After Selling Out at Milan Fashion Week, Rapper Strick Is Bringing His Conzuri Sneaker Collaboration to the U.S.
Several rappers today have sneaker collaborations. Few, however, have delivered looks as bold and atypical as Strick with his first venture into design.
Strick, who is signed to Young Thug’s Young Stoner Life Records, has entered the world of footwear via collaboration with London-based Conzuri, a brand that specializes in shoes that elevates the wearer’s height. They teamed up to create the PFX01, a 2-in-1 sneaker executed highlighted by a removable puffer attachment, which allows the wearer to customize their look.
The sneaker launched during Milan Fashion Week in September 2023, and Conzuri confirmed it sold out within five days. Now, the brand is bringing Strick’s creation to the U.S., launching via US.Conzuri.com on Feb. 22.
Below, Strick offers FN a deep dive into his Conzuri collaboration.
With so many sneaker brands collaborating with rappers today, why will yours with Conzuri stand out? What separates your collaboration from what’s in the market?
“Simply the design. It’s never been done before. This sneaker is a first-of-its-kind because of its versatility. Also, shout out to Mikey Burger, Conzuri’s footwear designer. The design was a real collaboration between both of us. We have put in a lot of hours figuring out how to make the shoe a statement.”
How did you come up with such an atypical idea for your collaboration? Where did the inspiration come from for this sneaker?
“As an artist, creativity is just who I am, I’m surrounded by it. With this collaboration, I honestly went into my own closet to get inspired. The shoe is a melting pot of some of my favorite sneakers.”
What made Conzuri your ideal collaboration partner?
“Everything the brand stands for: their ethos, trust and growth potential. I mean, we sold out in just five days at our debut in Milan Fashion Week, and that just speaks volumes about Conzuri and its reach in itself. Jack [Consalvi], the owner, is also an extraordinary person and great business owner and for me it’s about aligning on values and people over anything else. It’s fashion’s best kept secret. It has a big European following, and now it’s time for the U.S. launch, for me to bring it home.”
What did seeing your PFX01 collaboration sell out in five days during Milan Fashion Week tell you about both your design abilities and your ability to sell product in an oversaturated market?
“It let me know that we created something special and it’s not just riding off our own high, you know? At the end of the day, this is for the consumer and if the audience loved it, we did something right.”
Aside from your Conzuri collaboration, what footwear is in your rotation today?
“My boy Hagel [Mathieu Hagelaars of Studio Hagel]. He is a phenomenal designer and creative. Everyone got to check his products out.”
In terms of music, what’s next for you? Is anything on the calendar for 2024?
“Yes [definitely]. My sophomore album and new single ‘Kisses’ featuring James Blake and Young Thug, it drops soon. Very soon.”
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.