Erik Hernandez
Rendering of the Dame D.O.L.L.A. in olive knit with black laces, red eyelets, a black heel cage and a white sawtooth Bounce midsole.
Upper shell pattern in white line on black, two halves side by side with the three stripes as long white bars.
The night cargo Dame D.O.L.L.A. from the side, olive knit with a black heel, red pull tab and white midsole.
The night cargo colorway from the medial side.
Top view of the night cargo shoe, with a red D logo on the insole.
The night cargo shoe head-on, with the red D logo pull tab above black laces.
The night cargo heel, with D.O.L.L.A. printed in red down the heel and red at the base of the outsole.
The core black Dame D.O.L.L.A. from the side, in black and grey camo knit with white lace tips and a white midsole.
The core black shoe, three-quarter view from the toe.
The core black shoe, three-quarter view from the heel.
The core black colorway from the medial side.
Top view of the core black shoe, with a white D logo on the insole.
Close-up of the black knit forefoot with tonal grey stripes and Bounce molded into the white midsole.

Brief

Design an off-court shoe for Damian Lillard named for Dame D.O.L.L.A., his rap moniker, to sit alongside his signature basketball line. It needed the ease of a lifestyle sneaker while keeping a clear link to the court.

Process

Concepts explored the upper on a single sole across three areas. Silhouette studies ranged from high-cut sock collars to a low knit upper. Lacing structures and alternative closures tested wrapped and crossing laces against zip, strap, toggle, and drawcord closures. Paneling stayed subdued, limited to details like perforated heel panels. The selected concept carries four prominent, straight eyerows, a nod to Lillard’s 4 Bar Friday, the weekly rap challenge he shared on social media.