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Pharrell Williams and Adidas’ Shocking Humanrace Sičhona

By Matthew Denis Published January 31, 2022

The sun may not be shining for much of the country right now, but we can at least count on icon Pharrell Williams to bring the rays.

Arriving in a brand-new, Shock Yellow color update, the Humanrace Sičhona from adidas continues its journey into the hearts of runners and runway sporters alike. At the end of summer 2021, the shoe apparel giant and the stylish song producer introduced the world to the Humanrace Sičhona silhouette — a new lifestyle model meant to amplify the Indigenous American Dakota tribe’s customs and culture. After adding burgundy and black versions to its original Royal Blue version throughout the fall, a fresh, bright yellow burst releases this winter.

adidas and Pharrell Williams' new Shock Yellow silhouette on the Humanrace Sičhona. — adidas

The lemon life injected in the shoe celebrates its original human-centric design and offers an ode to the organic feeling generated when we run — the original human athletic activity. The shoe meets surfaces and its public to equal acclaim, slapping over any surface and slipping into any room with equal aplomb. Already established itself as an archetype for the next generation of sneaker-lovers, the Humanrace Sičhona steps forward on its journey into the athletic community’s hearts with a sunshine-sporting offering that precedes the coming warm season.

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With a design that’s embedded in operational innovation — fluid on the fly yet built for everyday wear — the Humanrace Sičhona is modeled as an extension of the body’s natural form. This was accomplished using adidas’ FutureNatural technology and direct-inject casting — the brand’s latest footwear innovation. FutureNatural is made to mirror an athlete’s speed and quick change of direction.

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The one-piece shoe mold aligns with an athlete’s natural movement for total freedom to move along dynamic angles. Its seamless design and 360-degree fit system work together to create a natural advantage for athletes.

As to the shoe’s style, the Shock Yellow shows off undeniably fluid forms while flashing clear aqua accents on its label along with a bold orange stripe on the tongue to wag in a happy smile. The sneaker’s Primeknit upper seamlessly merges with its anatomically molded TPU midsole. Primeknit from adidas adapts shoes to hug its wearer’s feet for breathable support and sock-like comfort.

Inspired by the polymathic prodigy Farrell and a paean to the foot’s inherent natural genius, the Humanrace Sičhona’s distinct look is completed with co-branded tongue-tabs and sock-liners.

Launching on Friday, January 28, the Shock Yellow colorway of the Humanrace Sičhona will be available throughout the United States at confirmed retailers and at select Dover Street Market locations with a $180 sticker price.

Read More: Your Last Chance to Get in on Gap’s Gamified NFT

Former Freelance Writer

Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…

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Fashion & Style

YY Nation — Stylish Shoes Looking To Stomp Their Environmental Impact

YY Nation's Spectra Merino Shoe in yellow.

YY Nation's Spectra Merino Shoe in yellow. YY Nation

Looking to step up your style without impacting the environment? Look no further than YY Nation's, the maker of the world's lowest carbon footprint sneaker.

Fashion & Style

Grand Seiko’s claw-inspired watch costs $16,400

Angular evolution: Grand seiko's tokyo lion tentagraph features brilliant hard titanium construction

Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion

Grand Seiko added a watch to its Tokyo Lion collection— the Sport Collection Tokyo Lion Tentagraph. This watch comes with the brand's first mechanical chronograph movement and holds to the angular design that has set the series apart since 2019. The watch costs $16,400 and will be available in August 2025. This 43mm watch shows a clear step forward for the collection.
The lion sign stays important to Grand Seiko's identity—it stands for how easy a watch is to read, how long it lasts, how comfortable it feels, and how good it looks. This symbol has been part of the brand's history since 1960. The Tokyo Lion collection turns this symbol into a bold, angular shape that copies a lion's paw through its geometric form and surface finishes.
The newest Tentagraph watch shows more of the feline idea. Its surfaces have hairline finishes that look like claws, and this design brings out cat-like shapes across the case. The watch measures 43mm across and 15.6mm thick—these large sizes catch the eye right away. The watch feels good to wear because of how it is shaped to the body.
Grand Seiko uses Brilliant Hard Titanium in the Sports Collection for the first time. This metal is twice as hard as regular stainless steel. The alloy looks brighter than common titanium and also resists rust and scratches better, which is needed for sports watches.
The chronograph buttons have a new shape—this change makes them easier to use when someone is active. The three small dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock look three-dimensional. A Lumibrite coating on them makes sure a person can read them in all light, from bright day to full dark.
A brown silicon rubber strap comes with the watch, it has a lion's paw design on the back that adds a subtle design touch. The strap bends easily, so it feels good to wear. The case back has a slight curve. These details make the watch comfortable to wear in many places, and the watch also holds out against water down to 200 meters.
The Tentagraph Caliber 9SC5 is the main technical feature. It has a chronograph part that works at 5Hz. This fast-moving part runs for 72 hours on one charge and also protects against magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m—these are important features for a modern sports watch.
The chronograph functions add to the Tokyo Lion's sports appeal while keeping the collection's specific look. Grand Seiko's mechanical skill joins with its angular design idea, forming watches that go against how people usually think about sports watches.
People can get the watch in August 2025. It will be on Grand Seiko's website and at stores that sell its watches, this makes it easy for people around the world to buy good Japanese mechanical watches. The $16,400 price shows the better materials, the in-house movement, and the special design that set Grand Seiko's sports watches apart.
This Tentagraph shows Grand Seiko's continued step forward in expensive sports watches. It shows how old Japanese craftsmanship can take on modern design styles while keeping its technical lead and wearing comfort for demanding uses.

Fashion & Style

Gaming meets horology in Hamilton’s Death Stranding 2 timepiece

Hamilton's Kojima collaboration creates futuristic death stranding 2 timepiece

Hamilton Death Stranding 2 watch

Hamilton takes its first step into gaming by working with Kojima Productions to make a special watch for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. This work shows a change from the brand's well-known movie projects, such as Interstellar, Dune: Part Two, and Indiana Jones—it represents Hamilton's initial move into interactive entertainment.
The partnership joins Hamilton with game designer Hideo Kojima, whose studio works under the motto "From Sapiens to Ludens" while reshaping interactive entertainment. Death Stranding 2 continues the science fiction story of Sam—this story happens in a post-apocalyptic place where life and death mix through emotional plots, exploration, and strange pictures.
"Hamilton was a perfect choice as a partner to design and create a product set in the near future. Please take this watch in your hands and experience the product that connects the world of the game and the real world," explains Hideo Kojima, emphasizing the bridge between virtual and physical experiences.
The American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition displays a titanium case build with black PVD treatment that draws from Hamilton's original Boulton plan. The light, rust-proof structure shows smooth, curving lines that copy the game's distinct look while holding up well.
Seven sapphire crystals form the watch's most noticeable part. One main crystal sits in the middle, and six others pair along the case, this setup creates shifting light and a science fiction feel. The crystal layout shows the game's strange design ideas while helping people read the time.
The simple dial plan shows future plainness through grey hour markers, a bright orange seconds hand, and looped open hands that reflect the sapphire crystal pattern. A matching black PVD titanium bracelet finishes the rough, technical look suitable for post-apocalyptic journeys.
The watch includes a three-hand automatic movement with 25 jewels and an 80-hour power reserve. A Nivachron™ balance spring offers resistance to magnetism, shock, and temperature changes—these are necessary traits for surviving tough places, both virtual and real.
Art director Yoji Shinkawa worked on the design, combining Hamilton's movie history with the game's future setting. This work shows how classic Swiss watchmaking can adapt to current entertainment forms while keeping its technical quality.
The company produced 2,000 individually numbered watches. Each watch comes with special game-themed packaging that adds to its collector appeal. The work shows Hamilton's growth past traditional cinema projects into the growing gaming entertainment area.
This release puts Hamilton at the front of watch-gaming projects while honoring both brands' dedication to creative storytelling through their respective crafts.