Brand: 24 Karats x mita sneakers x Mizuno

Model: Contender

Release Date: September 4

Price: $150

Buy: Online at Hanon, BSTN, Solebox, SNS, Footpatrol, and OVERKILL

Editor's Notes: When Jeremy Scott and adidas announced the return of the Forum Wings 1.0 "Money," it felt like we'd fallen asleep and woken up in the early 2000s. Suddenly shoes had wings again, and there was money everywhere. Now, Mizuno is preparing to give Scott a run for his money with a '90s-inspired collaboration of its own.

Back in 2018, Mizuno assembled its own Avengers team in the form of Kazoku. The creative collective is comprised of like-minded, sneaker-obsessed brands and retailers from around the globe, such as Footpatrol and Wood Wood. One of the team's original members and frequent Mizuno collaborators, mita sneakers, is world-renowned for its contributions to the sneaker game.

For the latest collaborative silhouette from the pair, cult Japanese streetwear store 24 Karats steps up for a threeway creation that utilizes the Mizuno Contender as its canvas. The Contender marks the second collaboration from the three, who previously aligned to produce the 24 Karats x mita sneakers x Mizuno Wave Rider 1 in 2019.

Much like the Wave Rider 1, the Contender is unmistakeably bold. At first glance, the sneaker's "beef and broccoli" inspired suede and leather overlays stand out; before drawing your attention to the $100 bill print that fills the underlays and tongue.

Much like Jeremy Scott's divisive Wings, the 24 Karats x mita sneakers x Mizuno Contender is certainly a daring creation. Regardless of how fans react to pairs such as these, it's great to see sneaker brands taking risks and experimenting.