To kick off this year 2022 and celebrate its 15th anniversary, the Shanghai-based ACU store unveils a first-ever collaboration with the Chinese brand Li-Ning. The 2 partners present a brand new 50/50 skate silhouette inspired by the traditional practices of Chinese medicine.
Li-Ning is a fast-growing company, driven by its commitment to offering products that are somewhere between sportswear and avant-garde streetwear. Now, it’s entering the world of skateboarding and unveiling a special silhouette, the 50/50. With the help of ACU, Li-Ning presents an attractive and original 50/50.
The name of this shop corresponds to the abbreviation of acupuncture. Its founders explain that they are passionate about sneakers but do not forget their roots and the real traditions of their country. They said : « In designing ACU products, we want to highlight the traditional Chinese cultural elements, while breaking the foreign stereotypes of traditional Chinese culture. We hope to show the unique side of Chinese culture to people all over the world. »
This desire and inspiration are carried over to this collaborative shoe. Honoring traditional Chinese medicine, the sneaker is adorned with a unique aesthetic. It consists of a yellowed base of parchment-like material that naturally tears over time. When this first layer is gone, the Li-Ning logo and motifs reminiscent of traditional Chinese medicine are revealed, with the brand’s signature colors of green and orange. To complete the look, the sneaker comes with 2 sets of laces, 1 of which mimics the string commonly used to tie medicines together. The wood brown color of the gum sole acts as a metaphor for « root », the root of street culture that is firmly established in everyday life.
The pair comes in a special numbered box that picks up the “root” theme and is adorned with traditional Chinese elements.
The ACU x Li-Ning 50/50 will be released in a very limited edition on January 8 via an online raffle on ACU online Wechat mini-progam. It will be open from 8:18am to 6:18pm. The price is set at 158$ (999 Renminbi).
