Boutique retailer Sneaker Politics and Reebok have joined forces to deliver a special edition of the NPC UK CNL silhouette. Aptly dubbed “Storyville,” the sneaker is inspired by the red-light district of New Orleans, Louisiana from 1897 to 1917. Located near the French Quarter, Storyville used to occupy a sixteen-block area in the city, where governance on prostitution – although still nominally illegal – was tolerated or regulated.
The shoe draws its inspiration from Storyville and its classic interior design elements. The upper features a rich dark red leather with a quilted overlay, resting atop a gum sole. The insoles feature a red on red paisley pattern to mimic the red velvet walls that usually ran floor-to-ceiling throughout the houses of the neighborhood. Finally, tonal laces and black gloss eyelets which pays tribute to the tools of the trade, rounds out the special design.
The collaboration will officially launch on May 20 through Sneaker Politics’ Lafayette and Baton Rouge locations, followed by an online release the next day at 12 AM EST, for $110 USD.