Contemporary artist Tom Sachs and NikeCraft have released the I.S.R.U. Red Bead, a handmade porcelain shoelace accessory for the Bricolage General Purpose Shoes. Priced at $19.99 USD and available exclusively via the NikeCraft webstore, the bead—first integrated into the sneakers for direct purchases—is the inaugural item in a planned series of ceramic accessories.
Following the April 8 launch of the Nike x Tom Sachs Bricolage General Purpose Shoes (with beads added to pairs bought directly from NikeCraft starting April 14), Sachs and NikeCraft have detailed the I.S.R.U. Red Bead. This cylindrical sculpture, made from high-fire English porcelain and stained with cadmium red, weighs 5 grams and measures 1 inch tall by 0.5 inches in diameter. Each unique piece bears the artist's fingerprints from his New York City studio, embodying bricolage principles. It ties into the educational I.S.R.U. app, promoting activities amid the sneakers' high demand. Sachs noted the bead's versatility in scale, aligning with his practice from small objects to large installations. Sachs expressed interest in user customization: “Now I’m really interested to see how people will use beads in their own way.”