tom sachs
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Source: Nike / Complex
For a minute there it seemed like Nike would ending their partnership with Tom Sachs after some disturbing allegations were made about him by some of his former employees. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case, as Nike is prepping to release a new collaboration with the controversial artists and designer.
According to Nice Kicks, Nike will indeed continue their partnership with Tom Sachs and the Nike Mars Yard 3.0 (which was thought to be shelved) will now release in 2025. This is surprising given the misogynistic nature of the allegations made, but it seems like Nike is convinced that Sachs has turned over a new leaf and will continue to break bread for the foreseeable future.
Per Nice Kicks, Nike released the following statement:
Tom has demonstrated and recommitted to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. We can confirm that our work with Tom will continue and this next chapter of NikeCraft will uphold our shared passion for team, product, and storytelling excellence. More details to come.
Following the allegations, resale value of the Nike x Tom Sachs NikeCraft General Purpose silhouettes took a nosedive, as sneakerheads were appalled at such behavior. Still, heads were looking forward to the popular Mars Yard collaboration and will now have a chance to cop a pair when they see the light of day sometime in 2025. Go figure.
Sachs released a statement of his own, telling Complex, “I’m honored that we will continue to build together as a NikeCraft team and community. The Mars Yard 3.0 is in its final stage of development and is currently being wear-tested. I’m excited to share more soon.”
What do y’all think about Nike continuing their relationship with Tom Sachs? Let us know in the comments section below.
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The Tom Sachs x Nike “General Purpose” sneakers were arguably some of last year’s most highly sought-after kicks. Still, after his erratic behavior at his offices was made public, Nike isn’t planning on continuing their collaboration with the controversial designer.
Complex is reporting that despite rumors that their next collaborative silhouette, the Mars Yard 3.0, was still slated to release sometime in the future, Nike has decided to pull the plug on the drop given the nature of the allegations made against Sachs.
From having swastikas taped onto first aid kits (Tom is Jewish) to have a space in the studio dubbed the “rape room,” Sachs seemed to take the whole “white privilege” thing to another level. The man is accused of attending virtual meetings with female employees in his underwear, for God’s sake.
Don’t Expect Those Nike Tom Sachs Mars Yard 3.0 Anytime Soon
Complex Reports:
“We’re deeply concerned by the very serious allegations,” a Nike spokesperson said that month. “We’re in contact with Tom and his studio seeking to better understand this situation and how these issues are being addressed.”
In the wake of the report from Curbed and others, the artist sent out a letter to his staff in March showing some contrition. Sachs described the “rape room” name as a regret, a “poor reference” that was done away with years ago. He said in the letter that he’d brought in outside help to formalize human resources policies at the studio.
“I have never tried to make anyone feel uncomfortable,” Sachs wrote. “I have never harassed anyone. I would never intentionally harm anyone. Safety is a top priority in the studio. Those are the facts.”
Tom Sach’s Employees Tell A Different Story
Apparently, employees disagree with Sachs’ version of the “facts” as the accusations paint a man who fears no repercussions for his actions, including his screaming and throwing objects at people in the workplace.
Though his relationship with Nike dates back to 2012 when the two collaborated on the hugely popular Mars Yard, the accusations are enough to put the highly-anticipated Mars Yard 3.0 on hold as Nike told Complex, “We are not working with Tom’s studio at this time and have no release dates planned.”
What do y’all think of Nike possibly scrapping its relationship with Tom Sachs? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Photo: WWD / Getty
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Don’t expect New York mag’s Curbed vertical to get seeded Nikecraft GPS sneakers anytime soon, if ever. In a detailed feature, the publication details how over a dozens former employees of renowned contemporary artist Tom Sachs say that he fostered a hostile and toxic work environment in his New York City studio.
Source: @yankeekicks / Instagram
Sneakersheads are familiar with Sachs thanks to his collaborating with Nike for a decade, beginning with his highly coveted NikeCraft Mars Yard 1.0 kicks and most recently the GPS (General Purpose Sneaker) model. Although intended to be readily available, each of the initial three colorways sold out shortly after release and remain immensely popular, However, Sachs isn’t too popular with his former employees, who have accused him of various workplace shenanigans including sexual harassment, bullying and violence.
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According to Curbed’s reporting, the employees likened working for Sachs to being in a cult, and he himself described it as such. Also, he allegedly discussed porn openly with his staff.
Per Curbed:
There was vintage porn on the walls of the studio, and Sachs talked at group lunches about the types of porn he was into, including VR. The studio says pornography was mentioned only in the context of projects. “It was always supposed to be ‘for a project,’” says the third former studio assistant. “But what project, I never saw.” Sachs brought up sex and bodies a lot. “He talked to me about women all the time,” says the former studio manager. When he found out about one administrative employee’s living situation, he asked if she was “fucking all of [her] roommates”; another time, he told her she was “lucky to live in a day and age when curves and butts are in fashion.”
Also, the alleged misogyny was in the red in Sachs’ world.
Sachs had a “type,” which he spoke openly about in the office. The administrative employee remembers Sachs bringing his toddler to the studio: “He pointed to me and was like, ‘See, this is what we call a “shiksa goddess.” This is what we call Daddy’s type.’ He said that kind of shit all the time.” (Sachs’s studio says this was a joke.) Another young female studio member says she was afraid to be alone in the studio at night with him. He called a storage room in the basement the “rape room”; in 2016, he changed it to the “consent room.” (Sachs’s studio says this was also a joke.) And while Sachs sometimes required his employees to wear uniforms, he himself was often in formfitting underwear in the studio, according to seven former members. He once even showed up to a Zoom call with female Nike employees in his underwear, according to the administrative employee, who was on the call.
Sachs and his reps are vehemently denying all the accusations in Curbed’s story—and maintain that some of the eyebrow-raising accusations were mere “jokes.” Other accusations include the hurling of objects, uncouth comments and generally abusive behavior by Sachs.
Most of those interviewed did so anonymously due to fear of retaliation in the small fraternity of the art world.
Nike has yet to comment on the story.
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Source: @yankeekicks / Instagram
The Tom Sachs x Nike collaborative Nikecraft was one of the surprise hits of 2022 and it seems like the duo is readying a new colorway of their General Purpose Shoe to get 2023 popping.
Highsnobiety is reporting that a third colorway of the Tom Sachs Nikecraft General Purpose Shoe (which arrives in women’s sizing so take note if you get to order) get some buzz building before its release next month.
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According to rumors buzzing around social [sic] media accounts within the sneaker world, Tom Sachs and Nike’s latest GPS sneaker releases on February 5 in a “Field Brown” colorway for the typical price of $110.
In this new form, the same GPS silhouette that fans have come to covet is rendered in an earthy suede, with black laces, Swoosh, and midsole that make the silhouette extra understated, as revealed in early September 2022 photos taken by sneaker leaker @YankeeKicks.
In this extra-subtle form, Sachs’ shoe truly does resemble the Nike Killshot that came before, as its most unusual details — toebox mudguard, reinforced mesh paneling — is obscured by the single hue.
These lowkey look like Timberland field boots, but we’re sure they’re more comfortable. Don’t be surprised if these are seen all over the Big Apple after they drop.
Though resale prices for the first two colorways (a white version followed by a yellow variant) aren’t as high as say a Travis Scott or Off-White Nike collaboration, the Tom Sachs GPS are still a very hot commodity out on these streets, so don’t think for a second these will be an easy cop.
Release date for these puppies is currently set for February 5th. Will you be picking up a pair? Let us know in the comments section below.
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