Saturday was for adidas’ TS Supernatural Shootout. adidas gathered the 48 grand finalists of the TS Supernatural Shootout at the SM Megamall last March 6, Saturday to determine which basketball aficionado will watch the Orlando Magic face off against the Chicago Bulls live in the US. I would’ve wanted to join but I believe my basketball skills have deserted me already. Like MJ, I leave the game of basketball in good hands.  Anyways…

Before the Grand Basketball Shootout, adidas patrons, who availed of the new TS Supernatural basketball shoe, battled it out in participating adidas stores and sports shops. Patrons joined the promo by shooting at least five mini-balls in one minute. Highest scorers throughout the promo period, from February 1 to 29, from each participating store were then invited for the Grand Basketball Shootout. Participants were able to track daily standings of the TS Supernatural Shootout in the adidas Philippines fan page in www.facebook.com (Search “adidas Philippines” in Facebook).

Harnessing the proven engineering of the human foot, the new adidas TS Supernatural basketball shoe makes you lighter, more stable, and faster!  Rounded edges, a fit form collar, and EVA tongue allow for a better fit and feel. An ultra low profile and a Torsion plate provide superior stability, while the use of adiprene propulsion foam under the forefoot gives you maximum lift on your way to the rim. And, at a feather-light weight of 366 grams, the new TS Supernatural basketball shoes give you maximum jump height.

After a three-hour shoot out (first they trimmed the list down to 10, then to 3 ), Gerardo Papa, who scored 31 points in one minute, emerged as the winner of the adidas TS Supernatural Grand Basketball Shootout. adidas awarded Papa with two roundtrip tickets to the US to watch Dwight and DRose show their wares on the hardcourt this week.  As part of his prize, he also received hotel accommodations and pocket money worth $1,000. Billion Enriquez (28 points) and Karl Chan (23 points) won first and second place respectively. I was witness to Gerardo’s consistent showing. He in fact had the second highest total among all contestants during the elimination period (at all the stores) and then kept knocking them down all afternoon long. Billion almost stole the show during the Finals but the ball didn’t bounce his way in the end. Mr. Papa deserved the prize and I’m sure he will enjoy the game in a couple of days.

For more information on the TS Supernatural Shootout, join the adidas Philippines fan page on www.facebook.com.

I’ve featured a lot of basketball, running and special issues on the site. For this post, let me focus on another popular shoe that was all the rage way back in the late 80’s/early 90’s. These are the trainers. Cross-trainers, XTrainers, Trainers, whatever. The Trainer was popularized back in the day when it was being endorsed by multi-sport star Bo Jackson. That was also the time when Nike pushed the campaign “Bo Knows”.  Well, that was that. Bo used thr Trainer 1s and immediately after the SC Trainers. 20 years after, Nike has produced a revamped version of the shoe, now on sale at Nike stores nationwide. At first, they looked horrible to me. It felt like it was a stretch to use flywire (again) and place a visible air window by the heel. But the more I look at it, the more I’m gravitating towards it.

There are currently two colorways available for the Trainer SC 2010s, with a third one on the way, coming out on Wednesday. Now, the March 10 release is a special one, as it is Manny’s 4th exclusive shoe. Unlike the previous releases, the SC 2010 MPs should be out at other stores- Parks, Stadiums, and the like. Just make sure to pick ‘em up when they’re out. But don’t sleep on these two CWs as well. I actually like the Whte/Orange/Purple ones as they are reminiscent of the shoe that came out way back when. The white/blue version is for all you square safe dudes that don’t want to push the envelope with your sneaker look.I’m just sayin’, but both CWs are dope as hell. If you’re not down with it, it’s cool. You’re entitled to your opinion. All I’m saying was that I thought they were fugly. But once I saw them up close, it’s a whole different ball game.

Now, if you’re not feelin’ the SC 2010, here’s another Trainer 1 SL low that might be to your liking. Colors are safe, the blazin’ orange is not out there and should work well with any gym get up. Once again, the Flywire, Max Air and Diamond FLX come together on this shoe to give you superior comfort and flexibility while workin’ out. There are a couple of colorways for the Trainer 1 SLs but this is one of my favorites. I can’t seem to find the other photo I took, but I should have it up one of these days.

So there, Trainers from Nike are as cool as you can get. If you are workin’ out with the sweltering heat, might as well look good while you’re at it.

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Alright guys, here’s a couple of Love/Hate pairs from the Jordan Brand. Obviously the Oreos came out early this week but here are two pairs that should get more love than people are giving them. The Air Jordan 1 Dark Obsidian’s dope. Among all the colorways (and I do mean the hundreds of Js coming out of the woodwork), this is one of the better ones for early 2010. The only knock I have with the 1s is that it came out with all the other releases. It came out the same time with Oreos, Six Rings MS, the other 6s, you won’t have enough money to cop these. These are straight.

They also released the Black UNC 2010s as well. Now, this I can take. Even though they still have the clear window on it, it’s a better shoe and colorway. I know the first one’s classic Jordan, but this meshes so well. It can double up as Melo’s alternative road shoe but I like these better than the first release as well as Wade’s Welcome Home cw. Anyways, the shoes are available at Parks, Stadiums and other stores alike. You feelin’ em?

Here’s another pair that also dropped over the last couple of days. It’s strange that a lot of people don’t like the CP3s. The first colorway came out around December and gathered dust. We should thank Nike that they didn’t drop the Mardi Gras and All-Star exclusives. Now, those aren’t so great.

Now this one, this one I’m feelin’. Ofcourse we have the fleur de lys type feel design by the middle panel  to give you the NOLA feel. Aside from that, I just love how balanced the color blocking they did on this one. I could do away with the speckle as I think the speckled look is a bit old and tired. For those who wanna hate, drop a line. Give me reasons not to hate the CP3 III.

Hate what you want to hate, but this is a decent shoe.

Alright guys, here’s another colorway for LeBron’s sneaker in 2010. This obviously is the CTK or Christ the King colorway. To be honest, I’m lovin’ this. Aside from the black/white/gold and the red carpets, this is one of the better colorways of the LeBron VII. I saw these over at BHS last night. They actually had 15 pairs of the Kobe V Aces (Lower Merion Aces to be exact) but sold out quick! If I’m not mistaken, they came out sometime Wednesdsay. These are still available at Nike BHS as of last night. Hurry up and and cop your pair!

I know you guys can read. I don’t think I need to convince you guys to go. So I’ll see you guys there?