Nike, along with Concepts and National Basketball Association (NBA) player Kyrie Irving, has come up with its latest sneaker Kyrie 5 'Ikhet', the design of which is based on the Great Pyramid of Giza.
According to slamonline.com, Concepts' Creative Director, Deon Point, explained the fascinating design inspired by ancient Egypt.
“I found out the mortar used remains a mystery to scientists — they still can’t figure how it stuck together, but it’s some of the strongest stuff ever made. I learned that the limestone glowing in the sun made the pyramids glow brighter than a diamond," he said.
"And one thing that really got me: there was a 20-ton door on one of the pyramids that was so precise, you can’t squeeze a credit card through the seams — but it can be opened with one hand,” he added.
An eye for detail
The Kyrie 5 'Ikhet' showcases a pale beige sand-coloured body with a contrasting purple outsole and midsole, symbolising the sunset against the Egyptian pyramids. The bright red tongue pays homage to the mythological sphinx of Egypt, which is believed to have had a dark red-painted nose before it had weathered.
The Nike swoosh is also inspired by ancient Egyptian architecture and is embellished with intricate pyramid-like patterns. The heel of the left sneaker features the Eye of Ra, an Egyptian symbol that stands for protection. It represents the female counterpart of the Egyptian sun god, believed to be a force that uses violence to subdue and control enemies.
The 'Ikhet'?
Based on research, experts have concluded that the Great Pyramid of Giza, thousands of years ago, shimmered like glass. The Great Pyramid was even called ‘Ikhet’ which translated means ‘Glorious Light.’
The pyramid was covered with highly polished limestone casing stones which shone so bright that it was visible from the moon. After a 19th-century earthquake, most of the casing stones loosened and eventually went missing.
The Great Pyramid: An enigma
The Great Pyramid of Giza was called the first wonder of the world by ancient Greeks. The engineering marvel is still being studied for its many hidden mysteries. The geographical coordinates of the pyramid are exactly equal to the speed of light in vacuum. And that is just a start.
Although the pyramids in Egypt were built as tombs, no mummy has been found till date in the Great Pyramid. When the Arabs conquered Egypt in 642 AD, they entered the Great Pyramid and found only a huge empty granite box, known today as the King's chamber.
The Great Pyramid is also the only one with both ascending and descending passages. All other pyramids have only descending passages. The King's and Queen's chambers in the Great Pyramid also have been found to have air shafts, the reason for which still largely remains a mystery.
The Nike Kyrie 5 'Ikhet' is expected to drop on December 26th, priced at USD 130 (Rs 9,200 approx.).