THRONES

STEVEN TATE — THRONES

THRONES is a statement luxury high-top sneaker inspired by the majesty, authority, and celestial presence associated with God’s angelic throne order. The design is meant to feel powerful rather than delicate: architectural proportions, commanding ankle structure, rich surface texture, and gold hardware give the sneaker a regal, almost ceremonial presence.

The biblical inspiration behind the name makes THRONES more than a color-driven fashion sneaker. In Christian angelology, Thrones are traditionally associated with divine authority, order, and the heavenly presence of God. That concept translates naturally into the sneaker’s elevated silhouette and crown-like ankle construction.

Design

The THRONES silhouette is a structured luxury high-top with a clean elongated profile and substantial ankle height. The upper is completely wrapped in a glossy crocodile-embossed finish, creating depth as light moves across the individual scales. From the toe through the quarters, tongue, collar, and ankle strap, the texture remains visually continuous.

A broad ankle strap wraps around the upper portion of the sneaker and closes through an oversized polished gold-tone buckle. This becomes one of the strongest identifying features of THRONES, giving the footwear the appearance of luxury leather goods translated into sneaker form.

Underneath the strap is a traditional lace closure in matching tonal laces, allowing the dramatic buckle system to remain the visual centerpiece while still providing functional adjustment.

The padded high collar creates a strong, upright profile while giving the shoe its distinctive throne-like stature.

Signature Y Symbol

The tongue carries the raised tonal Y insignia, positioned high enough to remain visible above the ankle strap.

Within the THRONES concept, the Y becomes a spiritual and brand signature rather than conventional sneaker decoration. Its vertical form complements the high-top construction and gives the front view an immediately recognizable STEVEN TATE identity.

Sole Architecture

The upper sits on a substantial ivory/cream luxury cupsole, deliberately contrasting with the saturated upper colors.

One of the most distinctive features is the series of five colored tooth-like elements positioned at each front side of the sole. They match the upper color and interrupt the otherwise clean ivory midsole, giving THRONES a sculptural, aggressive visual signature while leaving the rear portion of the sole clean.

The sidewall is finished with understated STEVEN TATE embossing, keeping the branding tonal rather than printed or oversized.

The resulting contrast is important to the design:

high-gloss upper + warm ivory foundation + dramatic colored sole teeth + gold hardware.

Materials & Construction Direction

For the luxury production version, I would specify:

• Premium full-grain calfskin leather with a deep crocodile emboss
• High-gloss hand-finished surface
• Leather-lined interior
• Cushioned leather footbed
• Reinforced padded ankle and tongue
• Leather-covered structural ankle strap
• Solid brass or premium plated brass buckle hardware
• Waxed or high-density tonal laces
• Stitched-and-cemented premium rubber cupsole
• Sculpted contrasting front sole inserts
• Tonal embossed STEVEN TATE side branding
• Tonal raised or embroidered Y tongue emblem

For product copy, I would describe it as crocodile-embossed calfskin, unless the production shoe will actually use genuine exotic crocodile.

Colorways Shown

Obsidian Throne — Black / Ivory / Gold
Gloss black crocodile with black laces and black front sole teeth. The ivory sole breaks up the darkness while the gold buckle gives it the strongest formal luxury character of the three.

Positioning

I would position THRONES above a standard STEVEN TATE sneaker because the high-top construction, full textured upper, wraparound ankle system, custom sole treatment, and oversized metal hardware make it substantially more elaborate.

This should be presented as a limited-production luxury statement sneaker, not a mass-market high-top.