When American shoe designers Adam and Ryan Goldston were mulling over where to launch their Dh74,000-a-pair Nile crocodile-skin trainers, which are embellished with 24-carat gold, the UAE seemed like an obvious choice.
“I think the sneakers have global, and ... regional appeal,” says Adam, who cofounded the Athletic Propulsion Labs brand with his twin brother. “It takes a special type of person to want the shoes – number one, because of the price point, and two, because of the exotic nature of the skin. The sneakers are very different, unique and make a definite statement.”
As fashion statements go, it is a costly one. The trainers, which are exclusively available at Level Shoes in The Dubai Mall, are the world's most expensive, according to Forbes magazine. The kicks – which took more than two years to create – were recently showcased at the popular recreational-footwear and urban-culture festival, Sole DxB.
“I believe we’ve made the most expensive sneakers in the world,” says Adam proudly. “The shoes are made to order and there’s a wait period of about 12 weeks for them. It’s been a great opportunity for us to show what can be done with a luxury material. The skin is extremely strong and durable. I’m sure whomever buys the shoes will take very good care of them.”
For the Goldston brothers, trainers aren’t just a passion – Adam owns more than 140 pairs – they are a very serious business.
The 23-year-old identical twins, former collegiate athletes who played basketball and football at the University of Southern California founded their company in 2009.
A year later, their patented Load N’Launch technology was integrated into their debut trainer – the Concept 1 basketball shoe. The springlike forefoot of the sole proved so effective in propelling athletes higher in the air that it became the first shoe banned by the National Basketball Association. Never in the NBA’s 64-year history had a sneaker been forbidden on the grounds that it gave “an undue competitive advantage”.
In the years that followed, the APL brand made leaps of its own, with the brothers honoured for their entrepreneurship at the White House, and inducted into the elite club of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Most recently, their high-performance footwear was worn by drivers from Renault’s Formula One team at this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“We’re a brand at the intersection of where performance and fashion meet,” says Adam. “In the past two years we’ve really been able to create this category of high-end athletics and have our products stocked in some of the best retailers in the world, from Harvey Nichols and Harrods to Level Shoes.
“We’re always looking for different ways to keep pushing forward and be innovative, whether that’s in making shoes that make you jump higher or run faster, or designing luxury shoes. In some cases it takes us a while, but it’s definitely worth all the time and effort.”
APL, whose running shoes have been included on Oprah Winfrey’s Favourite Things, is riding the crest of a “sneaker revolution” as part of which traditional sports shoes have morphed into essential, evergreen seasonal accessories.
It is not uncommon these days for celebs to wear sharp suits and trainers on the red carpet, and the world’s most-photographed women merrily team their trainers with designer totes.
“I think it’s not so much a trend, but a cultural shift, to see trainers worn in more settings,” says Adam. “And I absolutely believe that this is set to continue because people are simply comfortable in their trainers – which is really great for us because our product is extremely stylish and very transitional in the way it can be worn.”
The best way to test the versatility and practicality of APL’s shoes is for the Goldston brothers to hit the gym or pound the pavement in them first. But when it comes to road-testing the range there is always a risk that Adam will be tempted to add to his ever-expanding personal collection.
“If I could only save one pair of shoes, honestly, it would probably be the crocodile-skin ones we’ve just created,” he says. “I don’t actually have a pair myself yet, and they’re so beautiful to look at. I guess I’ll just have to get my brother to make me some.”
• APL’s grade 1 Nile crocodile trainers with hand-painted 24k gold are available exclusively at Level Shoes in The Dubai Mall. Visit www.levelshoes.com for more details. For the full Athletic Propulsion Lab range, visit www.athleticpropulsionlabs.com
rduane@thenational.ae
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Price, base / as tested: Dh76,900 / Dh110,900
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: Torque: 352Nm @ 2,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.5L / 100km
The%20specs
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Sukuk
An Islamic bond structured in a way to generate returns without violating Sharia strictures on prohibition of interest.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company%20Profile
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Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.9-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E620hp%20from%205%2C750-7%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E760Nm%20from%203%2C000-5%2C750rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.05%20million%20(%24286%2C000)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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RACECARD%20
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UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai
More on Quran memorisation:
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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