Photo credits: Makeway.co / Instagram
In a groundbreaking achievement, Makeway—the first and only women-owned, funded, and operated sneaker boutique in North America—has partnered with Nike to release the Makeway x Nike PARTY-6000 sneaker. This marks Nike’s first non-performance sneaker collaboration with a Canadian retailer, a milestone that celebrates women breaking barriers in male-dominated industries like sports and sneaker culture.
Founded in 2020 by basketball executives Shelby Weaver and Abby Albino, Makeway challenges the underrepresentation of women in the sneaker industry. Weaver, the Toronto Raptors’ Director of Basketball Operations and Culture, and Albino, a Filipino Canadian and Head of Brand and Business Strategy for Canada Basketball, have leveraged their experiences in sports to redefine what’s possible for women in this space.
“Our experience in basketball has given us the skills and drive to build something new in an industry that hasn’t always made space for women,” says Albino. “This collaboration is a testament to the contributions women bring to sports and fashion.”
The creation of the Makeway x Nike PARTY-6000 was brought to life with the help of an incredible team of Filipino creatives:
- Ian Simon
- Jenny Balite
- Josanna Torrocha
- Hugo Hum
A Sneaker That Tells a Story
The Makeway x Nike PARTY-6000 celebrates women challenging the status quo with a design inspired by basketball legends like Vince Carter and the WNBA. Its vibrant colors and premium materials reflect Makeway’s roots in basketball and community empowerment. The sneaker’s empowering tagline, “First, No Lasts,” acknowledges the challenges of being pioneers while committing to paving the way for future generations.
The commemorative packaging honors Makeway’s origins at Stackt Market with illustrations of the founders, area codes representing their hometowns, and a nod to Toronto, their home base.
In addition to the sneaker’s release, Makeway will host the “First, No Last Summit” on November 30 to inspire and support future women-owned sneaker boutiques. The event will feature keynote speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities for aspiring leaders in the industry.
The Makeway x Nike PARTY-6000 will be available in sizes ranging from 3.5M/5W to 15M/16.5W. It launches in-store on November 20 at Makeway’s flagship store, online on November 23 at shopmakeway.co, and globally on December 18.
About Makeway
Makeway, established in 2020, is North America’s first sneaker boutique exclusively owned, funded, and operated by women. It serves as a safe, inclusive space to amplify voices often overlooked in sneaker culture. Learn more at shopmakeway.co or follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/makeway.co
This collaboration isn’t just a sneaker launch—it’s a movement redefining possibilities for women in sports, fashion, and beyond.
