Perhaps, then, it speaks to the mastery of this process by Nike, that their basketball-oriented sneakers have gone on to dominate the cultural scene for the last 50 years: seeding the notion that high-performance extends beyond the court, and is a necessity required by all professions and aesthetes. 

At Lemkus, with our focus on creativity, our high-performers are the members of our incredibly talented network of creatives, who are shaping culture in the country and beyond. It only makes sense that with Nike’s streamlined drop of some of the most iconic basketball silhouettes, we had to call in our very own athletes - to showcase the symphonically balanced iterations held together by a colourway across Hemp, Baroque Brown and Coconut Milk.

Few artistic crafts are as relevant in the digital age than graphic design. To visually communicate, with pixels as your paint, is one of the most critical components to world-building for brands. In this respect, Chad Anthony is a player for the age - with his design-led thinking suffusing the visual identities of brands like Broke and Acid Restaurant and Wine Bar as contemporary artistic feats, dripping with nostalgia. 

Chad is our player for the  Dunk Hi Retro SE - a sneaker that exemplifies Nike's commitment to blending heritage with contemporary style. A revival of the iconic Dunk High silhouette from the '80s, this Special Edition (SE) iteration captures the essence of retro basketball fashion while infusing modern design elements. The sneaker features a high-top profile and provides ankle support that resonates with all high-performers, everywhere. 

Otsile Moumakoe is the founder and creator of VTSEK. Studios - one of the most intrinsically South African, cultural and digital archives. Born from Otsile’s diet of American pop culture and penchant for photoshop, his digital art portrays figures like Madiba or BROKE alongside Tupac or Virgil Abloh; a true fusion of American culture through a South African lens. As a creative player, Otsile scores exceptionally high in his ingenuity, as one of the principle builders of South Africa’s digital expression in the 2020’s and beyond.   

So, Otsile was perfect for the Air Max2 CB '94 : a cultural classic, synonymous with the larger-than-life personality of its ambassador, Charles Barkley. Launched in the mid-'90s, this sneaker reflects the bold and robust style of Barkley’s style of play: featuring a distinctive, chunky silhouette with a prominent midsole. With Air Max2 technology in the sole providing unparalleled cushioning and support, the Air Max2 CB '94 has left an indelible mark on streetwear and sneaker culture. Much like Otsile will continue to do.