BLACK BLOGGAH

I'M NOT SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS ONE, but I suspect his mentor Andy Warhol would have approved. It's also probably old hat to all the fashion heads out there but it was news to me to hear that the estate of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat has entered into a multi-year agreement with Reebok to produce a new collection of shoes as well as a new global ad campaign.

First released in October 2005 as a limited edition of 60 pairs and available only at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, the Reebok "Reebopper" Jean Michel Basquiat shoe is now available from select retailers. The shoe is limited to 1500 pairs with 3 different colorways and an intended 500 total pairs per colorway. The new shoe, designed by Maharishi of London, features the late artist's favorite colors -- black, red and white -- as well as his trademark crown logo. The shoe is priced at $140 and available at Karmaloop.

Reebok's "I Am What I Am" campaign (Reebok's largest advertising spending in 10 years) is including Basquiat along with other celebrities, including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Allen Iverson and Christina Ricci. The deal was promoted by David Stark, president of the brand licensing agency Artestar and agent for the Basquiat estate.


thanks: agenda,inc. and artnet for the linkup