Union Announce Release Date for Their First Batch of Nike Cortez Colabs

'We are the O.G. inventors,' a narrator claims at the beginning of Union's just-released campaign video for their upcoming Cortez colab with Nike. 'Most of our inventions are not recorded. We haven't been credited with most of our sh*t.' It's a strong statement, one that acknowledges the strength and vibrance of the Black community in the City of Angels and also nods to how regional trends – like LA's longstanding love of the Cortez – have gone global, often without proper respect paid to their originators. The Union x Nike Cortez, however, is all about paying respect to the City of Angels, and it's just received an official release date.

Two colourways will kick off the co-created silhouette's release slate, namely the warm 'Sesame' and the slightly more chilled-out 'Off-Noir.' Both discard the chunkier construction of more recent Cortez in favour of the original slim heel design from 1972, and are also equipped with poncho-like striped detailing on the upper, custom heel tabs and what appear to be NikeGrind midsoles.

Expect the Union x Nike Cortez 'Sesame' and 'Off-Noir' to release exclusively via Union on June 21. A SNKRS release for both colourways may follow shortly thereafter as well, and more pairs are expected to touch down later this year.

If you want to check out more Cortez colabs, take a look at a full rundown of LA native Kendrick Lamar's sneaker colab history – which includes four takes on the Cortez – by clicking right here.