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There’s no denying the influence and impact that Washington, DC and the surrounding DMV area have on sneaker culture.
From Wale and Foamposites; B-More saving the Air Force 1; and the area repping New Balance for decades, DC and the DMV are at the heart & soul of the culture.
Known for its influential style and trendsetting energy, the region’s sneaker scene is as rich and dynamic as its cultural fabric. The Museum DC, an integral member of the area, is now channeling that very spirit into its collaboration with Under Armour‘s Apparition: the “Give ‘Em Their Flowers” collection.
The collection is a heartfelt tribute to the community that has been the foundation of The Museum’s journey. By honoring the rich floral heritage of DC, the collaboration celebrates the city’s beauty and resilience.
Each Apparition in the collection draws inspiration from iconic local landmarks like the Okame Cherry Tree, the Cherry Blossoms Festival, and the United States Botanic Garden, nodding the historical and cultural significance of the area.
With this collection, The Museum and Under Armour acknowledge the profound responsibility that comes with representing such a storied community. This release is not just a celebration of local heritage but a call to recognize and appreciate the DMV’s role in shaping sneaker culture. Through meticulous design and meaningful storytelling, “Give ‘Em Their Flowers” offers both a stylish tribute and a reminder of the deep-rooted connections that make the DMV’s sneaker scene truly exceptional.
We spoke with Nyrik Lee Sr., the creative director for The Museum DC about the collection.
Read the interview ahead of the “Give ‘Em Their Flowers” collection release on August 25, 2024, at The Museum’s Sycamore & Oak location in the heart of Southeast Washington, DC.
Nice Kicks: How important is The Museum to the DMV, specifically DC, and how does this collection highlight that?
Nyrik Lee Sr.: We as a brand understand our place in DC (DMV) culture. We know we have a spotlight on us, so we always feel we have to show up and show out for where are from when we get opportunities like this. This collection is an ode to our community and support system. It’s our way of giving people their flowers while they can smell them.
At the heart of the “Give ‘Em Their Flowers” campaign is a deep appreciation for the community that has supported The Museum DC brand. This collection is a way to honor and celebrate the people who have been the backbone of our journey. Each pair of sneakers is a testament to the strength, beauty, and unity of the DMV community.
With this collaboration, we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the floral heritage of our city and the incredible community that makes it thrive. Together, let’s “give ’em their flowers” and continue to bloom and grow.
NK: In that same vein, how important are DC and the DMV to sneaker culture at large? Is there a sense of responsibility that comes with being a retailer with a collab with that kind of real estate?
Nyrik Lee Sr.: The DMV is a IYKYK (if you know you know) type of town in terms of sneaker culture. The who’s who of sneakers has always spoken to the DMV style for years highlighting our fashion-forward energy. We don’t boast about it, but it’s time we come and get our flowers.
It’s absolutely a responsibility as a retailer to highlight what we do style-wise and storytelling-wise. Because we as a community have been letting our work speak for itself for so long. Now, we have key pieces in place to be able to highlight and voice who we are as a community and put on for the area in general.
NK: What about the Under Armour Apparition made the shoe the perfect canvas for the “Give ‘Em Their Flowers” story?
Nyrik Lee Sr.: The Under Armour Apparition is the perfect day-to-day multipurpose sneaker. You can take a morning run to the gym, hit the local coffee spot, go home shower, and then put it back on to hit the streets in style. For us when we saw this model it was a no-brainer. This style of sneaker has been a DMV staple, so it was the perfect silhouette to give an ode to where we are from for being fashion forward hence giving the community their flowers.
First Colorway: Okame Cherry Tree
The first sneaker in the collection draws its inspiration from the Okame Cherry Tree. The Okame Cherry Tree is renowned for its strikingly beautiful pink blossoms that emerge early in the spring, heralding the season of renewal. With delicate petals and a vibrant hue, the Okame Cherry Tree is a symbol of hope and new beginnings. The sneaker captures this essence with a soft pink palette, subtle floral patterns, and intricate detailing that mirrors the tree’s natural elegance.
Second Colorway: Cherry Blossoms Festival
The second colorway celebrates the world-famous Cherry Blossoms Festival that transforms Washington, DC into a picturesque wonderland each year. This festival, held in honor of the gift of cherry trees from Japan in 1912, signifies friendship, beauty, and the ephemeral nature of life. The sneakers feature a design that embodies the ethereal beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom, with shades of pink and white, and accents that reflect the festive atmosphere of this beloved event. This colorway is a reflection of friendship, family & the core values that embody community collaboration.
Third Colorway: Botanical Garden
The third and final sneaker in the collection is inspired by the floral arrangements at The United States Botanic Garden in DC. The Botanic Garden is a living plant museum that showcases a diverse array of plants from around the world, offering a serene and educational experience for visitors. The sneaker design incorporates a mix of lush greens and vibrant floral motifs, capturing the garden’s essence and the rich diversity of its plant life. This colorway symbolizes growth, harmony, and the beauty of nature.
NK: What makes this collection stand out from other drops The Museum has done with UA?
Nyrik Lee Sr.: We have been able to do some great things with UA. This collection in terms of storytelling has been a level up from our previous drops. Us being able to give a nod to our support system by honoring DC staple florals like the Botanical Garden, which we all visited as kids growing up, or the cherry blossoms which people travel all over to come and see, or highlighting the Okame cherry tree which a lot of natives have seen but don’t know its origin story. This drop is very specific and special for our community.
This model is super on trend for today, style-wise, so we feel we have been tasked with introducing this on a large scale. Being able to take a model like this and tell specific stories from the perspective of a creative from DC (DMV) while honoring our community by giving them flowers has been a joy, to say the least.
NK: What’s it been like partnering with UA through the years?
Nyrik Lee Sr.: UA has been a fantastic partnership for us. They have allowed us to push the envelope creatively and also tell our story on a national level. It’s been deeper than just coloring canvases. They let us make our mark on models from all ends of the spectrum. From having PE models of Steph Currys to now with this Apparition launch, it’s been creatively a fun ride and we are excited to see this relationship blossom.
NK: What’s the legacy you/The Museum team want to leave behind? How does this collaboration tie into that vision?
Nyrik Lee Sr.: The legacy we always envisioned as a brand has been to create more opportunities for those who come behind us. We want to do things on such a high level to be able to open doors and usher the next group of creatives in any arena into the forefront.
We have a nonprofit arm of what we do called Our Future Moguls in which we groom future leaders of tomorrow to fulfill their dreams and become the best of the best. This collaboration sets the tone for all of those looking to us to set the bar high see that we all are still learning and growing in this space, and at the same time know that they can do it too.
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