The sneakers’ colors are inspired by the Philippine flag with various elements from Quiccs’s famous and best-selling TEQ63 toys part of the design.
True to his MVP stature, Brooklyn Nets star James Harden kept his promise to Filipino basketball fans: a Philippine-themed basketball shoe from Adidas.
Harden made the promise during his last visit to Manila on June 2019.
Almost two years later, Filipino NBA fans were surprised when he wore the “Manila Heritage” shoes during Game Three of their First Round Eastern Conference playoffs against the Boston Celtics.
Although fans may be concerned about Harden’s hamstring injury that kept him mostly out of Game One and all of Game Two, which the Brooklyn Nets both won, against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, his Filipino supporters rejoiced when his shoe collaboration with Filipino toy designer Quiccs was released in all Adidas stores in Manila on Saturday (June 12), to coincide with the celebration of the country’s Independence Day.
Quiccs is Juanito Maiquez, one of the world’s best toy designers and the first Filipino to collaborate with Adidas and specifically for the Harden Vol. 5 “Manila Heritage” colorway shoes.
“James Harden single handedly blew up the hype for the shoes because of Game Three,” Quiccs said as he and Adidas were much worried about the marketing drive prior the release—they weren’t sure when Harden would wear the shoes.
Following the match with Boston, sneaker Facebook groups locally and abroad started talking about how awesome the shoes were designed and the eagerness to get a pair.
With the impending release of the Harden Vol.5 Manila Heritage series, Quiccs, a soft-spoken and grounded award-winning designer and toy artist, has expanded his canvas from toys, apparel, accessories, face masks, gaming chairs and now, to sneakers.
The sneakers’ colors are inspired by the Philippine flag with various elements from Quiccs’s famous and best-selling TEQ63 toys part of the design.
The Quiccs x Harden vol.5 “Manila Heritage” basketball sneakers will have a very exclusive release to the Philippines in selected Adidas stores nationwide. (NP)
Tags: #basketball, #JamesHarden, #Adidas, #Quiccs, #collaboration