Nike Sportswear x Bodega's 'Black Cat, Good Luck — Bad Luck' trilogy of
Footscapes brings a fresh look, a sense of superstition and continued evolution to a
sneaker that remains a cult classic. Boston's Bodega remains one of the world's
premier sneaker boutiques with a premium retail experience housed in a secret
entrance within a fully functioning bodega. That sense of playfulness and innovation
is the perfect match for the Footscape.
The trademark asymmetric lacing to minimize pressure and a foot friendly last was
debuted on the original Nike Air Footscape in 1995 as an eccentric experiment in
athleticis that swiftly amassed an audience in Asia, drawn to the fit and unique style
of the shoe, making it a favorite with runners, collectors, connoisseurs and casual
fans alike. Beyond running, the Footscapeʼs groundbreaking shape even entered the
realms of ACG and Cross Training.
For 2006 the shoe was reworked as the Footscape Woven form, bringing elements of
the Nike Woven — the 2000 silhouette designed by Mike Aveni that became a fan
favorite with its equally avant-garde weave treatment for heightened comfort and fit
— and Considered construction to bring a new element of street level style and
tradition to this model.
In 2010, the Footscape Freemotion ebuted with a Flywire-aided upper and updated
siped outsole for an emphasis on flex. The latest interpretation of the legendary
Footscape look is the Footscape Woven Chukka — built on the Freemotion platform
— that adds extra height with a mix of neoprene and natural fabrics but retains the
model's formidable level of comfort while advancing those iconic looks.
In earthy shades, and a blend of smooth and hairy suede textures, the “Night Cat”
Woven Chukka is the centerpiece of the Nike Sportswear Bodega project,
accompanied by the lower-cut Footscape Freemotion and a Freemotion take on the
Footscape Woven.
Each makeup showcases a natural look that amplifies the outdoor appeal of the shoe
to complement the natural fits, each implementing neutral tones in the color blocking
and weave detailing. Bodega's mastery of conceptual make ups is legendary and
their debut Nike collaboration is no exception - xthe store celebrated their fifth year in
business on Friday May 13th 2011, and that's the inspiration for the recurring feline
imagery, with a cat's eye stitched onto the tongue of all three shoes in this collection.
For Bodega co-owner Jay Gordon, the decision to work with this particular silhouette
was easy, “The Footscape Woven has always been a staff favorite at the shop, and
we wanted to make a shoe for our customer, who is a bit more adventurous than
your average sneaker fan. If you wear it you understand that it is one of the most
interesting and comfortable sneakers out there.”
A groundbreaking shoe and a store like no other have maintained the Footscape's
attitude — an unsurpassed maverick spirit of strange that made it legendary on its
own terms.
The Nike Sportswear and Bodega 'Black Cat, Good Luck — Bad Luck' collection will
be available from May 28th, 2011. The Footscape Woven Chukka is limited to just
350 pairs, on sale exclusively at Bodega, while the Footscape Freemotion and
Footscape Woven will be available at select global Quickstrike doors too.