This limited-edition footwear release marks a significant collaboration between a prominent sports brand and an acclaimed Japanese artist, emphasizing both unique design and community engagement.
\nSalomon Sportstyle Japan has joined forces with Kyoto's own artistic talent, Uchida “Uchi” Ryunosuke, to create a highly exclusive version of their popular RX SLIDE 3.0. This special edition, known as the RX SLIDE 3.0 “UCHI,” showcases a fresh interpretation of Salomon’s renowned recovery sandal, incorporating distinctive graphics inspired by pine needles and a refined, minimalist aesthetic that reflects Uchi’s naturalistic design philosophy. With only 100 pairs manufactured worldwide, these highly sought-after slides were not available for general purchase but were instead presented as a surprising token to a select group of guests during a dedicated event at the Ace Hotel Kyoto, instantly transforming them into coveted collector's pieces.
\nThe unveiling of these unique slides coincided with the latest installment of Ace Hotel’s “SLOW SERIES” workshop, which brought together over 180 participants. Attendees had the privilege of joining Uchi in an interactive natural dyeing session, utilizing dyes derived from pine needles. Beyond dyeing traditional Japanese tenugui cloths and socks, the highly anticipated unreleased RX SLIDE 3.0 shoes became the central highlight, beautifully merging artisanal skill with a sense of collective creativity. The celebratory atmosphere extended into an evening reception at Stumptown Coffee Roasters, where attendees savored custom-crafted cocktails and culinary delights, further deepening the community spirit of the event.
\nThis groundbreaking initial partnership, despite the shoes not being commercially released, strongly indicates a promising future for Uchi’s creative ventures, hinting at more exciting projects to come from the artist.