Bespoke Nike Cricket Shoes For Kiwi Cricketers : An Ode To Kobe Bryant By Rachin Ravindra

As a footwear designer, every project holds a unique story, an inspiration that fuels creativity and pushes boundaries. When Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell—two incredibly talented cricketers representing the New Zealand national squad—reached out to me with a vision to redesign and redevelop the Nike Domain 2 cricket shoe, I knew we were about to embark on something special.

The brief was simple yet profound: take cues from the iconic Kobe Protro sneakers and merge them with the high-performance demands of cricket footwear. Having previously worked with brands like Nike, Puma, Johnnie Walker, ARKS, and JD Sports, I thrive on the challenge of fusing performance with aesthetics. But this project was different. It was about blending the essence of cricket with the soul of basketball while ensuring the end product met the rigorous demands of elite athletes on the field.

The Inspiration: A Tribute to the Blackcaps

Our brainstorming sessions led us to a design philosophy rooted in the heritage of New Zealand cricket. We drew inspiration from the One Day International and Test cricket jerseys of Rachin and Tom, as well as the iconic stars on the New Zealand flag. The classic black and silver palette of the Blackcaps, along with subtle blue and white accents, provided the perfect foundation to craft something truly special.

The Execution: Two Colorways, One Vision

Each athlete received two bespoke colorways, crafted meticulously to reflect their playing style and personality. The shoes retained the lightweight Domain midsole unit, while the upper was reimagined with sleek performance materials reminiscent of Kobe’s legendary sneaker line. The silhouette maintained its cricket-specific functionality, with reinforced toe caps, superior traction, and strategic cushioning for high-impact movements.

A Nod to the Past, A Step Towards the Future

This project took me back to 2019 when I had the privilege of designing a bespoke cricket spike for Indian cricketer Mayank Agarwal. His request was simple yet ambitious—to create the lightest cricket shoe ever, featuring the Domain midsole unit while reinterpreting the upper with elements from the Nike Mercurial football boots. That experience laid the foundation for what we achieved with Rachin and Tom’s pairs today.

Gratitude to the Kiwi Cricketers

Working on this project was an honor, and I am deeply grateful to Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell for entrusting me with their vision. Their passion for the game and attention to detail pushed us to create something beyond just a pair of shoes—it became a statement of innovation and excellence.

As I continue my journey between my design studios in New Delhi and Osaka, projects like these remind me why I love what I do. The blend of sport, culture, and innovation keeps the fire burning, and I can't wait for what’s next!

Stay tuned for more exciting collaborations ahead!

Designing Sneakers for Ranbir Kapoor’s ARKS: A Journey of Learning & Craft

When I, Nishant Fogaat, was given the opportunity to conceptualise, design & develop the first-ever sneaker for ARKS, Ranbir Kapoor’s newly launched apparel brand, I knew this would be a deeply enriching experience. Designing footwear is more than just creating a product—it’s about understanding a brand’s identity, translating a vision into form, and ensuring the final piece is both functional and timeless. This project challenged me in many ways, and looking back at the journey, I feel incredibly grateful for the experience and the trust placed in me.

Over the course of 1.5 years, we explored multiple design iterations, experimenting with materials, refining details, and improving functionality. It was a long but rewarding process of trial and improvement, where every decision was made with care to ensure the final sneaker truly reflected the essence of ARKS.

Shaping the Vision

From the start, it was clear that ARKS had a unique design philosophy—modern yet understated, premium yet approachable. Ranbir Kapoor’s personal style played a key role in guiding the sneaker’s aesthetic. We wanted something that felt effortless, timeless, and aligned with his love for clean, well-crafted footwear.

The red accent logo by TooSid became a subtle but meaningful branding element, integrated seamlessly into the design. We also looked at some of Ranbir’s most iconic footwear choices for inspiration, making sure the sneaker felt personal while also appealing to a wide audience.

Material Selection & Custom Tooling

Beyond aesthetics, ensuring the best ergonomics and material choices was a priority. Every element was carefully considered—from durability to sustainability—to create a sneaker that was as comfortable as it was stylish.

A key part of the process was developing custom shoe lasts, which form the foundation of the sneaker. To achieve the best possible quality and avoid any design overlaps, these were manufactured in Taiwan, a region known for its expertise in footwear craftsmanship.

Designing the Outsole: Function Meets Elegance

One of the most challenging yet exciting aspects of this project was designing the outsole. It had to embody the clean, silent luxury aesthetic of ARKS while offering reliable functionality and multiple surface traction. After much refinement, we arrived at a design that felt sleek, comfortable, and versatile enough for everyday wear.

Finalizing the Design: A Collaborative Effort

After many months of iteration and refinement, we finally arrived at the final design—a sneaker that blends style, craftsmanship, and practicality. It was truly a team effort, and I feel fortunate to have been part of this journey.

Looking back, this project was more than just about designing a sneaker; it was a learning experience that deepened my understanding of footwear design and brand storytelling. Seeing the final product come to life has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m grateful to ARKS team and Ranbir Kapoor for the trust and creative freedom throughout this process.

Walkers & Co : Johnnie Walker x Nishant Fogaat, curated by Conde Nast

I am thrilled to share an incredible journey of art, sustainability, and innovation that I recently embarked upon. As a designer, I had the privilege of collaborating with the legendary brand Johnnie Walker to create a sustainable sneaker that pushes the boundaries of ethical fashion. Together, we have crafted a truly unique product that represents the spirit of progressive change-making. Join me as I take you through the story of our collaboration and the extraordinary sneaker we created.

Chapter 1:

Sustainable Materials and Innovative Design In my pursuit of sustainable fashion, I was inspired to explore alternative materials that could replace traditional animal-based leathers. This quest led me to discover the remarkable potential of cactus plant leather. This groundbreaking material not only possessed similar qualities to conventional leather but also offered a sustainable alternative that reduces the environmental impact associated with animal agriculture. With this realization, I knew we were on the right path towards creating something truly special.

Chapter 2:

The Fusion of Art and Design To infuse the sneaker with a touch of artistic brilliance, I collaborated with a renowned graffiti artist, Hanif Kureshi whose work has captivated audiences worldwide. Together, we embarked on a creative journey to design an adaptive typography logo that would serve as the soul of the sneaker. The logo became a visual representation of the sneaker's identity, blending art and design seamlessly.

Chapter 3:

Eco-friendly Printing Techniques In our commitment to sustainability, we sought printing techniques that aligned with our values. We discovered ecological ink graphic printing, a process that utilizes environmentally friendly inks, minimizing waste and reducing harm to the planet. Through this technique, we were able to breathe life into the intricate details and vibrant colors of the sneaker's design, all while prioritizing the well-being of our environment.

Chapter 4:

Indian Craftsmanship and Vibram Soles Technological Excellence plays a vital role in bringing any design to fruition, and for this project, we turned to the expertise of Indian craftsmanship. Additionally, we partnered with Vibram, renowned for their exceptional rubber soles, to enhance the sneaker's comfort, durability, and traction. The fusion of Indian craftsmanship and Premium Italian Vibram soles resulted in a product that met the highest standards of quality.

Chapter 5:

Walkers&Co: Amplifying Progressive Change-Makers The culmination of our efforts materialized in an ultra-limited capsule collection, the first edition of Walkers&Co. With only 50 pieces available, this collection serves as a testament to Johnnie Walker's commitment to promoting progressive change-makers. By establishing the Walkers&Co branding IP, the brand aims to amplify the voices of those who are actively driving positive change in our society. It is a celebration of their endeavors and an inspiration for others to join the movement.

Conclusion:

As I reflect upon this incredible collaboration with Johnnie Walker, I am humbled by the possibilities that arise when art, sustainability, and innovation converge. Together, we have reimagined fashion, creating a sneaker that embodies our shared values and paves the way for a more conscious and ethical industry. This journey has reinforced my belief that collaboration has the power to reshape our world for the better. Let us embrace the vision of a sustainable future and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in fashion and design.

Sub-Culture Mix : Sneaker, Manga, Streetwear, Hip-Hop

Meet Goathe, a Philippines-based artist who has been portraying his love for manga, streetwear, and hip-hop via his collective representation artworks. Goathe’s illustrations feature beloved manga characters from series such as Naruto, Akira, and My Hero Academia visualised in streetwear setting of 21st century. 

Even though BAPE, Neighborhood, and Nike are just some of the brands that Goathe incorporates heavily in his artwork. Yet one of the key points of the artist’s creative journey was in 2020, which had him collaborating with creative mammoths of Puma & The Hundreds for their creative collateral design for their recent collection of Spring Summer 2020.

Manga references in the works of Goathe are also sought after: oscillating between modern references of the genre with Naruto or My Hero Acamedia but also with characters from Akira and Sailor Moon.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say Japanese streetwear & manga has to be credited for fair share of inspiration reflecting in the Philippines based artist’s illustrations which does deserve to be appreciated at the core of its freshness and neo-modern outlook at the sub-culture.

Sneakers As Art-piece : Origin

On the occasion of the White Dunk exhibition held in Tokyo in 2004, several artists were asked to create original works in homage to the Nike Dunk. Masakazu Katsura, Kow Yokoyama, Keiichi Sato, Hajime Sorayama are among the best known artists in this program. It's crazy how a simple pair of sneakers can inspire such creations!

Close Double Dunk by Junichi Taniguchi

White Dunk exhibition has shown unlimited ways of seeing one object. An unconventional canvas – the Nike Dunk – in the hands of 25 highly talented Japanese artists (selected by Nike ex-C.E.O. Mark Parker) and the results lead to three eclectic White Dunks exhibitions of whose echoes still resonate today.

Rakugaki - Katsuya Terada

Nikeman by Keiichi Sato

Nike Goddess by Hajime Sorayama

Sneaker Un-Yellowing

The sneakers that you have cherished may turn yellow due to the effects of ultraviolet rays and deterioration over time, so they cannot be removed by just washing them normally! On this page, we at FOGI LABS, will explain in detail about yellowing (oxidation) & how best to restore your favourite sneakers to near new. Not only sneakers but the technique & product can be used for others shoes too in general.

Yellowing cannot be alleviated by cleaning alone. Those who have self-cleaned at home may have experienced "I couldn't get rid of yellowing at all! ". You may want to take a look at this explanation and try again.

1. FIRST OF ALL CLEANING

When removing the yellowing of the sole, it is necessary to remove the dirt once. This is because it is relatively easy to remove yellowing after thoroughly removing the dirt.

2. MASK

After removing the dirt, you may apply the solvent, but depending on the material and solvent, it is not good for the solvent to stick to the upper, so mask it as shown in the photo below. It is also good to wrap it in aluminum foil so that it will not be damaged by UV.

3. APPLY SOLVENT AND LEAVE

Apply the special solvent to the yellowed area, and wrap it in shrink wrap to prevent the applied solvent from drying out. After that, leave it in a place exposed to the sun for 2 hours to 1 day. It's okay to use a UV light. In the case of UV light, it is better to cover it with a large towel etc. from above so that the light does not leak.

4. REMOVE THE SOLVENT

Finally, use water or a cleaner to remove the solvent and complete.

We at FOGI offer a free re-repair warranty for all repairs & restorations offered by us . If there is a problem within 3 months after the restoration, we will restore it free of charge, so please feel free to use it.