FAMU Nike Dunk Low sneakers, designed by a 2018 alumna, launch at Tallahassee shoe store
Alaijah Brown
Florida A&M University just got new bragging rights with the release of its own Nike Dunk Low. The stylish sneaker was exclusively launched Friday at the APB Store in CollegeTown.
Students, alumni and sneakerheads lined up outside the West Gaines Street store for a chance to purchase the shoes that are only available at the Tallahassee APB store while supplies last. Information was not released on how many of the $120 shoes were available.
“It’s something special for an HBCU to have their own pair of dunks,” said Angie Smith, a FAMU alumna who came out to buy a pair of the sneakers and support her friend Caitlyn Davis, a FAMU graduate chosen by Nike to design the FAMU model of the footwear.
“FAMU is everything to me. I’m also a sneaker collector, so for a shoe to come out that was designed by my friend I had to come out here and get in line,” Smith said inside the shop.
Gallery:Florida A&M alumna designs FAMU inspired Nike 'HBCU Dunk Lows'
Rattlers football:Analyzing how FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa got 'comfortable' through first five games
The sneaker is designed with FAMU’s campus and culture in mind. “WE BRAGG DIFFERENT,” along with the school's founding year, runs across the back of the shoes to represent Bragg Stadium.
Under the tongue of the sneaker is the inscription, “Strike, Strike and Strike Again” and the bottom is an orange and green snakeskin with an icy blue cover. The laces are tipped with “FAMULY” and embroidered in green is the acronym “COLAC”, for the “college of love and charity."
The shoes will be available on Nike's SNKRS app as of Oct. 18, according to Davis's Instagram.
Davis, an Atlanta native, said she worked on the shoe for more than a year, even consulting with FAMU President Larry Robinson on design options. Davis graduated from FAMU in 2018 with a degree in biology/pre-medicine. She previously collaborated with Nike on the debut Yardrunner campaign, which showcased HBCUs and their rich history and culture.
“We were able to talk to big Nike leaders and show them that HBCUs are the culture, and we are the ones driving the dollars to their shoes,” Davis said of herself and the other designers for the other Nike HBCU dunks. Other HBCUs with their own design are Clark Atlanta University, North Carolina A&T University and Tennessee State University.
The Tallahassee APB store is managed by Lunden Austin, a Tallahassee native. He invited local artist, Matthew Forrest, who is also known as Briteso, to do a live painting of the sneakers inside the store. DJ Demp provided the music and free food was available from Pineappetit.
Two members of the Marching 100 attended to support Davis.
“They asked for Marching 100 members to come out and support and I think it’s really dope,” said Rae'kwan Bostic, an alto saxophone member of the Marching 100. “I love all the publicity FAMU is getting from the shoe.”
Hopeful shoppers lined the street early, with some waiting in line for hours and traveling far for a chance to cop the spirited sneakers.
“I heard everything was first-come, first-served so I came out early,” said Quentin Williams, who was line by 9 a.m. with friends for the noon opening.
On Thursday, APB gave a pair of the sneakers to Robinson and FAMU’s head football coach Willie Simmons.
Back story:FAMU football's Willie Simmons gifted with exclusive Nike sneakers ahead of SC State game
Jordan Smith, a business administration student at FAMU who owns a thrift clothing business called Gar-bage, said he was inspired by designer Caitlyn Davis’s entrepreneurial spirit and love for FAMU.
"We're really out here to acknowledge and respect everything that FAMU has done and everything that we do for FAMU."
Andre Rhodes never attended FAMU, but he drove from Miami Friday morning to buy the sneakers and add to his sneaker collection.
“I think it’s the best HBCU collection that Nike has done so far,” Rhodes said.
Contact Democrat writer Alaijah Brown at ABrown1@gannett.com and on Twitter at @BrownAlaijah.