True to its status of leader, the American giant Nike regularly offers us as many eye-catching collabs as seductive collections (various articles available on this site). The latest project : the Doernbecher Freestyle 2023 collection.
Doernbecher Freestyle has raised nearly $31 million for the hospital since its inception in 2004. Each year, the program gives six OHSU Doernbecher patients the opportunity to design Nike footwear, apparel and equipment alongside a team of Nike Design employee volunteers. The patient-nominated collections are sold in two stages. First at auction during a special evening and then via the classic scheme some time later. All proceeds go back to the hospital as a signature fundraiser.
This year’s Doernbecher Freestyle collection consists of designs by young patients Coley Miller, Dario Villaseñor Valdivia, Emerson Harrell, Jaren Heacock, Kylee Young and Riddhi Mahajan.
Coley Miller reimagined the Air Foamposite One with inspiration from the Klamath tribal culture of which she is a part. The shoe sports a design that mimics a starry sky, paying homage to times spent with her mother looking up at the stars. The phrase « ho mas gi » under the outsole is Nike’s translation of « Just Do It » in her native language.
Dario Villaseñor Valdivia brought his touch to the Air Huarache. This orange version with touches of khaki, brown and metallic grey refers to the young patient’s favorite fruit : the orange, his long-haired stuffed animal and the creation of animation for his YouTube channel. The inscription « Siempre Fuerte » (Always Strong) under the outsole evokes Dario’s will in his native language.
Emerson Harrell offers us an exclusive blue/white/grey Air Max 90 with a touch of red, which represents his dream of becoming an investor. This witty and energetic young man, who loves playing video games and watching sports, is already a sneakerhead. With 10 pairs in his collection for his young age, he enjoyed putting monetary graphics on the Swoosh of his Air Max 90, as well as the Arizona Wildcats Bear Down expression on the quarter panel.
Jaren Heacock loves to design, code and build robots. Full of ideas and energy, the young man chose to reinvent the Zoom Vomero 5. This special version combines warm red/orange/yellow colors with some black accents. For the design, Jaren pays homage to his Chinese heritage with dragon-inspired elements. The shoe features interchangeable patches and inscriptions of the names of his siblings, the people who mean the most to the young patient.
Kylee Young created an Air Presto « Cookies » synonymous with good cheer. This shoe represents everything Kylee loves : spring, flowers and especially cookies. Mostly pink, this pair is decorated with small graphics at the toe box. A flower-shaped tongue patch, a red buckle lining and the name Cookies written in blue on the heel ensure the design.
Riddhi Mahajan chose to let his imagination run wild on the silhouette of the popular Air Jordan 1 Low. The sneaker features an upper combining white, black and pistachio green. The contours of the front overlays are tinted in a turquoise/purple colorway and the laces appear in a gradient of yellow, orange and purple. To complete the look and convey the young patient’s message of hope, the purple side Swoosh and insole feature « Radiate Positivity », and the toe box is adorned with « Brand New Day ».
These shoes will be accompanied by special clothing and accessories with the same design.
After 3 years of virtualization, the auction took place on October 28, 2022. The collection will be launched in stores, on SNKRS and nike.com in early 2023. Stay tuned !
