From Ben & Jerry’s to The Powerpuff Girls, there isn’t much uncharted territory left for Nike SB’s diverse laundry list of collaborations. And yet, an upcoming project with a beloved South Carolina skate shop marks the first time the sportswear manufacturer’s skateboarding offshoot has worked with the store on a shoe.
The Bluetile x Nike SB Dunk Low QS has been a long time coming for the 25-year-old Columbia, South Carolina skate shop. Known as a fixture of its local community and a longtime supporter of the skate scene, Bluetile has been a longtime stockist of Nike SB’s footwear, but it’s never designed its own collaboration with the brand until now.
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Taking inspiration from the colorful monarch butterfly and its connection to Mexican immigrants as a symbol of resiliency on their path to find home, the Bluetile x Nike SB Dunk Low features a Black/Marina/White/Campfire Orange/Court Blue/Orange Horizon color combination that’s packed with details referencing the winged insect.
The upper of the Bluetile x Nike SB Dunk Low QS features what’s described by store owner David Toole as a “bug-like” suede with a printed texture that will wear away to reveal a softer suede underneath. This is met with a metallic navy cracked leather base which features a subtle reflective orange material beneath its butterfly-shaped perforations.
Further details include multiple fuzzy shoelace colors, a printed, three-dimensional Swoosh inspired by bug eyes, an embroidery at the heel inspired by the colors seen on the butterfly. The monarch pattern comes to life on the shoe’s printed ollie pad and wings, which are left unattached for the first time on the Dunk Low model to represent the wings of a butterfly.
The shoe’s theme is an especially meaningful one for Bluetile employee Irving Juarez, who emigrated from Mexico and helped with the design of the SB Dunk.
“These themes are made even more powerful as we get to celebrate our very own @irv_ing, who immigrated here from Veracruz, Mexico. Like the Monarch, Irving and the many immigrants like him bring color to our lives and continue to uplift the communities they serve,” Bluetile wrote on Instagram.
The Bluetile x Nike SB Dunk Low QS will see a staggered rollout beginning May 2 from the store’s Columbia location followed by a May 3 launch at Bluetile Charleston. An online release will take place on bluetilesc.com on May 4 at 10 a.m. ET followed by a wider release at U.S. skate shops on May 8. Retail pricing for the sneaker is $135 and the style code is IQ1323-001.