R80 plane, Losing Grip sneaker collaboration sold out in one hour
The Jakarta Post
For the collaboration, the companies created Losing Grip’s signature style Hi Basic adorned with the R80’s colors. (R80 plane via Kompas.com/File)
In an attempt to raise funds for the development of commercial regional jet R80, Indonesian aircraft manufacturer PT Regio Aviasi Industri (RAI) and shoe brand Losing Grip launched limited-edition sneakers on Monday.
RAI was established by recently deceased former president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie and his son Ilham Habibie.
The 80-seat passenger plane is expected to go on sale in 2024.
In Sept. 2017, BJ Habibie told tempo.co, “If we fail to develop the R80, it will be the end of our aircraft industry; there would be no human resources because [the people] would not be motivated.”
Prior to this, RAI had collaborated with online platform Kitabisa.com to raise funds for the project.
Losing Grip owner Ipey Sandria said, as quoted by kompas.com, that the two companies decided to collaborate as they both aimed to develop local brands.
Read also: Crowdfunding underway for Habibie plane project
Ipey said that the R80 plane project seemed open for collaboration, which led him to propose the idea.
For the collaboration, the companies created Losing Grip’s signature style Hi Basic adorned with the R80’s colors.
The upper part features RAI’s blue and white brand colors, the tongue is black and the R80 logo is placed on the heel.
Priced at Rp 400,000 (US$28.52), the sneakers were sold out in one hour.
Some of the proceeds of the sales will be used for the development of the R80.
Ipey said that neither RAI nor Losing Grip planned to release additional sneakers. (jes/wng)
