Latest news with #sneakerdesign
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Naomi Osaka Unveils Her Pinkest NikeSneakers Yet
Naomi Osaka is known for a multitude of accomplishments. She holds four Grand Slam singles titles—two each at the Australian Open and the US Open. She was ranked world No. 1 in women's singles for 25 weeks and is the first Asian player to hold the top singles ranking. But beyond her achievements on the court—and all while being a mother—Osaka also knows how to design a great sneaker. On May 19, Naomi Osaka unveiled the Naomi Osaka x Nike GP Challenge 1, designed for the French Open. The sneaker is the epitome of femininity in sneaker form, even at first glance. An overwhelming hue of pink frames the silhouette. The "Pink Foam" colorway features a blend of baby pink, pale pink, lilac flecks on the tongue, and a deeper rose, all juxtaposed by a ribbed rubber texture at the toe and a patterned midsole. Designed with Parisian taste in mind, featuring ornate bouquet from the French Baroque era. "Deep purples and metallic gold are inspired by dark, rich gemstones and grounded in black to match Naomi's personal style." says Nike in a statement. This isn't the first time Osaka has designed a shoe with location in mind—or heritage, for that matter. In 2021, she premiered the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo 'US Open' at the tournament. On one side of the sneaker, an 'NY' patch represents the location of the 2021 US Open. A Japanese flag is also featured to represent her half-Asian heritage, and on the opposing side, there is a Haitian flag to represent her half-Haitian heritage. At the French Open, Osaka paired these sneakers with an equally pink outfit, wearing a pale pink Nike tennis dress, a hot pink visor, rose-colored wristbands, and hot pink butterfly clips. Japan's Naomi Osaka reacts during her women's singles match against Spain's Paula Badosa on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images The Naomi Osaka x Nike GP Challenge 1 are available on and retail for $180.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Adidas ‘does not own all stripes,' Steve Madden says in lawsuit
This story was originally published on Fashion Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Fashion Dive newsletter. Steve Madden is suing Adidas for allegedly using anticompetitive efforts to monopolize 'common design features' in the fashion industry, namely stripes. In court documents filed last week, Steve Madden asked the court to confirm that two of its sneaker designs, the Viento and Janos, don't infringe on Adidas' trademarks. Both are low-top, lace-up sneakers that feature two nonparallel stripes. Attorneys for Steve Madden said the company is 'tired of being targeted by Adidas' regarding footwear that bears 'no resemblance' to Adidas' trademarked three stripe design, and further argued that no customer is likely to believe the sneakers are associated with Adidas. Adidas has federal trademark protection on a three parallel stripe design in specific locations on certain items of clothing and shoes. Attorneys for Steve Madden said Adidas has complained about the designs on Steve Madden's Viento and Janos sneakers, which include a 'divergent band' design and a 'K' design, respectively. Adidas filed a request in April to extend its time to oppose Steve Madden's trademark application for the K design, and its lawyers reached out to Steve Madden about concerns over the divergent band design, per the complaint. Variations of two bands on footwear are common in the fashion industry, Steve Madden said in the complaint, which also includes images of several sneakers with two-band designs from labels including Converse, Veja, Tommy Hilfiger and Bally. 'Simply put, Adidas does not own all stripes and should not be allowed to claim that it has a monopoly on all footwear that includes stripes, bars, bands or any shape having four sides — parallel, straight or not,' attorneys for Steve Madden said in the complaint. Adidas has sued Steve Madden over stripes before. In 2002, the Germany-based company filed one complaint over a four parallel stripe design and another one over a two parallel stripe design, per the complaint. The two lawsuits were combined, and both parties reached a settlement in 2003. Steve Madden is seeking a jury trial in the latest complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The footwear brand also is asking for a declaratory judgment of non-infringement and ruling that states no unfair competition between the companies. An Adidas spokesperson declined to comment. Steve Madden isn't the only brand that Adidas has targeted with litigation over its three stripe design. Adidas sued Thom Browne in yearslong litigation over the use of stripes both in the U.S. and the U.K. Ultimately, judges ruled in favor of Thom Browne in both instances. Recommended Reading 5 fashion lawsuits and legal trends to watch in 2025
