Kyrie Irving's new signature shoe journey is officially underway, and fans can finally start adding the KAI 1 to their collection. After signing a new partnership with ANTA in June 2023, Irving sported the Shock Wave 5 Pro on court until his debut KAI 1 release on March 6, 2024. Although this new partnership has just begun, Kyrie Irving has already started to tease fans by debuting new colorways on court.
ANTA KAI 1 'Artist On Court'
The 'Artist On Court' colorway is Kyrie Irving's debut KAI 1 release with ANTA. The purple design incorporates custom hieroglyphs on the upper, which Kyrie and the ANTA design team designed, connecting the shoe to Kyrie's ancestral roots. The design also includes Native American inspiration and colors representing the symbolic significance of the Four Sacred Directions and the psychological and physical effects of colors on the body and mind.
ANTA KAI 1 'Kaiverse'
Debuted on court by Kyrie Irving during a Mavericks game, the 'Kaiverse' colorway celebrates the grand opening of ANTA's new flagship store in Beijing, Sneaker Verse. Releasing on Kyrie Irving's birthday (March 23), the shoe is limited to only 323 pairs. The design features a chrome upper with red, purple, and orange accents. Sneaker Verse branding is also incorporated into the shoe's strap and heel.
ANTA KAI 1 'Enlightened Warrior'
The KAI 1 'Enlightened Warrior' is the third official release from Kyrie Irving's signature line with ANTA. The designers behind the shoe have crafted a unique narrative that marries African American and Indigenous cultures, creating a colorway that reflects the heritage of Kyrie Irving. The design team has strategically used color to parallel Irving's layers, with purple as the beacon, symbolizing mysticism and magic in African culture. The color scheme also includes red for strength, yellow for speed, green for focus, and purple for agility, further enhancing the sneaker's appeal.
ANTA KAI 1 'Playoffs Pack'
Kyrie Irving also debuted these two colorways of the ANTA KAI 1 on court during the NBA regular season. The 'Playoffs Pack' draws inspiration from the colors on the Dallas Mavericks jerseys. The first one features a white base with blue, gold, pink, and green accents. The second colorway features a dark blue base with similar accenting to the white base version but instead incorporates more pink into the design.
