Some more gems from Complex Con

Complex Con 18 Recap Sizzle Reel (via @Complex)

Talk about stimulation overload. Complex Con had it all last weekend in Long Beach and as a first-timer, I was simply blown away by the creativity, art, and fashion all on display. In fact, it took me a full week just to sift through everything and continue to reflect about the positive impact and community throughout the two days. Here’s just some of many highlights.

For those unaware, Complex Con is basically the hotbed marketplace for the hip hop culture. Users are first treated to an endless space of brand activations from the biggest names in streetwear and your favorite sneaker companies – all trying to outdo one another.

Around the convention center is a full stage and venue for music performances, an outdoor area for the best LA food trucks and pop-up spots, and my personal favorite: auditoriums for #ComplexConversations — where Complex conducted panel discussions and showcased their original programming (from Hot Ones to Real Late with Peter Rosenberg).

The conversations ranged from Sneaker of the Year to an analysis and communal endeavor to improve upon society’s ills today. All of it inspiring, especially the latter if you can imagine. Here’s a succinct example via the young jedi Jaden Smith:

https://twitter.com/gowherehiphop/status/1061808776401973248

Skim below for some more #content. I had some fun creating a couple Insta Stories for each day.

Day 1 features some snaps of the Complex Con scene, Takashi x OVO, the Sneaker of the Year Panel with Allen Iverson, and even yours truly and Maksim Presence (peep that Gary Vee interview!)

…and Day 2 features a bunch of celebrity cameos (everyone from Nas to Karreuche to Dennis Rodman) and concludes with some more gems from Jaden Smith.

DAY 1:

DAY 2:

And now for some photos! All of the below is via @Complex.

Complex Con 2018 Host: Takashi Murakami

 

‘Women Behind The Lens’ #ComplexConversations with Issa Rae, Lena Waithe, Karena Evans, Nadeska Alexis, Yara Shahidi, hosted by: Jemele Hill

 

The Cadillac Experience My personal favorite. That grid moved. 👀

 

adidas

 

Pusha T @ adidas

 

Ty Dolla $ign @ Puma

 

Future headlines Day 2

 

First We Feast Lagoon

 

Complex Art Experience

 

@MichaelPurdie dunks at the And-1 court

* * * *

Let’s conclude this with The Answer. Complex posted this fascinating sit-down interview for 24 minutes as A.I. shares stories with Michael Jordan, Biggie, and how he even came up with some fashion and sneaker trends.

Thank you Complex Con! We’ll be back again next year. 🙏

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Nike x adidas imagined

Too good to be true.

Did this hybrid Yeezy catch your eye like it did mine?

The well-done collab is 1 of 4 fresh looks imagined by graphic artist Dead Dilly who successfully merged not only the Yeezy II and the Yeezy Boost but also various Nike and adidas technologies and signatures (Flyknit, Ultra Boost, Roshe One, Rick Owens for ex.) above. Hopefully these could somehow happen (or at least go over better than the McWhopper did this week.)

Even though these are just imagined, so are the actual Yeezy Boosts amirite?! Haha, still need to come up on a pair, help out your boy!

(Spotted via Hypebeast, as featured in ILS Magazine.)

Kanye West debuts Yeezy Boost White

A Yeezy Boost White?!

The story goes: Kanye West attends an all-white attire boat party hosted by new adidas signee James Harden and debuts an all-white version of his Yeezy Boost Lows. Geez, we’re all still going crazy about this past weekend’s “Pirate Black” release.

UPDATE: Here’s the best quality look so far (FOH grainy first look…)

https://instagram.com/p/63n5YVocYj

Said grainy first look:

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A post shared by Ernny (@ernny_the_man)

UPDATE: Got eeeemmmmm!

https://twitter.com/TeamKanyeDaily/status/636674214934614016

adidas #DRose6 (Official Images + Release Date)

On the heels of adidas’ biggest off-season acquisition (James Harden at $200 million), they release official images and release dates for Derrick Rose’s 6th signature shoe — the adidas #DRose6.

As you can see above, the Bulls colors take to the forefront for the away version with the home mixing white and silver. I dig the look of these much more than last year’s 5’s and it’s especially cool to see them in context of the city or Derrick’s own foot in the Instagrams below. The up close detail shots are key too and it looks like a shoe to hold in person and really get a feel for it.

The Home drops October 15th and the Away drops November 5th. Creators never stop. *nods head*

https://instagram.com/p/62ogGPCsmD/

https://instagram.com/p/62oGdgislM/

Jam Master Jay adidas Pro Model

It won’t see release, but these new Pro Models honoring Jam Master Jay are niiice. I get the vintage feel but also a modern one with Jay on the back like it is.

Unfortuantely, Complex says the kicks were made for Shake, one of Jay’s friends, and DMC. But hey, maybe now that it’s circulating there will be such demand that adidas can’t ignore?