PROTÉGÉ Info Post

KeonClark7 · 07-25-2009, 05:59 PM

Protege is “reach out” brand (stands for People Reaching Out To Everyone Gaining Everything) that sells extremely competitvely priced basketball gear and basketball shoes at $34.99 exclusively at Kmart. Look out for running and training coming soon, as well. The brand is supported, past and present, by the NBA’s Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Ron Artest, Yakhouba Diawara, the WNBA’s Cappie Pondexter, and rapper Fat Joe. Protege’s designer is Dallas Stokes, who has previous experience with And 1, adidas, Converse, Dunk.net, Magic 32, P.Miller, 310 Motoring and Sketchers.

Since their debut, the shoes are considered great value considering the price. The only major criticism has been subpar cushioning compared to the more expensive shoes out there, but Dallas and the guys at Protege are listening and have already taken steps to satisfy consumers. They've already added better sockiners with dual density pods at the forefoot/heel and also plan to incorporate cushioning elements, such as air-bags and other technologies, in future product. They are definately headed in the right direction! For more info, check out the links and pics.

LINKS

Official Website: ProtegeMVP.com

Protege MVP Channel on YouTube

Protege on MySpace

Protege Shoes at Kmart.com

ARTICLES

Dime Magazine's Interview with Al Harrington (March '08)

CNBC Press Release: Protege Footwear & Apparel Brand Debuts (Feb '09)

Samaritan's Feet: Protege and Kmart donate 1 million pairs of shoes (Feb '09)

SoleCollector's Interview with Designer, Dallas Stokes (May '09)

KeonClark7 · 07-27-2009, 12:02 AM

A3H

Pics of the A3H, Al Harrington's signature shoe worn during part of the 2008-2009 NBA season, including some exclusive colorways not released. Also worn by Ron Artest in the Black/Red colorway.

KeonClark7 · 07-27-2009, 12:17 AM

JACK 1

Worn by Stephen Jackson and Cappie Pondexter (WNBA).

KeonClark7 · 07-27-2009, 12:20 AM

A3H SUPREME (KC7)

Only two pairs in existence!

KeonClark7 · 07-27-2009, 12:32 AM

HUSTLE

Worn by Al Harrington, Ron Artest, and Yakhouba Diawara during the 2008-2009 season.

KeonClark7 · 07-27-2009, 12:44 AM

OTHERS!

Protege "Edge" samples, some Pondexter USA and All Star PE's, training samples, and Trifecta's(worn by Harrington at the end of the 08-09 season).

l2eal_Deal · 07-27-2009, 08:17 AM

Good post... I didn't know that Ron Artest was with them, i thought he was still with K1X. Should be interesting to see some of there new stuff now that they have finished there first year and have gotten there first shoes out.

Steez · 07-27-2009, 09:11 AM

Stokes and company look like they're doing a great job so far, especially with the price point. There's sneaks in there that would be at least $80-100+ range under a different brand logo. Dope stuff. Look forward to seeing how Protege does over the next year and beyond...

sindrip · 07-27-2009, 04:54 PM

Ron left K1X a while ago for chinese knock-off brand PEAK, I didn't know he had signed with Protege though.

KeonClark7 · 07-27-2009, 05:30 PM

Artest only wore Protege during his time between k1x and Peak.

l2eal_Deal · 08-03-2009, 06:29 PM

Fat Joe with Protege... hmmm
They're calling it the blackout.

Steez · 08-04-2009, 10:33 AM

^Yeah, saw those leaked yesterday.

We need Dallas to drop in here and chat his line up..

doopyx · 08-07-2009, 05:06 AM

I'm sorry, why I see Protege Shoes, they look like And 1 shoes in the year 2001.....maybe the designer have been And 1 designer..but I think he better create a new style..this is not a critic, shoes look good, but it seem like a dejavu shoe..but Good job!

Dallas Stokes · 08-09-2009, 03:32 PM

Sorry droopyx but I actually was one of the designers back in 2001!!! lol

freeman · 08-10-2009, 04:05 AM

Excellent post! this is really informative and really enjoyable! Keep up, man!

KeonClark7 · 08-16-2009, 03:43 PM

Heads up!

Protege's new "EDGE" Line available exclusively at Sears.

Below is the Edge Coopz and Edge L.S.

Great to see the designer himself make an appearance! Dallas, does the product at Sears include Sears Canada??

Also.. here's a sneak peak at the Stackjack 2. You can see the air unit in the heel:

dziner82 · 08-26-2009, 09:54 AM

props to protoge, i like what they are doing, hopefully it works out better than starbury, sears is probably a little more stable than steve & barrys though so hopefully that helps.

also great to hear that the cushioning feedback was taken to heart and they are improving the shoes.

I remember back in the day when i was in jr high and the spalding olajuwon's came out, i thought they were pretty cool.. never had a pair, but i think i also liked that they released them in the rockets colors... which would have looked great with my rockets starter coat

KeonClark7 · 09-02-2009, 11:31 AM

Some new models from KICKS Magazine

Final version of Jack and Al's next shoes:

Sweet future model, originally posted in this interview with Dallas. http://thesteezstylist.blogspot.com/...of-dallas.html

Cheesecake · 09-17-2009, 03:08 PM

Keon-

Dem joints got my head wrecked! Ooh! Colorway is phenomenal.

Mr. Stokes - I know you're watching; please, please make those happen. With or sans the KC7, I don't care. . .

Also, will The Hustle be releasing with the suede toecap/middle? I'm not particularly moved by that Artest pair and have been holding out and hoping Diawara's pair hits shelves.

More from Protege:

KeonClark7 · 01-22-2010, 05:24 PM

It looks like Harrington and Jackson are sticking with Nike and Jordan Brand for good. But, on another note, Protege's first shoe with a heel Air unit is out now - Protege Edge The Bridge:

07-25-2009, 05:59 PM	#1
KeonClark7 PROJECT MODERATOR Posts: 17 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto	PROTÉGÉ Info Post Protege is “reach out” brand (stands for People Reaching Out To Everyone Gaining Everything) that sells extremely competitvely priced basketball gear and basketball shoes at $34.99 exclusively at Kmart. Look out for running and training coming soon, as well. The brand is supported, past and present, by the NBA’s Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Ron Artest, Yakhouba Diawara, the WNBA’s Cappie Pondexter, and rapper Fat Joe. Protege’s designer is Dallas Stokes, who has previous experience with And 1, adidas, Converse, Dunk.net, Magic 32, P.Miller, 310 Motoring and Sketchers. Since their debut, the shoes are considered great value considering the price. The only major criticism has been subpar cushioning compared to the more expensive shoes out there, but Dallas and the guys at Protege are listening and have already taken steps to satisfy consumers. They've already added better sockiners with dual density pods at the forefoot/heel and also plan to incorporate cushioning elements, such as air-bags and other technologies, in future product. They are definately headed in the right direction! For more info, check out the links and pics. LINKS Official Website: ProtegeMVP.com Protege MVP Channel on YouTube Protege on MySpace Protege Shoes at Kmart.com ARTICLES Dime Magazine's Interview with Al Harrington (March '08) CNBC Press Release: Protege Footwear & Apparel Brand Debuts (Feb '09) Samaritan's Feet: Protege and Kmart donate 1 million pairs of shoes (Feb '09) SoleCollector's Interview with Designer, Dallas Stokes (May '09) Last edited by KeonClark7; 07-27-2009 at 12:07 PM..

07-27-2009, 09:11 AM	#8
Steez PROJECT DIRECTOR Posts: 302 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everywhere	Stokes and company look like they're doing a great job so far, especially with the price point. There's sneaks in there that would be at least $80-100+ range under a different brand logo. Dope stuff. Look forward to seeing how Protege does over the next year and beyond... __________________ http://projectbluefoot.com / john.brilliant@projectbluefoot.com http://counterkicks.com / john.brilliant@counterkicks.com Founder / Project Director / Editor in Chief @projectbluefoot / @counterkicks -

08-04-2009, 10:33 AM	#12
Steez PROJECT DIRECTOR Posts: 302 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everywhere	^Yeah, saw those leaked yesterday. We need Dallas to drop in here and chat his line up.. __________________ http://projectbluefoot.com / john.brilliant@projectbluefoot.com http://counterkicks.com / john.brilliant@counterkicks.com Founder / Project Director / Editor in Chief @projectbluefoot / @counterkicks -

08-07-2009, 05:06 AM	#13
doopyx Field Agent Posts: 165 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Carrieres-Sous-Poissy, France	I'm sorry, why I see Protege Shoes, they look like And 1 shoes in the year 2001.....maybe the designer have been And 1 designer..but I think he better create a new style..this is not a critic, shoes look good, but it seem like a dejavu shoe..but Good job! __________________ Joseph Dumary

08-10-2009, 04:05 AM	#15
freeman Covert Agent Posts: 7 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Philippines	Excellent post! this is really informative and really enjoyable! Keep up, man! __________________ Francis dela Cruz

07-27-2009, 08:17 AM	#7
l2eal_Deal Covert Agent Posts: 41 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Boston	Good post... I didn't know that Ron Artest was with them, i thought he was still with K1X. Should be interesting to see some of there new stuff now that they have finished there first year and have gotten there first shoes out.

07-27-2009, 04:54 PM	#9
sindrip Covert Agent Posts: 8 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Munich / Reykjavik	Ron left K1X a while ago for chinese knock-off brand PEAK, I didn't know he had signed with Protege though.

07-27-2009, 05:30 PM	#10
KeonClark7 PROJECT MODERATOR Posts: 17 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto	Artest only wore Protege during his time between k1x and Peak.

08-09-2009, 03:32 PM	#14
Dallas Stokes Deadstock Posts: 1 Join Date: Aug 2009	Sorry droopyx but I actually was one of the designers back in 2001!!! lol

08-16-2009, 03:43 PM	#16
KeonClark7 PROJECT MODERATOR Posts: 17 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto	Heads up! Protege's new "EDGE" Line available exclusively at Sears. Below is the Edge Coopz and Edge L.S. Great to see the designer himself make an appearance! Dallas, does the product at Sears include Sears Canada?? Also.. here's a sneak peak at the Stackjack 2. You can see the air unit in the heel: Last edited by KeonClark7; 08-23-2009 at 02:07 AM..

08-26-2009, 09:54 AM	#17
dziner82 Deadstock Posts: 1 Join Date: Aug 2009	props to protoge, i like what they are doing, hopefully it works out better than starbury, sears is probably a little more stable than steve & barrys though so hopefully that helps. also great to hear that the cushioning feedback was taken to heart and they are improving the shoes. I remember back in the day when i was in jr high and the spalding olajuwon's came out, i thought they were pretty cool.. never had a pair, but i think i also liked that they released them in the rockets colors... which would have looked great with my rockets starter coat

09-02-2009, 11:31 AM	#18
KeonClark7 PROJECT MODERATOR Posts: 17 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto	Some new models from KICKS Magazine Final version of Jack and Al's next shoes: Sweet future model, originally posted in this interview with Dallas. http://thesteezstylist.blogspot.com/...of-dallas.html Last edited by KeonClark7; 09-05-2009 at 12:01 AM..

09-17-2009, 03:08 PM	#19
Cheesecake Covert Agent Posts: 26 Join Date: Jun 2009	Keon- Dem joints got my head wrecked! Ooh! Colorway is phenomenal. Mr. Stokes - I know you're watching; please, please make those happen. With or sans the KC7, I don't care. . . Also, will The Hustle be releasing with the suede toecap/middle? I'm not particularly moved by that Artest pair and have been holding out and hoping Diawara's pair hits shelves. More from Protege:

01-22-2010, 05:24 PM	#20
KeonClark7 PROJECT MODERATOR Posts: 17 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto	It looks like Harrington and Jackson are sticking with Nike and Jordan Brand for good. But, on another note, Protege's first shoe with a heel Air unit is out now - Protege Edge The Bridge:

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