Hakeem 'The Dream' launches his DR34M Shake Shoe in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - No one personifies the American dream better than “The Dream” himself, Hakeem Olajuwon. In The Woodlands at the Hyatt on Market Street, Olajuwon showcased his recently launched DR34M Shake Shoe, in the second of three events. It’s only fitting that the shoe is the signature piece in Olajuwon’s merchandise inventory. Ergonomically-designed and made of the finest Italian leather, the DR34M Shake Shoe is the vision of the Nigerian-born immigrant who grew up in a country where a good pair of shoes were but a dream.

Designed and manufactured by Vibram, the 76-year old producer of hiking and mountaineering boots, but probably best known for pioneering the barefoot running movement with their unique FiveFingers footwear that mimics the look and mechanics of being barefoot. Olajuwon’s new shoe differs from the previous ones that bore his name.

“Hakeem has been involved in every aspect of this shoe,” said Vice President, Ibrahim Arch. “This isn’t just a shoe endorsement.”

The same goes for the rest of the merchandise in the inventory. Olajuwon is ‘hands on’ in every aspect of the products, personally involved in the designs and hand-picking the materials. Renown in the sports world and business industry for his integrity, it’s important that every item has body integrity and is of the highest quality. The trunk show at Hyatt Market Street was a broad cross-section of his product line, but the DR34M Shake Shoe was clearly the big seller. In fact, the bigger, the better.

“I got here at 9 a.m. to make sure I got a pair of shoes Hakeem’s size,” said Jack Garrett, Woodlands resident and a die-hard Rockets fan. Garrett got a pair of the DR34Ms in size 16 ½ in the Rockets’ retro colors, and was also first in line to get them autographed. Arriving soon after all the way from Sugar Land, Tim Hoang and Albert Liu, who scarfed up the only other available large size.

“This is something that we need to take into consideration,” said Arch. “People are buying them as sports collectibles. We’re going to have to stock more of Hakeem’s shoe size.”

Although the shoe comes in five different colors, black, blue, orange, red, and the classic retro Rockets colors of yellow and orange, everyone wanted the vintage Rockets color scheme. Each sale garnered Olajuwon’s signature on one of the shoes, thus increasing the value from a collectible standpoint. Among popular collectibles, sports memorabilia is one of the most popular markets. Also available for signature…a table of photos, retro jerseys bearing Hakeem’s number 34, and NBA basketballs. Some brought their own memorabilia for an autograph, at the same cost of an autograph on any of the other items.

This was a rare opportunity to meet one of the NBA’s legends of the game, being the only player in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season. The next opportunity will be the third of the three DR34M Shake Shoe product launches, to be held at Houston’s Uptown Park in the Galleria area.

“Hakeem has wanted to do this shoe for a long time,” said Operations Manager, David Duke. “He’s totally devoted to making this happen.”

After the third promotional event, the shoes and other merchandise will be available at The West Mansion, Olajuwon’s retail store for DR34M, located at 3300 E. NASA Parkway in Clear Lake City. The renovated 1929 mansion is an elegant backdrop for his aesthetic line of merchandise, and is depicted in a hand-drawn, pen and ink sketch by award-winning Houston designer & illustrator, Shel Mitelman, on their shopping bags, boxes, and even their business cards. To read more about this historic Texas landmark, read the story on Woodlands Online’s affiliate, Clear Lake Today at Hakeem Olajuwon launches shoe line.

The full merchandise line includes custom-made suits and dress shirts, casual wear, products and toiletries from the Dead Sea, and a full line of leather goods: duffle bags, handbags, pouches, folios, wallets, and even business card cases. So what’s next? For a man with the ‘Midas Touch,’ jewelry would be likely choice. Inroads into this market have already been made with elegant cuff links and belt buckles with Hakeem’s signature “D34” by Vogt, a 40-year old family-owned manufacturer of sterling and leather goods.

“We’ve talked with Thomas Markle Jewelers about the possibility of doing some signature pieces,” said Duke.

No wonder the "The Dream" is unassuming and approachable; an amazing set of accomplishments for one who came from such humble beginnings.