Li-Ning Co. and NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade announced that award-winning
footwear and accessory designer Alejandro Ingelmo has been selected as a
creative consultant for special projects for Wade, the new athletic and
lifestyle footwear and apparel collection launched in October. As chief
brand officer, Wade personally selected Ingelmo as his first design
hire to collaborate on two sneakers for Wade
Often referred to simply by his initials “AI,” the Cuban-American
Ingelmo has been turning heads with his modern and innovative looks that
pay homage to traditional craftsmanship, his Cuban heritage, and New
York City’s edge, since he launched his first line in 2006. His boutique
retail store on Wooster Street in Manhattan's Soho area is a favorite
among celebrities and athletes, including Wade, Rihanna, Chris Evans,
Emma Stone, Joe Jonas, Rita Ora, Allison Williams, Christina Ricci, and
others. In 2008, AI, who grew up in Miami, was a Top Ten finalist of the
prestigious CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund, which recognizes the best
up-and-coming design talent. He was nominated in both 2009 and 2011 for
the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design.
“I’ve been of a fan of
AI for a long time now and from the moment I partnered with Li-Ning I’ve
been excited to bring him onto our design team,” said Wade.
“Alejandro's knowledge of mixing fashion and street elements into his
designs mirrors my personal style and the vision for the footwear we
will bring to the market.”
AI’s first design for Wade will be a
lifestyle/basketball cultural sneaker that leverages the Way of Wade
on-court shoe that Wade has been wearing during games this season. The
shoe will be available in spring 2013 after debuting during AI’s Fashion
Week Show in New York City in February.
“Working with Dwyane and
Li-Ning is a great opportunity for me and I’m excited for us to
collaborate on some amazing products,” said Ingelmo. “Dwyane’s style
pushes boundaries with his edgy approach to traditional silhouettes.
I’ve been very impressed with the on-court WADE sneaker designs I’ve
seen so far and they’re helping inspire my design, which I believe will
be something very special and unlike anything else out there.”
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