Mizuno’s Sportstyle division welcomes the long-awaited Gore-tex version of their iconic Wave Propjecy L/S, an upgrade of theflagship silhouette that pushes the lines between performance and urban design. To introduce this model to the world, Mizuno turned to their European friends at One Block Down, who brought their distinctive visual style to create an editorial that captures the sneaker in its true form.
One Block Down chose adrenaline as a theme, for this campaign. The Italian store took the Wave Prophecy LS GTX to the tracks and turned the shoe’s technical energy into visuals with velocity, tension and control. The results is a campaign full of action and motion.
Mizuno and One Block Down Shared DNA, Different Languages
It is no coincidence that Mizuno and One Block Down met for this project, the two have a long history together. Born in Osaka, Japan in 1906, Mizuno began as the product of two brothers fascination with Western sports and its growing influence in Japan. Over the following century, Mizuno evolved as one of the most respected brands in the athletic world. They are known for their boundary breaking design across track and fields, football, tennis, golf and more. Due to their technical precision and forward-thinking design the brand became what it is today, but Mizuno is more than just a sport brand. The brand is also all about culture and lifestyle.
Meanwhile, One Block Down, the store based in Milan, was founded in 2009 by Patrizio Vita, and has become one of Europe’s most defining cultural hubs for streetwear, footwear and fashion. What began as a small boutique in the heart of Italy’s capital, is now a major platform for collaboration, curation and storytelling. OBD represents a version of street culture that feels very European. Together both companies found common ground in the Mizuno Wave Prophecy LS GTX.
The Gore-Tex Evolution
For those not familiar with the Wave Prophecy line, the LS GTX is an upgrade to the Wave Prophecy 8, but at its core the silhouette still maintains the spirit of Yoshitaka Takahashi’s original Wave Prophecy 8, it is a sneaker that blends futuristic aspects with athletic performance style. The Gore-Tex version is somewhat different tho, it is more redefined. The upper is crafted from micro-ripstop for a more durable touch, a Gore-Tex membrane is added for full weather protection through the rain, and that’s what is needed this season. And the sole? That is upgraded to the Wave Prophecy X sole, replacing the familiar Infinity Wave sole that is usually seen.
Capturing the Adrenaline
One Block Down killed it again. Their editorial isn’t just about posing or product placement, it is all about atmosphere and storytelling. They know you have to live in a product to sell it. Set against a backdrop of concrete, track lines and industrial shadow, the imagery reflects adrenaline, a theme envisioned by both companies. That moment between full-blown chaos and control, between standing still and grinding on the circuit. It is all about motion, exactly what you’re expected to do in the Gore-Tex Mizuno Wave Prophecy LS GTX. One Block Down knows what they’re doing, as the company is known for being honest: real places, real people, real stories, all elements of their storytelling language.
