Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals, capturing the attention of basketball fans worldwide. During the series, Kyrie took the court in the ANTA Kai 1 Speed, a new model that is actually the first signature sneaker for his father Drederick. For its debut colorway, the Kai 1 Speed will pay homage to his parents, Elizabeth and Dred Irving, with the Twin Flame rendition.
The ANTA Kai 1 Speed Twin Flame significantly evolved from the original Kai 1. ANTA streamlined the design of the sneaker, featuring less paneling along the forefoot and removing the forefoot strap, creating a sleek and modern silhouette.
The toebox embroidery honors Kyrie and his mother Elizabeth's Native American heritage, adding a personal and meaningful touch to the sneaker's design. As for the color scheme, this Twin Flame colorway is deeply symbolic. Purple represents Dred, orange signifies Elizabeth, and pink symbolizes their combined energy and love, encapsulating Kyrie's essence.
This thoughtful palette not only adds visual appeal but also tells the story of Irving's family and the bond they share. Additional details include the numbers 88 and 89 on the tongue, marking the years Dred and Elizabeth attended Boston University, where their love story began. These elements make the ANTA Kai 1 Speed Twin Flame a tribute to Kyrie's roots and his parents' enduring influence on his life.
Matt Franklin, a footwear designer at ANTA, gave some insight into the design of the sneaker, stating, “Dred and I wanted to build a shoe with Anta’s best technologies for players in mulitple positions. All of which expand upon Kyrie’s legacy and journey. It was a team effort from the entire US Design Center crew to bring this shoe to life.”
The ANTA Kai 1 Speed Twin Flame will release on September 28, 2024, through ANTA, Foot Locker, and Dick's Sporting Goods online and in-store. Available in men's sizing, retail is set at $125. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
ANTA Kai 1 Speed Twin Flame
Images via ANTA
Images via Foot Locker
Image via ANTA
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
