Much like his influence on the world of K-pop, G-Dragon has made a mark on the streetwear and sneaker space over the past 10 years, from building his music career to launching his fashion label PEACEMINUSONE. Having debuted his first-ever collaboration with Nike, the 34-year-old has returned with another drop with the Swoosh — the Kwondo 1 sneaker dressed in a black-and-white "Panda" colorway with an accompanying apparel range, which lands on HBX on April 16.
Just in time for the release of the collaborative collection, we're taking a look back at G-Dragon's impact on fashion and streetwear, as well as his years-long relationship with Nike. From the initial launch of PEACEMINUSONE all the way to the Air Force 1 "Para-Noise" and now Kwondo 1, continue scrolling to read about G-Dragon's Nike collaboration over the years.
The PEACEMINUSONE x Nike Kwondo 1 apparel collection launches on April 16 at HBX.com and in-store at HBX Hong Kong.
G-Dragon's Influence on Streetwear and Fashion
For those who are unfamiliar, G-Dragon kickstarted his career as a musician under K-pop giant YG Entertainment, leading the South Korean quintet Big Bang. Upon their debut in 2006, the group quickly rose to fame not only for their catchy music and stage presence, but also for their style heavily influenced by streetwear.
In particular, G-Dragon became the style icon of his time, expanding beyond his South Korean roots to attending Fashion Weeks worldwide, becoming close friends with industry heavyweights like Karl Lagerfeld and Jeremy Scott. His growing influence in fashion led to LVMH investing more than $50 million USD In YG Entertainment, while he later became a brand ambassador for Chanel.
In 2016, G-Dragon teamed up with his stylist Gee Eun to create PEACEMINUSONE. Upon its official launch, the label released collaborations with names like AMBUSH after launching partnerships with Chow Tai Fook and Giuseppe Zanotti. Expanding worldwide, G-Dragon opened PEACEMINUSONE pop-ups in Seoul, Miami, Osaka and Hong Kong, rising to one of the most coveted labels in the space.
PEACEMINUSONE x Nike Air Force 1 "Para-Noise"
Toward the end of G-Dragon’s mandatory military service, rumors of a PEACEMINUSONE x Nike collaboration surfaced online in the summer of 2019. Leaked images revealed an Air Force 1 covered in a cracked black exterior with hits of color subtly peeping through. White Swooshes added contrast along with the midsole, which was highlighted with black paint strokes.
While the idea of collaborations between brands and artists had been around for years, this particular team-up was significant for both K-pop and streetwear, as G-Dragon had become the first Asian rapper to have landed a deal with the Swoosh. The musician had also been on a hiatus due to his time in the military, making the launch even more special for his fans and sneakerheads alike.
Also created in friends and family-exclusive editions, the "Para-Noise" shoe unsurprisingly became one of the most coveted sneaker collaborations of the year. The initial drop sold out in a few hours, while fans took to resale platforms to get their hands on the sneaker with prices going as high as $4,000 USD for the Korea-exclusive pair. A listing additionally revealed a friends and family pair, limited to 88 units only, being resold for almost ₩40 million KRW (approximately $32,000 USD at the time).
Building on the success, the Swoosh joined forces with G-Dragon once again on a "Para-Noise 2.0" version of the Air Force 1. In contrast to its predecessor, the kicks came in an all-white base concealing artwork underneath. The shoes kept their key design elements such as the daisy motif on the tongue, paint strokes on the midsole and "그냥해 ("Just Do It" written in Korean)" on the interior.
PEACEMINUSONE x Nike Kwondo 1
G-Dragon followed up on his successful collaboration with the Swoosh by dropping another sneaker silhouette inspired by his Korean roots. The shoe – taking elements from the Nike Tiempo and classic golf shoes – was named Kwondo 1, after taekwondo, G-Dragon’s legal name Kwon Ji-young and Nike’s iconic “Just Do It” slogan.
The sneakers, which initially launched in an all-white version in December 2021, come with a detachable cover on the lacing system, allowing them to be worn in two different styles. The design is highlighted with PEACEMINUSONE’s signature peace logo branding, as well as the K-pop rapper’s recognizable daisy branding at the heel.
Less than a year after the release of the all-white Kwondo 1, G-Dragon returned once again with a “Panda”-themed iteration of the sneaker model. Maintaining the original design, the latest sneaker comes with a white base, while black overlays on the mudguard, Swoosh, lacing system, tongue, heel, sole and more add contrast.
An added element to the Kwondo 1 collaboration, the “Panda” sneakers arrive alongside a range of apparel, also inspired by the art of taekwondo. Dressed in all-black, the collection consists of utility-focused trousers and vests inspired by protective gear worn during taekwondo matches. The pieces are complete with PEACEMINUSONE branding, as well as a waist belt that can be used for styling a variety of looks.