It seems Artestar — the agency that manages the licensing of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, among others — has been busy, allowing various brands to bring the late artist’s works to life through their products. In 2021 alone, we’ve covered Converse x Haring and Converse x Basquiat, Dr. Martens x Haring and Dr. Martens x Basquiat, and Levi’s x Haring. Adding to the list is a new Keith Haring collection by Reebok.
For reference, Keith Haring emerged from the 1980s NYC graffiti scene. His works were a reflection of his own gay identity, many pieces advocating for safe sex and AIDS awareness. He produced more than 50 public artworks between 1982 and 1989, many created voluntarily for hospitals, day care centers, and schools. Haring died on February 16, 1990, of AIDS-related complications.
Reebok’s aspirations with this collection is to “make Haring’s art, design, and mission even more accessible for consumers,” following Haring’s own mantra “The public has a right to art.” This collection of footwear spans five silhouettes: the Classic Leather, Classic Leather Legacy AZ, Club C, Club C Legacy, and GL 6000.
Reebok’s Keith Haring collection launches on October 22nd on Reebok.com. Learn more about each of the five styles in the collection below.
Keith Haring x Reebok Classic Leather
Color: Pure Grey 8/Chalk/Pure Grey 8
Style Code: GZ1456
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Price: $90 USD
Featuring one of Haring’s most recognizable themes—a dog motif—the Classic Leather sports a black colorway and pays homage to his subway chalk drawings. The drawings came to life when he began using the city’s empty black spaces, which were originally meant for ads, as a new canvas.
Keith Haring x Reebok CL Legacy AZ
Color: Ftwr White/Pure Grey 3/Vector Blue
Style Code: GZ1457
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Price: $90 USD
This model features a direct nod to Haring’s dancing figures—a theme that represents community and is meant to evoke joy, energy, and friendship. The shoe also pulls inspiration from his use of bold primary and secondary colors.
Keith Haring x Reebok Club C
Color: Chalk/Pure Grey 8/Chalk
Style Code: GZ1458
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Price: $80 USD
This reimagined Club C is inspired by Haring’s 292 Lafayette Street “Pop Shop,” featuring the same all-over print that his walls were covered in.
Keith Haring x Reebok Club C Legacy
Color: Instinct Red/Chalk/Instinct Red
Style Code: GZ1459
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Price: $100 USD
The Club C Legacy references Haring’s iconic three-eyed smiling face, which was created after he accidentally added too much space between two eyes. Crowds began to speculate that the additional eye was a spiritual notion; Haring simply went with it.
Keith Haring x Reebok GL 6000
Color: Chalk/Pure Grey 8/Chalk
Style Code: GZ1560
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Price: $100 USD
This shoe is inspired by a piece found in the Keith Haring Foundation Archive. The dog form and human form each mimic each other to create a metaphorical contrast between what it means to be human (i.e players in society) and what dogs (i.e those in positions of power or authority) stand for.
