SoleGRIND
| 👟 Sneaker Release Info | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nike |
| Model | Nike KD 12 |
| Style Code | CT2740-900 |
| Release Date | December 27, 2019 |
| Retail Price | $150 |
| Available At | Nike.com |
The “Aunt Pearl” line is one of the most meaningful traditions in sneaker culture. Every year, Kevin Durant and Nike team up with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to release a special colorway honoring Durant’s late aunt, Pearl, who passed away from lung cancer in 2000. The KD 12 “Aunt Pearl” dropped on December 27th, 2019, and it might be the most ambitious Aunt Pearl yet.
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What makes the KD 12 version special is that it’s a greatest hits collection. Nike pulled design elements from every previous Aunt Pearl release going back to the KD 4 in 2012. If you’ve been collecting the Aunt Pearl series over the years, this shoe is basically a tribute to the entire line.
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Let me break down what they borrowed from each generation. The pearl graphic on the collar foam comes from the KD 4. The sock liner graphic is from the KD 5. The rose heel graphic comes from the KD 6. That distinctive wing strap across the forefoot is from the KD 7. The heel embroidery is from the KD 9. The material on the tongue, collar, and Swoosh is from the KD 10. And the outsole marbling comes from the KD 11. Seven generations of details packed into one shoe.
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That’s not just a lazy mashup. It’s a curated design that respects each iteration of the Aunt Pearl story. If you know the history, you can spot each reference. If you don’t, it still works as a beautiful pink-based colorway. Either way, the shoe has layers of meaning.
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The colorway is listed as Multi-Color/Multi-Color, style code CT2740-900. In practice, it’s a monochromatic pink palette. Soft blush pinks on the toe and mid-panel transition to deeper magentas and violets on the outsole and heel accents. The translucent portions of the upper have a pearl graphic underneath, giving an iridescent, oyster-shell quality. The Swoosh on the lateral side is rendered in an iridescent white finish with bright pink zigzag stitching around it.
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The wing strap across the laces is the most eye-catching element. Sculpted to look like layered angel wings in matching pink, it’s a direct callback to the KD 7 Aunt Pearl. It’s functional too, adding lockdown to the lacing system. The tongue features a plush velvet-like material with “Aunt Pearl” script embossed on it. That’s a premium touch that elevates the shoe beyond a standard colorway.
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One insole displays Kay Yow Cancer Fund branding with the recognizable logo. The other shows a KD logo. The number 35 is molded into the heel area of the outsole, Durant’s jersey number. The outsole itself uses a swirled purple and pearl marbling effect from the KD 11, creating a visually striking bottom that looks almost too good to scuff up on court.
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The KD 12 as a silhouette is a strong performer. Full-length Zoom Air Strobel with additional Zoom in the heel. The cushioning is responsive without being mushy. The upper uses a quad-axial flyknit that provides breathability and support. So the Aunt Pearl isn’t just a looker. It’s built for real basketball.
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Five percent of the revenue from each Aunt Pearl sale goes back to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The funding supports research for a cure against all women’s cancers, not just breast cancer, and develops programs in underserved communities. That’s been the mission since the first Aunt Pearl release, and it gives the shoe a purpose beyond aesthetics.
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The KD 12 Aunt Pearl retailed for $150. It released on December 27th, 2019, right in the middle of the holiday shopping rush. That timing was intentional. Nike positioned it as a Christmas gift play, and the pink colorway with its pearl details and angel wing strap has a distinctly gift-worthy feel. It’s the kind of shoe that looks as good in a collection display as it does on court.
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The Aunt Pearl series has become some of the most collectible shoes in Durant’s signature line. People who would never buy a pink basketball shoe make exceptions for the Aunt Pearl. That’s because the story behind it is real. This isn’t a brand inventing a cause for marketing. Durant genuinely loved his aunt. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund does genuine work. The shoes are genuinely beautiful. When all three of those things align, you get a release that transcends the usual sneaker hype cycle.
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The KD 12 version might be the best Aunt Pearl yet, specifically because it acknowledges the entire history of the line. It’s a milestone release. If Nike ever stops making Aunt Pearls, this would be the one to have in your collection because it contains all the others.
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The Nike KD 12 “Aunt Pearl” released for $150 on December 27th, 2019. Style code CT2740-900. Colorway: Multi-Color/Multi-Color. Five percent of revenue goes to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. A shoe with a story, a purpose, and seven generations of design history woven into it.
