KAI 1 set for Sunday Philippines launch

KAI 1 this Sunday

To mark the historic launch Kyrie Irving's first signature line of basketball footwear with ANTA, the brand is set to have a special launch in the Philippines this Sunday.

Called the KAI Space - Manila, it will occupy the area beside the ANTA branch of SM Megamall, which is located at the Megamall Atrium. Fans checking out the activation will see an immersive KAI 1 LED tunnel installation, games, a pop-up exhibit of Kyrie-inspired art from Marclen Ricafort-Chulani, exclusive product customization, and live DJ sets from Merms Dabu and Lucio Pua.

The SM Megamall branch is the only location in the country where the KAI 1 will be sold, and certain guidelines have been established.

Only sizes 8-13 are available for purchase at PhP 7995, with a one pair-per-customer purchase policy. Queueing starts at 10am, with purchases to start one hour later.

The much-anticipated KAI 1 looks to showcase the brand's commitment to uplifting talent and narratives within the sneaker world, highlighting its investment towards diversity and progressive representation. Curated by Jared Subawon, it emphasizes the power of inclusive storytelling through design, in this case being the "Enlightened Warrior" ethos.

The silhouette's aerodynamic contours echo Kyrie’s slick, gravity-defying transitions and crossovers. ANTA designers tapped into the capabilities of virtual reality technology, redefining the limits of imagination and functionality. In this manner, it allowed for a more intuitive design process, giving life to the sneaker through a virtual, three-dimensional space, enabling the designers to explore and refine every curve and contour with unparalleled precision and creativity.

At the same time, the hieroglyphic-esque code on the upper brings a narrative punch, essentially KAI’s code, grounding the sneaker in ancestral strength.

Senior Graphic Designer Astin Davis crafted the symbols to represent inspiration and encouragement, using ancient hieroglyphics and ciphers as a base. The graphics on the shoe tie harken to Kyrie's Native American roots, giving him the capabilities of supernatural strength, agility, focus, and speed.

In addition,  ANTA is spelled out in KAI’s code on the laces. “The Journey is the reward” is engraved into the midsole tooling. Kai’s code spells out Kyrie Irving across the strap on the heel pull tab.

Meanwhile, the presence of a forefoot lockdown strap provides for protection.

The rubber threading is derived from Kyrie's tribal roots, complementing his unorthodox maneuvers. The carbon fiber midfoot plate provides substantial torsional rigidity, ensuring seamless transitions from heel to toe. The rubber compound on the shoe excels in providing optimal traction for effective banking and smooth transitions. Additionally, the TPU lateral sidewall enhances stability and offers protection, facilitating confident movement on and off the court.

This sneaker is kitted with a TPU-integrated ANTA logo that transitions seamlessly into the design, reflecting Kyrie’s fluid playstyle and adding an element of finesse to the wearer’s game. The midsole packs a lightweight punch, providing responsive cushioning that lets hoopers cut, sprint, and jump without feeling weighed down, giving them the liberty to express their full potential on the court.

As for the color scheme, Kyrie and ANTA Color Design Director Shaneika Warden drew inspiration from the beliefs of Native peoples, integrating the symbolism of the four directions with the psychological and physical impacts that colors exert on the body and mind

Each color corresponds to a distinct discipline: Strength, Agility, Focus, and Speed.

Strength is embodied in a combination of silver armor with explosive reds and oranges, symbolizing endurance, resilience, and divine guidance to correct misguided paths.

Agility is represented by analogous layers of digital purples, reds, and blue, with an accent of green, making a Pan-African statement emphasizing nobility, magic, and mystery.

Focus is encapsulated in a rich teal, grounding the body and mind while sparked by hot orange, symbolizing imagination and visualization.

Speed is conveyed through yellow, the quickest color for the human eye to perceive. This choice focuses on light, enlightenment, and mental stimulation, elevating energy levels for all creation.

Warden shares, "The ANTA KAI 1 color is rooted in cultural symbolism, color psychology, and fashion trends. It is meant to celebrate the greatest gifts one can possess within the physical and metaphysical form, for not just one being, but all beings."

In releasing this shoe, Irving says, "As Chief Creative Officer and a player, I've woven the essence of my heritage and my heart for basketball into the design of ANTA KAI 1. This is more than a shoe; it embodies our ancestors' strength and the future we're building. Every detail, from the hieroglyphics to the aerodynamic shape, tells the story of where we've been and where we're going. Join me in stepping into this new chapter."