Streetwear Collective RTFKT reveals one-of-one sneaker inspired by 2021 Lexus IS sport sedan - @Lexus @RTFKTstudios

 

Streetwear Collective RTFKT reveals one-of-one sneaker inspired by 2021 Lexus IS sport sedan

What happens when sneakerheads get ahold of a luxury sport sedan? RTFKT creative collective and Lexus teamed up to find out.

To celebrate the launch of the 2021 Lexus IS, RTFKT reveals its one-of-one shoe featuring design elements inspired by the IS 350 F Sport Dynamic Handling Package. From its athletic stance and slimmer headlights to its carbon fiber spoiler and bold color schemes, the IS drove the creative team to design RTFKT's first pair of footwear inspired by and partly constructed from vehicle materials.

"We wanted to make sure when the audience looks at the sneaker they instantly know it is the IS," said Chris Le, creative director and co-founder of RTFKT. "All the intricate design elements come together, and at a first glance it's a neckbreaker," added Steven Zaptio, CEO and co-founder of RTFKT.

The RTFKT team first selected a base with a sole closely resembling a tire for their custom silhouette. Features on the front are shaped like the vehicle's signature spindle grille, with 3D printed material imitating the carbon fiber spoiler of the car. The sides of the sneaker showcase Black NuLuxe with light gray stitching from the seats, with a middle silver stripe inspired by the details of the headlights. The team added an F SPORT branded tag on the side and a Lexus badge covering the top Velcro strap. Lastly, they selected a vibrant blue hue for the sneaker that most closely resembles Grecian Water, a new color for Lexus in 2021.

RTFKT and entertainment media company Complex documented the sneaker creation process in a three-part video series, "Rubber & Sole," now live on Complex.com. In first episode the team is challenged to create a bespoke shoe inspired by the 2021 Lexus IS. Zaptio and Le take notes, from its newly designed spindle grill down to its NuLuxe interior, using the vehicle as their muse. The second video shows the ideation of the sneaker, from sketching designs to prototyping and materials sourcing. The third and final episode – debuting today – showcases the final details of the sneaker and explains how it is derived from the IS.

For more information on the new IS, visit 

https://www.lexus.com/models/IS