12-Aug-2010
Posted by : Dallas Stokes
Category : CounterKicks, Stokes Life
Tags: AND1, AND1 Tochillin, Chris Christmas, Dada, Dallas Stokes, E. Scott Morris, Footwear Design, Footwear Industry, Freelance, KICKS, Peter Moore, Rob Purvy, Robert Greenberg, Ron Wright, SLAM, Stokes Life

Designers often ask me if being freelance is better than being in-house? I’m sure most designers think being able to have your own situation going has got to be better than punching a clock. For some it is amazing and for some they may say it was a bad idea. I personally say I have been happy on both sides of the gate. The whole freelance thing to me is like the pros and cons of living with your parents. Sure they get on your nerves and make you take out the trash, clean your room and cut the grass. However you do get a meal and a roof over your head as a trade off. I guess the same can be said about prison so if you work at a horrible company its the same thing. I have worked for a ton of companies in a freelance capacity and would like to share my insight and advice on this subject. Continue reading Stokes Life With Dallas Stokes: Free At Last!!!
05-Aug-2010
Posted by : Dallas Stokes
Category : CounterKicks, Stokes Life
Tags: Andrew Bynum, Chris Christmas, Dallas Stokes, Dunk.net, Dunk.Net Chromz, Footwear Design, L.A. Lakers, Latrell Sprewell, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Lakers, Patrick Ewing, Reebok, Reebok Shaq, Reebok Shaq Attaq, Reebok Shaqnosis, Rob Purvy, Shaq, Shaquille O'Neal, Stokes Life, Tech Pack

A lot of people always ask what it’s like designing for an athlete? I have designed for a few NBA, NFL, and WNBA stars but one of my favorites of all time beside Stephen Jackson had to be two of the Lakers’ big men: Shaquille O’Neal and Andrew Bynum. In part one of “Shaq vs. Bynum” I will tell you the process of designing for one of the greatest big men in the history of the game. In part two, I will tell you about designing for one of the next generation of championship Lakers big men, Andrew Bynum. Continue reading Stokes Life With Dallas Stokes: Shaq Vs. Bynum Part 1…
17-Feb-2010
Posted by : John Brilliant

And1 is introducing a new footwear line segment and silhouette this spring with the And1 Lo-Qi Downtime. The model is an updated “spin on a pre and post game shoe” which And1 Executive Director Rob Purvy dropped word about last November in our in-depth interview here. The Lo-Qi line aims to pay homage to the original off-court And1 Tochillin which became the best selling footwear model in And1 history. The Lo-Qi Downtime officially drops May 1st and comes initially in Royal/Royal-White, White/White-Red, Black/Silver-White, and Black/Black-Silver colorways. Continue reading for detailed looks of all four colorways of the upcoming And1 Lo-Qi Downtime.
27-Nov-2009
Posted by : John Brilliant

In our interview with Rob Purvy, Executive Director at AND1 Basketball Company, Rob talked about the bring back of the Tai Chi Low next year as part of a three-pronged effort in re-launching the Tai Chi franchise and the AND1 brand as a whole to U.S. markets. Featured as SLAM’s “Kick of the Day“, the Tai Chi lows will hit retail next year for $65 and come with the same performance upgrades as the recent Tai Chi mid with herringbone traction pattern underfoot and a performance mesh interior. Check out our interview with Rob Purvy to find out what’s in store for AND1 heading into 2010 here.
17-Nov-2009
Posted by : John Brilliant
Category : AND1
Tags: adidas, Allen Iverson, Amazon, American Sporting Goods, AND1, AND1 Disciple, AND1 Disciple Mid, AND1 Lo-Qi, AND1 Mixtape Tour, AND1 Player, AND1 Tai Chi, AND1 Tochillin, AND1 Trash Talking T-Shirts, Antoine Walker, Champs Sports, CounterKicks, Dunk.net, Facebook, Finish Line, Foot Action, Foot Locker, Herringbone, Hibbett Sports, Japan, Jeff Penix, Kobe Bryant, Korea, Lo-Qi, Mike Piazza, Monta Ellis, NBA, NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Oscar De La Hoya, Pennsylvania, Project WE, Rebecca Lobo, Reebok, Rob Purvy, Rod Keller, Shaquille O'Neal, Shiekh Shoes, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Trilogy, Thailand, The Prophet, Tim Thomas, Tokyo, Tracy McGrady, Twitter, Vans, Vince Carter, Zappos

Today, Counter Kicks brings you an exclusive interview with Rob Purvy, AND1 Basketball Company Executive Director. Rob talks about the AND1 Tai Chi re-launch, the Tai Chi Trilogy, plans for the Mixtape Tour, future Retro AND1 product offerings, the introduction of the Lo-Qi line, and what’s in store for the future of AND1. Continue reading for an in-depth look behind the scenes at AND1 Basketball Company with footwear industry veteran, Rob Purvy…