A social media sneaker critique spilled into an in-person confrontation Saturday at ComplexCon in Las Vegas.

During the convention’s “Sneaker of the Year” discussion, rapper and panel member Lil Yachty addressed a recent Instagram video shared by industry veteran Brandon “Bimma” Williams, who was in the audience. The rapper’s expletive-laced rant lasted nearly seven minutes and was rooted in Williams’ criticisms of Lil Yachty’s upcoming Air Force 1 collaboration.

“It’s like bro, every shoe don’t gotta be fifty f**king colors,” Lil Yachty said. “I wanted to do some real calm, sexy s**t. Like, navy blue is a good-ass color. And white, you feel me?”

The rapper’s Nike “Us Force 1” Air Force 1 collaboration, which is branded with the logos of his Concrete Boys group rather than his own, has received flack from Williams and other social media users for what they perceive as an overly simplistic design reminiscent of Nike’s widely available general release colorways. In his original video shared Nov. 13, Williams plays off of the rapper’s “Lil Boat” nickname, using several puns to dissect the collaboration. 

“Let’s talk about why Lil Boat’s Uptowns probably should have stayed docked,” Williams said. “Look, after a year of unwanted white-on-white Air Force 1 collabs, these just feel like a general release. Maybe throw these overboard.”

Williams, who has parlayed his industry experience into his own collaboration marketing platform, said he believed Lil Yachty’s “It’s Us” branding was too similar to Kith’s “Just Us” mantra. Williams also questioned the rapper’s authenticity as “one of hip-hop’s biggest sneakerheads,” citing a story where Lil Yachty admitted to being unfamiliar with Jay-Z’s music. 

“This is my thing, right?,” Lil Yachty said during Saturday’s panel. “I hate when people act as if all shoes must be like this…I don’t even understand. Everyone has their own take on a sneaker, so if I wanted to make an Air Force and I want it to be white and blue, if you don’t like it, that’s cool.”

Aesthetic aside, what Lil Yachty seemed to take exception with most was Williams questioning his personal ties to hip-hop and sneaker culture. 

The profanity-laden clips circulated on numerous social media accounts Saturday, and Williams took to his own @bimmawilliams Instagram Monday to respond. Once again using nautical puns and Jay-Z references, Williams ran through his resumé and addressed the tense situation. 

“There’s a difference between hate and a critique,” Williams said in the Monday response. “The latter is a gift and in return, you try to reduce me to a hater…and even though ya’ll tried to have standing up there silently, I didn’t need a mic because the community stood with me.”

Lil Yachty’s Concrete Boys x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Us Force 1” collaboration will be released first on Nov. 20 followed by a global release on Dec. 2. Retail pricing has not been confirmed.

LG Styler is kicking off the fall season with its first forays into shoe care.

During ComplexCon 2023 in Long Beach, Calif., the LG Electronics clothing care and cleaning brand revealed its Styler Objet Collection ShoeCare and ShoeCase in the U.S., complete with a colorful game show-themed booth hosted by Jeff Staple. For the occasion, the Staple designer mused on his top sneaker cleaning advice.

“There are sprays that they sell that waterproof the shoe prior so you can protect it — that’s actually 90% of the battle, because if you waterproof, you actually can wipe it off easier,” Staple exclusively told FN‘s Charlie Carballo.

The designer also advised that owning “beater” sneakers — everyday, often beaten-up sneakers — is key when inclement weather strikes, in addition to using affordable Mr. Clean Magic Sponges.

“Most important, you got to have a beater,” Staple said. “It rains, it snows sometimes, you got to have a go-to beater to go with it.”

The LG ShoeCare and ShoeCase can be used for a range of footwear styles, according to a 2022 brand statement. The device utilizes the company’s signature absorbent Zeo-Dry filters to remove odors and moisture, as well as its adjustable Moving Nozzle to keep shoe insoles dry. LG has also incorporated its TrueSteam technology to care for shoes depending on their materials and heights — which can also be accomplished with up to four pairs of shoes in 37 minutes.

ComplexCon, held in Long Beach, Calif. from Nov. 18 to 19, is a culture festival highlighting innovative fashion, food, music and more. This year’s event featured market displays from Crocs, eBay, Marc Jacobs and Anti Social Social Club x Fragment and more, as well as performances including Lil Yachty, YG and Kid Cudi.

About the Author:

Aaron Royce is the Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on trending news, celebrity style, collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Aaron wrote for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.

ComplexCon 2023: Kid Cudi, Lil Yachty & More Highlights

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Jae Tips’ Saucony Grid Azura 2000 is one of the consensus frontrunners for best sneaker of 2023, but before the year is out the two collaborators will return with another pair of kicks rich in color and texture.

The Grid Shadow 2 “What’s the Occassion?” marks Jae Tips‘ second Saucony collaboration after its debut at ComplexCon. His signature smorgasbord of color sees the model take on two colorways: pink, green, brown, tan and off-white; and shades of blue and pink with sand — both of which utilize suede, leather, and mesh.

Where the Grid Shadow 2 deviates from his first collaboration, as well as a famous pair of bespoke Air Force 1s the musician had made in 2019, is in its lack of prints. The sneaker does, however, continue to show his love of florals with a Takashi Murakami-esque arrangement of petals on the mustache. Jae Tips’ flourishes almost entirely replace Saucony’s branding, including the word “Forever” where Saucony’s logo usually appears on the toe, “Savior” on the lower heel, and Jae Tips’ name along with another floral mark on the tongue.

Jae Tips has been teasing his second Saucony collaboration since summer on Instagram, and his posts have suggested the possibility of three colorways for the Grid Shadow 2 releasing in total. Only two pairs dropped at ComplexCon, not including the pair with shades of pink and a neon yellow midsole that Jae Tips had been teasing throughout the year. Each of the three features a midsole that tips the colorways’ intended occasion. Together, the insoles read, “Wear to Dinner,” “Wear to a Date,” and “Wear to a Party.”

“For us, Jae represents a new creative force, truly connected to the people. Community is very important with our collaborations,” Jason Faustino, Saucony senior brand manager, said in a press release. “We align with our partners on telling unique stories that allow consumers to resonate deeper with.”

The Jae Tips x Saucony Grid Shadow 2 “What’s the Ocassion” debuted at ComplexCon over the past weekend. Asics has confirmed a global release will follow and will be announced at a later date. Retail is set at $150.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

The ComplexCon culture festival has returned for its 2023 iteration, complete with a range of experiences, events and more.

This year’s occasion, held from Nov. 18 to 19 in Long Beach, Calif., has included a wide variety of musical performances, speaking panels, market-style stalls and more focusing on fashion, music, food and various cultural topics. During the first day of the festival, Kid Cudi was spotted arriving in the market in a pair of red and white sneakers.

At the event, Jeff Staple hosted LG Styler’s game show-style activation — which supported the brand’s launch of technological cleaners in the U.S. — and spoke to FN‘s Charlie Carballo on his top sneaker-cleaning tips.

“There are sprays that they sell that waterproof the shoe prior so you can protect it — that’s actually 90% of the battle, because if you waterproof, you actually can wipe it off easier,” Staple said, in addition to having a sturdy “beater” sneaker and using Mr. Clean Magic Sponges. 

ComplexCon notably features a wide variety of limited-edition product, fashion and accessory drops, collaborations and releases in a market-style shopping space. This year’s festival includes displays from Marc Jacobs x Cactus Plant Flea Market, Lewis Hamilton x Takashi Murakami, RCNSTRCT Studio and more.

On the food front, ComplexCon’s lineup notably included a tailgate event hosted by YouTube series “Hot Ones,” the L.A. Chargers and its host, Sean Evans. The occasion, titled the First We Feast Lagoon, celebrated season 2 of the show’s “Truth or Dab — L.A. Chargers Edition” spinoff program.

ComplexCon also featured a wide array of musical performances. This year’s lineup included Lil Yachty, YG, Zack Bia, Don Toliver and more taking the stage for the occasion.

ComplexCon is a culture festival highlighting sneakers, music, food and more with a range of speaking panels, live performances and marketplace vendors. The 2023 event, held in Long Beach, Calif., included appearances from Kid Cudi, Don Toliver, YG and more.

About the Author:

Aaron Royce is the Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on trending news, celebrity style, collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Aaron wrote for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.

ComplexCon 2023: Kid Cudi, Lil Yachty & More Highlights

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Six weeks after San Francisco Pride, the city’s Schlomer Haus Gallery hosted What Remains, an exhibition of artwork that made use of the remnants and discarded debris of the two-day celebration. 

Whereas corporate sponsors can be prone to moving on and resuming business as usual once June ends, the waste from parties and parades remains and so too do the problems faced by the queer community. Schlomer Haus, opened by Steffan Schlarb in 2021, sought to repurpose that waste while calling out the regular cynicism behind the chase for pink dollars and raising funds for Queer LifeSpace, which provides mental health services for queer people. Among the pieces displayed and offered for sale with 100 percent of the proceeds being donated was collage portrait of Lil Nas X made up of a rainbow of refuse including purple packaging for CBD gummies, a pink Benadryl box, a pack of yellow American Spirits, and a studded black leather collar. 

Just over six weeks after What Remains closed, Schlomer Haus is now set to toe the line of working with corporations and examining their relationship with queer communities through “Queer Kicks,” an exhibition featured in this year’s edition of ComplexCon. As convention goers attend concerts, nourish themselves in the curated food court, and above all else chase after limited-edition drops in streetwear and sneakers, the collection of sneaker-inspired artwork serves as a reminder of the role queer people have played in a culture that simultaneously has a habit of shutting them out. 

A dozen artists were selected for the exhibition and will show in the mediums of paintings, ceramics, and sculptures. “Queer Kicks” will be available to view during both days of ComplexCon, which runs this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18 and 19. 

“Queer creators and artists are often at the forefront of driving the culture that’s then co-opted by large corporations,” Schlarb said in a call with Footwear News. “[This show is] a way of showcasing the next generation of queer artists and giving them an opportunity to be in front of this audience.” 

Devynn Barnes, a queer, Black artist based in Oakland, is contributing Eye Believe I, a basketball hoop featuring a tall pine backboard carved curvaceously and painted with an androgynous figure vogueing. Hanging well below regulation length from the black rim is a galvanized chain in gold and silver. 

Barnes grew up playing basketball, and like many other sneakerheads, the sport is what led to her falling in love with kicks. Thus she took the less literal approach for her artwork, which also seeks to highlight the cruciality of Black culture within sneakers. She said she can almost hear sneakers squeaking on the pine when she looks at it and that there’s a fluidity from the motions of basketball to those of dance. 

“Basketball felt so expressive in the form of our bodies and the street culture of it. The fashion of it was always something that really engaged me,” Barnes said. “That was a place where I got to play with my expression and feel a bit more confident and bold in it. It’s nice to have this piece be representative of that journey for myself but also these two worlds that seem disparate but to me have always felt so intertwined.” 

Similar to what she’s seen in the sporting world, Barnes said sneaker culture’s treatment of queer people has improved but still has room for improvement. Upon viewing “Queer Kicks,” she wants the audience to recognize that there’s more to the culture than what’s been a “stereotypically male-dominated space.” 

Although he wouldn’t call himself a sneakerhead, Thomas Martinez Pilnik has been fascinated by sneaker culture since coming to America from London. Now based in Los Angeles, he found himself falling down the rabbit hole of knowledge beginning with a college course on African American music and then upon moving to New York City after he completed his degree. 

Pilnik’s contribution to the exhibit is Running Up That Hill, a glazed terracotta take on his favorite Fila platform sneakers named after the famous Kate Bush song. Playing with the idea of memories and the mystery of how mixing glazes will turn out, he splattered his ceramic to invoke the “dregs of a really good night out” dancing. 

“My way into sneaker culture is the kind of camp way of wading through what’s been a pretty heteronormative space and potentially hostile space for queer people and women,” Pilnik said. “There’s something about platforms that elevates us, literally, but also takes us to a new space and a new plane. I feel powerful in my Filas even though they’re coded as women’s shoes and I found them in a thrift store. That’s the sneaker I feel the most safe and have the most fun in.” 

While skeptical of rainbow capitalism, Pilnik points to the first Air Jordans as an example of shoes having the ability to contain “conceptual rigor” for how much faith Nike placed in a young, black athlete such as Michael Jordan. He adds, “When a brand works with someone with a marginalized identity and stands behind them, that can create a community that’s much more powerful than plastering a rainbow on a sneaker that you’ve already designed.” 

Barnes highlights the queer artist Nina Chanel Abney’s recent link-up with Timberland as a collaboration that struck her as particularly meaningful and expressive. Even though it produced boots rather than sneakers, the spirit and history of collaborations is very much rooted in sneakers and streetwear. Abney also pared down the Air Jordan 2 for a collaboration in 2022.

“It’s one thing if you have a partnership and the brand wants it a specific way. Then it’s a filtered version of that person and their art,” Barnes said. “To be intentional about it is to give the artists space to use the brand as a platform. I’m seeing more of that, and it’s really encouraging.” 

“Queer Kicks” will give real, physical space to such artists to express themselves and their relationships with sneakers while also providing an overt safe space for queer people in attendance at ComplexCon. But, being that it is art, there’s still ample room for interpretation from the audience. 

“I don’t want people to enter the exhibition and feel like they have to come away as, like, Ally of the Year,” Pilnik said.

In his messy ceramic kicks, Pilnik sees the drinks spilt on his feet while dancing at the club. Others might see scuffs from a game of pick-up basketball or dirt from an afternoon hike. Still others might see something they’d never let happen to their own sneakers. 

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Complex’s annual ComplexCon festival will return to Long Beach in 2023. The two-day culture-defining event will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center on Nov. 18 and 19.

The annual festival will include the return of the First We Feast Lagoon, which will bring attendees the most delicious treats. Cactus Plant Flea Market has also been tapped as the event’s Artistic Director.

Some additional events from sponsors have been announced, but further details about talent lineups, host, performers and ticket announcements for ComplexCon 2023 have not yet been revealed. Fans can sign up at complexcon.com to get notifications and exclusive news in the coming months.

What is ComplexCon?

ComplexCon, also known as the “festival of the future,” will bring together the world’s most influential brands and creative artists for an immersive two-day experience of style, sneakers, art, food, music, inspiration and so much more.

What experiences will ComplexCon host this year?

eBay, Espolòn Tequila, and Toyota have all been announced as returning sponsors. eBay says it will host an interactive experience to highlight its selection of fashion and collectable goods, while Espolòn will debut a Día de los Muertos experience that’ll include limited-edition apparel, an artist partnership, and on-site apparel customization. Within the First We Feast Lagoon, there will also be an Espolòn Cantina.

For the second year in a row, Toyota will bring its “Nudge” campaign, now with a focus on “supporting and uplifting” Historically Black Collegs and Universities (HBCUs). A two-day event at Long Beach Polytechnic High School will feature workshops, mentorship, and inspiration. The same workshops will then be brought to ComplexCon, and the brand will sponsor the official ComplexCon After Party as well.

When was ComplexCon developed?

ComplexCon was officially developed in 2016 as a partnership between Complex Networks and ReedPOP, the producers of New York’s Comic-Con and Agenda Show. Since then, the event has been held annually in November.

Who was last year’s host & performers?

Japanese graphic designer Verdy served as the host and artistic director for ComplexCon 2022. The Girls Don’t Cry and Wasted Youth founder spoke to FN about receiving the offer and how he kept innovation at the forefront of his vision.

“Being the art director of ComplexCon has always been a dream of mine, so I was super excited when I got the offer during the pandemic,” Verdy tells FN in an exclusive email interview. “Aside from bringing established legends of Japan, I wanted to offer a platform for the emerging brands that have yet to catch the spotlight they deserve.”

ComplexCon 2022 also featured a headlining performance from Nigo. The record producer was joined by Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, Pusha T, Clipse, Ski Mask, and Teriyaki Boys. Last year’s panel lineup was just as star-studded including, Vashtie, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, DJ Clark Kent, Bun B and Hit-Boy.

About the Author:

Ashley Rushford is the Digital Editor for Footwear News. She writes and edits stories about celebrity style, the latest fashion trends, shoe releases and exclusive interviews. Ashley received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Rutgers University and has written for publications like Essence Magazine and Black Enterprise.

“Being the art director of ComplexCon has always been a dream of mine, so I was super excited when I got the offer during the pandemic,” Verdy tells FN in an exclusive email interview. “Aside from bringing established legends of Japan, I wanted to offer a platform for the emerging brands that have yet to catch the spotlight they deserve.”

Verdy’s additions to ComplexCon included a performance by Kenzo’s new artistic director Nigo, as well as an exhibit on the Asian diaspora’s involvement in sneaker culture. He also featured booths and displays with new products to purchase from brands including Awake NY, Undercover, Agnes Kruel, Youth Loser, Boys in Toyland and YAGI.

“Now that the world feels more connected, it seems like the moment to help showcase the friends and family around me,” Verdy said.

Though Verdy had numerous ComplexCon highlights this year, he was most excited to showcase Nigo and Jun Takahashi’s booth, where the duo brought back the varsity jacket style from their Last Orgy collaboration — regarded, per Verdy, as “an undeniable grail in the Ura-Harajuku movement.” He also introduced a new ComplexCon mascot: Vick, a half-rabbit, half-panda creature that’s been a longtime symbol in his work over the years.

Overall, Verdy hopes ComplexCon was seen by attendees as an enjoyable, one-of-a-kind experience.

“This is my version of a streetwear Disneyland,” he said, “and I want guests to feel inspired at every turn and take away moments that last forever.”

The convention likens itself to “the Pop Culture Super Bowl” — with celebrity appearances, concerts, panels on social issues and exclusive sneaker releases as part of the draw. Last year, around 150,000 attendees were logged, which is an impressive, fast-growing number compared to the estimated 30,000 in its inaugural year.

Reebok, Puma and more familiar brand names have upped the ante each year with immersive activations. The former erected an ice cream shop (minus the calories) that served its collaboration with Pharrell’s Billionaire Boys Club, sold exclusively at the event. The sneakers were scooped up en masse.

In fact, the collection’s AnswerV sneaker sold out to VIP ticket-holders 1 hour before general admissions guests swarmed the convention floor. Pharrell himself caused a frenzy when he roamed around the booth and posed for photos with fans. Meanwhile, Puma welcomed attendees to “Futro Land” — a neon-lit arcade with its merchandise for sale.

“This is where you show up and put your best work on display,” said K-Swiss president Barney Waters. The brand tapped longtime collaborator Gary Vaynerchuk, VaynerMedia CEO, to debut his new sneaker — done in the same dusky coral tone that matched its booth. The social media star was feted by fans who purchased his 005 shoe and received a meet and greet as part of the package.

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“It’s almost like an important moment in the relationship we had with Gary V,” Waters said. The differentiation between K-Swiss and competitors that brought traditional celebrities like athletes and entertainers was a success — to the tune of 50,000 pairs sold. “It’s another ComplexCon, but it’s this sort of moment where it’s finally validated everything we originally thought,” Waters added.

It’s not only sportswear brands that create buzz. Sneaker Lab, which produces environmentally-friendly sneaker cleaning products, held an activation in partnership with Old Spice for its first time at the Long Beach convention. “I think it’s a perfect partner,” said Paul Baclawsi, Sneaker Lab director of marketing. “It’s a great way for Old Spice to enter into the sneaker world and it’s a great way for us to partner up and show what we can do to this consumer.”

Founded in South Africa, the brand began operations in the U.S. 3 years ago in downtown Los Angeles, where it offers its products for sale as well as cleaning services. By collaborating with a familiar name, it helped Sneaker Lab catch the attention of attendees with an immersive spa-like experience — fancy robes and all.

“It gets them to experience the brand. Our brand has a hard message: it’s environmentally friendly. It’s a hard message to get across, especially with today’s noise,” Baclawsi explained. “We get them to sit down and we clean their shoes and they see that is works.” Baclawsi added that Sneaker Lab took part in ComplexCon’s smaller Chicago convention last July, which proved to be a good testing ground for a bigger entry this time around.

Of course, the stakes are high on the fast-paced convention floor — where long lines and short attention spans are plentiful. Rapper 21 Savage, who has collaborated with Timberland and starred in Adidas campaigns, joined with Tequila Avión to parachute merchandise to fans from an elevated booth. Fellow rapper Tyga debuted his sneaker collaboration with Von Dutch and signed merchandise for fans at the brand’s booth. Some names on the showroom floor were Offset, Lil Pump, Tinashe, Chuck D, NFL athletes Todd Gurley and Marshawn Lynch. Other ComplexCon guests included Usher, Selena Gomez, Yara Shahidi, Kid Cudi, Eve and Timothy Chalamet.

The 19-year-old “Grown-ish” star, who is known for her love of sneakers, dressed in a pale mint green romper courtesy of Zimmerman and a pair of Pharrell Williams’ Adidas Hu NMD x Human Made shoes.

The style, which is available to shop for $250, features a white knit upper, Boost cushioning, red laces and a red embroidered “Human Made” heart graphic. The shoe released last month as part of the NMD “Love” pack collaboration, which included three sneakers from Williams.

Meanwhile, moderator Elaine Welteroth paired Kerby Jean-Raymond‘s Reebok by Pyer Moss Experiment 4 Fury Trail shoe, which released today, with a black dress. The low-top is colorful and features three layers meant to symbolize a person’s ascent to success through adversity.

As for Storm Reid, the 16-year-old actress wore leopard sneakers with bright orange accents from the Atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Animal 3.0 pack. She styled the kicks with a matching sweatshirt, black leggings and assortment of jewelry.

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