WHy NOT!?
For Russell Westbrook, it’s not enough to have an innovative signature line, or even one that debuts with a FACETASM collection and artist-commissioned graphics.
Every colorway has a story — a tribute to family, friends, memories or the culture. His on-court product features the latest technological innovations, while his off-court product reflects his style and upbringing.
The fourth chapter of Why Not? has all of the above, including the Why Not? Zer0.4 and an apparel collection inspired by L.A. workwear. The new signature shoe was designed to have double the responsiveness, cushioning and containment, while the apparel has a plaid jumper and shorts, a black T-shirt, sweatshirt and pants and Why Not? graphics and accents throughout.
To help showcase the new apparel, as well as the “Upbringing” and “Family” colorways of the WNZ.4, Russ asked his kids and his wife, Nina Westbrook, to join his photo shoot. “What I treasure most about growing up in Los Angeles is the community,” Russ says of the “Upbringing” and “Family” WNZ.4. “I think when you’re from L.A., especially the inner city, you treasure and own where you’re from. You own your streets, your neighborhoods. That’s something I keep with me at all times, because I’m grateful that I’m from Los Angeles.”
What’s the biggest change from the Why Not? Zer0.3 to the Why Not? Zer0.4?
The biggest change is the overall design, including the double-stacked Zoom Air bag in the forefoot. I’m a big fan of comfort while being able to move and use my athleticism when I’m on the floor. It’s great to have comfort all around the shoe, especially on the bottom of your foot.
Your family always plays a role in your shoes. How does that apply to the Why Not? Zer0.4?
There’s a crest in the shoe’s insole with the initials of everybody in my family. It was important for me to bring that to life on the shoe. Each year that I’m blessed to have another shoe, I will always implement a “Family” colorway, too.
The Why Not? Zer0.4
The Jordan “Why Not?” Zer0.4, Russell Westbrook's newest signature shoe, proves how the worlds of performance and style don't have to be at odds with each other. In design, one of the introductory colorways connects to Westbrook's collaborative apparel collection with Japanese fashion brand FACETASM. Underfoot, the “Why Not?” Zer0.4 incorporates a double-stacked Zoom Air bag to help improve responsiveness and cushioning during play. For Westbrook, basketball and style aren’t two different communities; they’re one and the same. The collaboration with FACETASM has been in the works since Westbrook met designer and founder Hiromichi Ochiai during the point guard’s Asia tours in 2018 and 2019. The footwear and apparel pieces tie back to each other in color and material choices, which mix aggressive blocking, fast angles and a sharp, irreverent attitude.
Facetasm
“We make things from a place of freedom and fun. This latest collaboration is a testament to that way of thinking,” says Ochiai. “We also wanted to create something that people would be moved by, reflecting the spirit of that phrase, ‘Why Not?’”
