INTO THE DESERT 2024 - PIONEER KNIGHT
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PandaPrank 25SS Trailblazer
Lop Nur, in the eastern Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, China, is a vast land steeped in mystery and legend. Dubbed the “Sea of Death,” its extreme conditions and rich history continue to lure off-road adventurers in search of challenge. Traversing Lop Nur is not only a conversation with history and a gesture of respect to nature—it’s a journey of honor for the truly bold. In the desert, all is wind and sand. Time leaves its heaviest marks before vanishing, and the footprints of those who pass are quietly swallowed by the dunes. As explorer Wilfred Thesiger wrote in Arabian Sands: “The appeal of the desert lies in its uncompromising nature. You must face it with complete humility and complete courage.” When the tires of an off-road vehicle first press into the soft dunes, the universe of sand begins to flow with a howl. In that moment, PandaPrank finds a primal resonance with nature, launching a spiritual expedition for the modern soul. The boundless sands veil both matter and meaning beneath their curtain. Though seemingly still, the desert is constantly reshaped by the erosive power of wind. Plants and animals here evolve in astonishing ways to survive, embodying an untamed vitality and merging completely with their environment. Off-roaders ride with the wind, reflecting in solitude, attuned to the whispers of nature and the designs carved by time itself. Wind-eroded rock layers fracture into weathered, three-dimensional textures; time carves fading colors and distressed effects into the landscape, painting the shadows of survival. Metal lace hooks bring unique character—symbols of the adventurer’s energy—echoing the shared “off-road spirit” of desert travel and sneaker design: reverence for nature, bold confrontation of limits, and the continual redefinition of self. Off-roaders adjust tire pressure to match the contours of different dunes— a quiet embodiment of the desert’s ecological philosophy. Within respect for natural laws, they stretch the limits of human endeavor. Surrendering to the desert, each successful escape from being stuck is a conquest over internal fear and self-imposed limits. In a world of material excess, desert off-roaders choose the harshest terrain, confronting hardship with the barest resources. In doing so, they rebel against the overstimulating modern world, expressing a modern spirit of resistance. This intentional self-limitation paradoxically unlocks spiritual liberation. Sweat drips, paint chips under sandblasted wind—but nothing stops the 4x4 from leaving winding trails across the sunset-lit dunes. Retro tones and rugged textures collide, lending the sneakers a bold, austere energy. Tire tread outsoles and heavy-stitch detailing echo the roar of the land, compressing an off-road epic into every inch—etched with the spirit of untamed adventure and humanity’s endless drive to go further.
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PandaPrank 25SS Jungle Adventure
The primeval forest is one of the Earth’s oldest ecosystems, rich in diverse flora and fauna. Towering trees, tangled vines, and humid air create a pure, untouched world free from modern interference—mysterious and full of the unknown. In recent years, exploring these forests has become popular. The thrill of adventure triggers dopamine, bringing joy and excitement—especially appealing amid the fast pace and stress of modern life. As a frontier of human exploration, primeval forests hold natural wonders and ecological mysteries. Hidden ancient ruins or undiscovered species may lie within. For explorers, the journey into the unknown offers both a deep allure and a strong sense of purpose. This collection draws inspiration from primeval forest exploration, blending mountain-style outdoor fashion with natural tones to evoke mystery and the unknown. Deep green, moss, earthy brown, and stone gray create a layered palette that highlights the theme’s raw, natural essence.Light outdoor elements add a modern, adventurous edge while keeping a stylish look. Fabrics emphasize forest textures, using rough, tactile materials that reflect bark, soil, and moss. Accessories carry forward the lightweight outdoor aesthetic, combining functionality with trend-forward visuals. The breath of the primeval forest—source of inspiration and renewal. As explorers awaken their senses through nature, the true path unfolds with the first step. From forest air to foot-bound creativity, each hike becomes an energy exchange with a rich ecosystem. Nature and design merge through thoughtful craft, letting every element flow and cycle through sneaker design, marking existential coordinates in motion. From wild jungles to urban life, from keen observation to full immersion, PandaPrank’s Forest Trek series fuses mountain-style outdoor fashion with innovative design to deconstruct nature and redefine sneaker identity. Journeying through the forest brings both body and spirit into deep purification, achieving balance with the natural world. Outdoor movement bridges city and wilderness, offering more than physical renewal — it reshapes a lifestyle. Returning to nature isn’t escape, but a search for a more sustainable way to live in the modern world. Colors drawn from weathered rocks and damp soil evokes jungle ground textures. Moss-green flocking evokes a primal softness; wood-like labels echo the rings of time. Colors drawn from weathered rocks and damp soil evokes jungle ground textures. Off-white tones suggest dappled light, while deep green fabrics feel grounded and calm. Reptile-scale embossing hides along the shoe's side, camouflaged in the dark.
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PandaPrank’s 2024 Exploration and Design Journey
As we step into the final chapter of 2024, PandaPrank reflects on a year of exploration, creativity, and the fusion of diverse cultural elements. From the snowy forests of Altai to the sun-drenched beaches of Weizhou Island, each destination has shaped our design philosophy and inspired the products that define us. Join us as we revisit the moments that captured our imagination and look forward to the future of innovation and exploration. JanuaryAltaiN45°00–48°03' E88°10'-90°31' In January’s winter, we entered the snow forest of Altai. It turns out that forests don’t only have one color. Snow presses down on the branches, with smoke rising straight up. The viewfinder freezes the pure white, leaving footprints along the way. In the vast plain, occasional bare branches of trees appear, the survival landscape of several generations of nomads captured in one frame. The long winter tilts all of nature toward us. FebruaryQinghaiE98°05′35″-101°02′06″ N37°25′16″-39°05′18″ In February, the snow on the Qilian Mountains gradually melts. We traveled thousands of miles to visit the mountain ranger, Garideng. The weather wasn’t as extreme as we had imagined. To photograph the animals of the northwest, we hiked and set up infrared cameras. A 4-hour, more than 10-kilometer journey, the sky above was clear, the snow-capped mountains rolling, and beneath us stretched vast grasslands. After a long wait, we captured footage of a resting snow leopard, a strolling roe deer, and a fleeting Tibetan fox. Sunlight bathed the earth, and in this forest, we realized that life is like this forest. Every individual occupies their place, interdependent, together forming a complete and mysterious ecosystem. MarchInner MongoliaE97°12′-126°04′ N37°24′-53°23′ What is it like to ride freely in a no-man’s land? We downloaded offline maps, checked our gear, and the moment we stepped onto the pedals, the wilderness adventure officially began. After 3–4 hours in the no-man’s land, there was no signal on our phones. After an hour of driving, we encountered a muddy, challenging road, and eventually, we arrived at the place most resembling Mars on Earth — Inner Mongolia’s Dahuoshan. Turns out, there is a patch of red on the Inner Mongolia grasslands. AprilWeizhou IslandN20°54’-21°10‘ E109°00–109°15‘ Chasing the 36-degree wind, I sat by the boat, waiting with my rod. In April, the summer came earlier in Beihai. After traveling from the northwest down south, the excitement of the sea beckoned. That afternoon, upon reaching the beach, the blue that greeted my eyes was refreshing, but soon I noticed the trash scattered around — plastic bottles, metal, cigarette butts… Some stayed on the shore, others were swept into the sea by the tide. This inspired our new series, focusing on marine environmental protection. Abandoned fishing nets, endangered fish species, and old equipment became the design inspiration. MayFujian / Songxia FerryN23°33′-28°20′ E115°50′-120°40′ At Songxia Ferry, we discovered a unique profession. With a single breath, they search for delicious seafood in the cracks of underwater rocks, a fine oxygen tube several dozen meters long serving as their lifeline. Unlike divers, people often call them “sea frogs.” As the saying goes, “Eat from the mountains if you live by them, eat from the sea if you live by the sea.” These sea frogs, living off the natural bounty of the ocean, have also extended their hands to the sea, rescuing drowning tourists, cleaning up floating trash, and saving trapped marine creatures. They’ve done this countless times over the years. JuneHainanN3°30′-20°17′ E108°15′-120°05′ In June’s blazing summer, diving into the deep blue was like entering a fantastical alternate dimension. With a group of young people who had escaped the city, we surfed the waves, adjusting and adapting with each ride. The waves were unpredictable, crashing on us. The sea will never be calm, but we can sway along with it, finding peace together. JulyHaohua IslandE109.15° N19.40° Tired of the ground, let’s change our perspective on the world. When the sea is upside down, it’s actually another sky. Jumping from above Haohua Island, embracing the air currents, feeling the flow of my mind. Overcoming my fear of heights, waiting patiently for good weather. Capturing the perfect shot requires not only patience but also energy. AugustShandongN39°54′-40°44′ E112°06′-114°33′ How extreme can one embrace the sky? Probably by igniting a hot air balloon at dawn, or jumping off from high altitude with a wingsuit. We hiked tens of kilometers to reach the mountaintop, then climbed into the hot air balloon before sunrise to get closer to the sky. The blank canvas of inspiration was suddenly filled, and the design ideas became clearer at an altitude of thousands of meters. SeptemberLiaoningE118°53′-125°46′ N38°43′-43°26′ The “30,000-meter exploration plan” officially kicked off. We successfully released a pair of shoes into the sky, reaching the stratosphere, and brought them safely back to earth. The theme evolved once again, and the team turned past dreams into reality. A group of us drove hundreds of kilometers, stayed awake for more than 20 hours, working toward the same goal. Finally, we captured the precious image of the shoes coexisting with the sun and moon. When we decided to do this, no one knew the outcome, but when it comes to “MAKESOME CHANGES,” we are serious. OctoberSichuan WestE97°21’-106°3’ N27°10’-34°19’ The creativity on the shoe’s upper wasn’t enough, and the sole modification had much more room for imagination. After numerous efforts, PandaPrank finally received exclusive authorization from Vibram, becoming the world’s first officially licensed derivative brand. The “PTS-PRO TREKKING SYSTEM” high-performance sole replacement system was launched, and the first interchangeable shoe was finally unveiled. PandaPrank turned outdoor passion into tangible products — a pair of shoes that can switch between urban and outdoor modes. This is our sincere work as a derivative brand. We created two flash spaces, distinct in style yet complementary. One was in the wilderness facing the King of the Sichuan Mountains — Gongga Mountain, and the other was in a top city shopping district. When outdoor landscapes enter the city, and cityscapes flash across outdoor spaces, an extreme visual contrast is staged, allowing for a seamless transition between outdoor and urban environments. NovemberYunnanE97°31′-106°11′ N21°8′-29°15′ In 2023, we planted a field of Isatis Root in Dali, helping to revive the ancient non-hereditary tie-dyeing technique. Using the 24 solar terms as markers, we observed the changes in the Isatis Root field, witnessing the power of nature through the seasons. After a year of hard work, the harvest finally arrived. During the ripening of the wheat, we held a flash event in Yunnan’s Zhoucheng, sharing the joy with everyone. DecemberDaxinganlingE121°10′53″-127°01′21″ N50°07′02″-53°33′42″ Everything cycles. When we departed, the snow was falling everywhere, and when we returned, the snow still blanketed the southern mountains. Finally, we met with our fellow members of the Evenki tribe, took time to understand their culture, and hiked along the snow forests of Daxinganling, following the reindeer’s feeding grounds. PandaPrank’s outdoor exploration ends here, but it also begins anew from here.
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