For 20 years, the design community awaits Pantone to release their Color of the Year. Since 2000, Pantone Color institutes what they believe to be the color that defines the expression of the year. Pantone has said that

“…(that the color) has always been an integral part of how a culture expresses the attitudes and emotions of the times.”

The color has inspired many artists, companies, and commercial brands since the launch of the campaign. For example, in 2012, the color of the year was Tangerine Tango, which was used for a makeup line in partnership with the brand Sephora. They created products such as lip glosses, false eyelashes, nail polish, creams, and glitters.

This year, Pantone announced that 2020’s Color of the Year is PANTONE 19–4052 Classic Blue. Pantone claimed the color to be “Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.” (source Pantone)

Colors of the Year in Sneakers

Streetwear has a significant effect on style in this day and age. Sneakers play a massive role in every outfit. Shoes range anywhere from designer brands like Dior, Balenciaga, and Gucci, to brands everyone grew up wearing like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance. I want to find some of the most iconic drops that happened that year that lines up with the unique Pantone’s Color of the Year.

2010 one of the most iconic Nike Air Max collaboration, Dutch artist Parra and Amsterdam boutique Patta, created the Air Max 1 Cherrywood. In 2009, Patta and Nike released a collection of four collaborations on the Nike Air Max 1 in celebration of Patta’s Fifth Anniversary. Still, the fifth pair, the most anticipated, did not release until later on in March of 2010. The upper is crafted primarily out of burgundy suede and mesh with chenille applied to the Swoosh and tongue. Subtle turquoise accents complement the burgundy. Patta Air Max 1 was released in Amsterdam and only a very select number of Nike Sportswear retailers.

2011 brought another Jordan 3 Cement, making it an excellent year for the sneaker community. With a groundbreaking design, Tinker Hatfield delivered the beautiful Jordan 3 silhouette. Not to add, Michael Jordan wore Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” to play in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, also known as his ‘Break Out’ season. In honor of Michael Jordan’s birthday and the 30th anniversary of its debut. With a clean black upper and Elephant Print, “Cement” colored details. With honeysuckle, red accents complement the shoe creates a timeless look wore through centuries. When the 2001 “Black Cement” Air Jordan 3 released, we were all reminded by the influence that Michael Jordan honestly had on the sneaker community.

2012 brought the Air Yeezy 2, considered to be one of the most hyped and sought-after sneakers of all-time after the Air Yeezy 1. Released in 3 different colorways, the Kanye West partnership made a significant impact on the hype community. Designed by Nathan VanHook, the Nike Air Yeezy 2 took inspiration from classic Nike silhouettes such as Air Trainer 1, Air Foamposite One, and the Air Tech Challenge 2. Kanye also has collaborations with Babe, Louie Vuitton, and Adidas. By 2014, Kanye left his deal with Nike and partnered with Adidas in one of the most surprising deals in sneaker history.

The sneaker featured a Black-based upper with Solar Red accents atop glow-in-the-dark outsoles. It is tied together with a clean black anaconda skin texture and a touch of black suede, followed by the Egyptology references on the tongue and mid-foot strap. The shoe’s iconic contrast with the touch of tangerine tango has the resell price of well over $4,000 on considerable sites like Stock X and Goat.

2013 Adidas released arguably one of their most iconic silhouettes, Stan Smith. The name came from the #1 American tennis player and two-time Grand Slam singles champion. The original shoe was named after Robert Haillet, who was just one of the two professional French Tennis players of their time. In 1971, Haillet had retired, and Adidas was searching for the next tennis player to replace and update the classic Haillet shoe. Adidas approached Stan Smith to endorse the so-called Haillet shoe in 1973.

The clean silhouette kept its look from the Haillet shoe, with changing only a few details. White leather covers the entire sneaker, with the only real dash of color being the heel tab, being a bright emerald. The green foam padding was added to the heel in the late-1960s for added Achilles Tendon protection and a herringbone bottom sole — designed for use on clay courts. In 2011, the tennis shoe made its impressive appearance by Phoebe Philo, as creative director of Celine, took her final bow at her Fall/Winter show in a pair of Stan Smiths. She brought back the original hype Adidas saw when they first released the shoe. Thanks to Phoebe, the sneaker has been a massive influence within the streetwear community.

2014 Vans Syndicate teamed up with Tyler the Creator’s Odd Future label to create an original Old Skool Pro S design. The sneaker was established as the perfect skateboarding shoe, giving extra support near the ankle compared to the slip-on and authentic. The pump itself is a bright blue suede built upon a radiant orchid pink sole. Accented by the white signature vans stripe found on all their Old Skool models. The back heel counter has a stitched “Golf” on the left shoe while the right had “Wang.”

2015 left sneakerheads excited for the highly anticipated release of the Jordan 1 Retro Chicago designed by Peter Moore. Nike states, “Since his game-winning shot that brought championship glory to North Carolina, Michael Jordan has been at the forefront of basketball consciousness. He took the court in 1985 wearing the original Air Jordan I, simultaneously breaking league rules and his opponents’ will while capturing the imagination of fans worldwide.” (source)

The ‘Chicago’ was first retro-ed in 1994 and stayed true to the 1985 design. The colorway based on Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls era with the iconic white, black, and marsala red. As of the 2015 retros, there were a few modifications to the heel and the tongue. The shoe is a sneaker staple and one all hypebeast should have.

2016 Nike collab with Kith to create the Air Force 1 Linen. They are released initially as an exclusive Japan sneaker for the ‘Concept Japan’ collection in 2001. The limited-edition reproduction happened in 2016 via raffle to launch Kith’s Miami store during the Art Basel. The sneaker is fitted with premium leather tan upper with a rose quartz swoosh, white midsole, and pink outsole.

2017 Kanye West dropped a non-boost silhouette, which made it one of Yeezy’s most controversial shoes at the time. Similar to the glorified Reebok Classic, the Powerphase silhouette was a very old school and had a pure 80s feel.

The sneaker is dressed in an authentic off-white buttery leather, which enhanced the vintage feel. Accompanied by the stunning gold ‘Calabasas’ following the slant of the three stripes. The bright greenery ‘Adidas’ and the maroon logo brings a unique twist to this simple silhouette.

2018 Nike dropped a highly collectible sneaker. Sean Wotherspoon designed this iconic shoe for the Vote Forward competition. Nike states, “The voter-approved design channels his passion for ’80s culture while drawing influence from vintage corduroy caps, his native Virginia and LA, and his two favorite sneakers: the Air Max 1 and the Air Max 97.” (Source)

Wotherspoon combined the upper of an Air Max 97 & the outsole and midsole of the Air Max 1. Dressed in multicolored corduroy, featuring the striking ultra violet, which was inspired by vintage Nike hats from the ’80s.

“I tried to bring together people who represent different types of sneakerheads, collectors, consumers, and styles.”

Sean Wotherspoon

2019 was a massive year for the sneaker community. With iconic shoes that released like Sacai x Nike LDV Waffle, Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1, Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 “MCA,” and Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike VaporMax 2019–2019 was by far arguably one of the most critical years for sneakers. Nike even had a rerelease of the iconic Air Jordan IV Bred.

On October 11, 2019, Travis Scott and Nike released the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 6’s at the retail price of $250. The colorway was organic and original, featuring a medium olive, black sail university, and stunning living coral accents. The side cargo pocket modification made the sneaker a first of its kind. Travis Scott himself first rocked the shoe on stage during his Super Bowl LIII performance.

2020 has a full lineup of absolute heat. In May, Nike is expected to release Jordan 1 Game Royals colorway, which is similar to the collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Jordan 1 Fragments and the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ‘Game Royal’. The ever so slightly color blocking in the ankle underlays and the toe boxes bring sneakerheads a new shocking classic blue Jordan. The rest is followed by the simple neutrals colorway. They will be releasing on May 9th for $170 at select Jordan retailers.

How can I leave my mark on the world, I thought, unless I get out there first and see it?

Phil Knight, Shoe Dog