Reebok & Illumination present Minions: The Rise of Gru Footwear Collection

Today, in partnership with Illumination and global cultural phenomenon, Minions, as well as Universal Brand Development, Reebok officially unveils their Minions: The Rise of Gru collection celebrating the blockbuster franchise’s upcoming theatrical release slated for July 2, 2021. Available from shop4reebok.com and select retailers beginning October 1, the exclusive full-family footwear collection unfolds a real-life creative alliance of epic proportions revealing a master plan years in the making.

To mark this iconic launch, Reebok also created “Inside the Mind,” a short film with Reebok’s senior design manager for pop culture, Chris Hill. Through the short film, Hill (a six-year Reebok veteran known for leading product design for some of the brand’s most coveted collaborations) invites Minions fans and sneaker lovers alike into his home office/basement toy room “somewhere outside Boston” for a detailed first-hand look at the collection’s polarizing footwear designs.

“This year, we wanted to come out of the left-field with it and give you something very different and unexpected for a Minions collab,” remarks Hill in the film’s opening.

Recognized globally as the world’s most successful animated film franchise of all time, Illumination’s iconic Despicable Me continues to capture the imagination of audiences worldwide. Evolving the Minions legacy and Reebok’s historically bold brand narrative, the Minions x Reebok collection injects inspiration directly from the forthcoming film that chronicles the untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.

Minions x Reebok Question Mid “Gru’s Lab”: An imaginative modification of the historic Question Mid inspired by a young Gru for the ‘baddest’ baller of all-time, Allen Iverson, this silver/black execution injects glow-in-the-dark sticky “slime” into the outsole through two intake and outtake tubes to achieve impossible grip on court, while adapted rocket booster graphics underfoot propel any undersized villain to the rim. Using different “metals” from around Gru’s lab to form a mostly unpolished silver upper, while a more-finished glossy chrome leather panel at the heel pops above his signature “G” logo stamped in place of the traditional Iverson “3”. Looking inside, wearers will find asymmetric double-sided ‘trap door’ sock liners, a first-of-its-kind sneaker innovation -that each hides top-secret elements from Gru’s lab on the underside.

Minions x Reebok Instapump Fury “Vicious 6”: In order to become the world’s greatest supervillain, Gru must first defeat the Vicious 6, the world’s most notorious collective of villains. Taking inspiration from the infamous group, this asymmetric fashion-forward take on Reebok’s historic ‘laceless’ Instapump Fury is one of the model’s boldest executions to date. Mixing a plethora of contrasting prints, colors, materials, and textures, the silhouette goes big like the villains themselves. The left shoe houses gold and yellow color blocking, materials and graphics from Belle Bottom’s (voiced by Taraji P. Henson) go-to wardrobe, rugged nods to Stronghold’s (Danny Trejo) tank, and a custom-molded heel TPU with faux stingray material inspired by Jean Claw’s (Jean-Claude Van Damme) robotic crab arm, while the right shoe features a padded collar lining with racing stripes and spikes inspired by Svengeance’s (Dolph Lundgren) over-the-top roller derby uniform, a teal and gold filigree with a stained glass pump ball replicating Nun Chuck’s (Lucy Lawless) holy chariot, and a zebra-striped pony hair and gator embossed toe nodding White Knuckle’s (Alan Arkin) throne, trophies, and weapons. Available in adult and toddler sizing.

Minions x Reebok Club C “Vicious 6”: Nodding to the film’s 70’s vibes and the specific textures and retro colors dressing of the Vicious 6 villains’ lounge, this understated Club C features corduroy, premium leather, and nubuck panels on the upper, a velvet interior lining, shag rug sock liner, and soft cotton laces all brought together by the Vicious 6 logo on the tongue. Available in adult sizing.

Minions x Reebok Instapump Fury “Minions”: An homage to the Minions’ iconic yellow and blue color palette, this vibrant yet wearable take on the Instapump Fury is imagined through the eye(s) of the Minions themselves, creating an asymmetric pair with bold nods to the film including a Minions party insole, Minion eyes on either Pump button, a banana peel graphic on the left outsole and reflective hits throughout. Available in adult and toddler sizing.

Minions x Reebok Club C “Otto”: This subtle yet bright kids-only take on the classic Club C celebrates the franchise’s newest Minion, “Otto.” The silhouette, a second creation inspired by the Minions horde, is filled with yellow paint, Minions party insoles, pops of lime green, and a splash of mud on either outsole – the meaning behind which will be revealed in the forthcoming film. Available in grade school, pre-school and toddler sizing.

Finally, Gru’s lab is replicated in real life by elevated sneaker packaging that houses each of these Reebok creations. Displayed on the box are hand-illustrated orthographic views of Gru’s childhood bedroom and top-secret lair riddled with Easter eggs from the forthcoming film and additional details that Minions, Iverson, and Reebok fans will all enjoy.

The Reebok x Minions collection is available beginning 1st October at select Reebok stores and online at shop4reebok.com, TataCliq, Veg Nonveg, and Superkicks India starting Rs 3,999.