This year is the 600th anniversary of the completion of Beijing’s Forbidden City. The grand palace was the home to the Chinese emperor since the Ming dynasty up to the end of the Qing dynasty. In an ode to the magnificence of the palace, Nike has released a new Dunk Low Disrupt collection that aptly reflects the opulence of the royal residence.

Nike has partnered with Jordan Brand previously to release two sneakers: The Air Jordan 7s and Air Jordan 35s. The two Air Jordans were an instant hit in China as many of its people are ardent basketball fans. While the previous releases targeted men, the new Dunk Low Disrupt sneakers have the ladies in mind. 

Dubbed as the “Forbidden City”, the new Disrupt sneakers aim to incorporate the lavishness of the palace-turned-museum into its design. Capturing the heyday of the Forbidden Palace, lustrous pearls adorn the collars of the shoes. Marbled detailings are also seen lining parts of the collar and Nike Sportwear tongue badge of the shoes. 

An interesting feature of the shoes is the special coating applied to the uppers, where its initial ice blue colouring fades away to reveal a vibrate shade of orange and jade colours. This calls to mind the snow-covered statues found around the palace which melts to unveil its majestic features and colours. Nearing the base of the shoes, the semi-translucent outsole, decorated with marble patterns is a nod to the place’s stone steps — completing the entire look of the shoes. This pair of shoes is definitely a statement piece that will make you the prime focus so wear them out with confidence and bask in the attention.

The Nike Dunk Low Disrupt “Forbidden City” prices at ¥999 CNY (approximately $153 USD) at Nike SNKRS China is out now.

All images courtesy of Nike