Cool Hunting

Shin Tanaka's Paper AF1s @ Vacant Chi
Opening July 25th, the Chicago branch of Vacant presents the U.S. debut of paper Air Force Ones created by graffiti artist/web designer/sneaker head/funny man Shin Tanaka. We've teamed up with Vacant on this one to include a selection of reader designed Cool Hunting AF1s. So download this template, tweak it out and send it to us by 22 July at paperAF1 [at] coolhunting [dot]...

Nike Trainer 1 Launch and Sketches
The original Air Trainer (above left) debuted 20 years ago, but Nike finally unveiled the long-awaited update last week. Designed for the rigors of training and preparing for competition, the new Nike Trainer 1 (above right) is the lightest cross-trainer I've tried. Inspired by world-class athletes like Bo Jackson, who played both Football and Baseball at an All-Star level, the Nike Trainer 1 is...

Zoom Stefan Janoski SB: Designer James Arizumi Interview and Sketches
One of the most well-respected pro skaters in the biz, Stefan Janoski finally got his own long-overdue shoe with Nike SB. In keeping with his relaxed, nonchalant skate style, the Zoom Janoski is a clean, comfortable and functional shoe. Nike's second signature model, it's a marked departure from their first—a Paul Rodriguez shoe which is more beefy and athletic-looking, again following P-Rod's skate style....

Watermelon-Inspired Design
A few cheeky watermelon-themed products we happened upon recently got us thinking about the summer fruit as a source of design inspiration. While George Nelson's iconic modernist clock ($335 from Pure Modern) is a restrained nod to the melon's oblong shape, most of what's out there appeals to the pink, black and green colorway and the contrast of the exterior rind to the flesh....