Words by Axel Metz
Drake’s new “Cardinal Stock” collaboration with Nike doesn’t make any sense – but we’re here for it.
When you think of colourful characters, Drake probably doesn’t come to mind. Sure, he’s written the odd summer banger or two, but he’s always been quite, well, monotone – at least when it comes to style. It was no surprise, then, when his latest collaboration with Nike – the NOCTA collection – debuted with less vibrance and more monochrome. Admittedly, there were some yellow pieces in there, but otherwise it was a black-on-black affair – streetwear for the streets, as it were.
Now, though, Drake and Nike are back to shake up the NOCTA line with the “Cardinal Stock” collection – and no, we don’t know what that name means, either.
Amazingly, there’s now some blue, white and grey pieces joining the all-black NOCTA wardrobe, including tees and hoodies that shake up the brand’s colourway without losing its ‘nocturnal’ essence (at least, that’s what we think NOCTA means). There’s nothing here that’ll have the likes of Kenzo and Gucci quaking in their boots – given that the collection shares its name with a red bird, things are still pretty dark – but some 3M details and still-unexplained logo motifs (“C.L.” and “A.W.R.” among them) switch things up from the black bombers and tracksuits we were treated to back in December.
Again, we’re not really sure what “Cardinal Stock” could mean, but with the entire NOCTA line inspired by Drake’s “nocturnal creative process”, maybe he’s inspired by the confident energy of the bird? Who knows.
In any case, you can bet pieces from the artist’s latest collection will fly off the virtual shelves just as quickly as they arrive. Midnight blue hoodies with a white Nike swoosh? That’s got 2021 written all over it.
Mark your calendars, people, NOCTA’s “Cardinal Stock” collection launches at Nike stores and stockists on May 20.
Check out our picks for the trainers to wear this summer.