Beaverton-based brand Nike is collaborating with the beloved Japanese fashion designer NIGO to launch their debut collection featuring exclusive Air Force 3 with apparel options as an add-on. The collaboration is to celebrate the streetwear culture, that NIGO influenced.
The latest creation from the duo is the exclusive Air Force 3, which is created in a bold and rugged style with references to pop culture moments from NIGO's journey. The Air Force 3 model will be accompanied by an apparel collection and a hint of future journey of the duo.
The Nike x NIGO Air Force 3 sneakers and apparel collection are slated to be launched on NIGO's brand website HumanMade, "I Know NIGO 2" pop-up stores in New York, and Otsumo Plaza store in Tokyo on September 28, 2024. A worldwide launch will be followed by SNKRS and select stores launch on October 4, 2024.
Everything to know about the upcoming Nike x NIGO collaborative collection featuring Air Force 3
NIGO and the Swoosh label are collaborating for the first time to reach many corners of streetwear culture. The collection doesn't just expresses NIGO's love for streetwear, but also expresses the Japanese' designers love for music, movies, and traditions that have been major factors to influence his decades-long career. The official Swoosh label's site introduces the artist as,
"Nigo is a modern archivist and master collage artist — distilling and synergizing mediums, inspirations and references that define the canon of contemporary streetwear and pop culture."
It further continues,
"His acumen, curation and taste resonate over multiple generations, from his emergence on Tokyo’s streetwear scene in the early 1990s to his modern influence on the world’s largest stages and runways."
The collaboration's highlight includes the artist's exclusive take on the Air Force 3. The colorway for the shoe comes inspired by the NIGO's favorite TV series, Escape.
The Nike x NIGO Air Force 3 "Escape Force," comes constructed out of embossed leather and textiles in premium materials. Talking about the sneaker model, NIGO states,
“Nike truly has many masterpieces. The AF3 is a hidden masterpiece that I remember loving at the time. Through my first collaboration with Nike, I want to reintroduce everyone to its magnificence.”
Branding details include the matching graphics featured upon the heel and tongue. The graphic pays homage to both the archival and original AF3 and NIGO's cultural influences. Similar to the original Air Force 3, the shoes feature rubber outsoles and foam midsoles, adding comfort to the style.
The shoes are accompanied by an apparel collection which features hoodies, varsity jackets, T-shirts with Japanese cartoon prints, and more.
The duo's debut collaboration led to both parties expressing their expectations and joy. The VP for Global Energy Marketing, Leo Sandino-Taylor comments,
"Nigo’s thoughtfulness with his stories and the detail he brought to our first project together has reinvigorated the way we think about applying stories to our products. He brought an unbelievable amount of depth to each creative element that allowed us to be very playful with how we executed his vision."
NIGO also expressed his joy working the Swoosh label stating,
"When I decided to work with Nike, I went to the Nike World Headquarters and drew a lot of inspiration from the archives, the lab and the team working there. Everything I saw had a great influence on the project... It's the beginning of a long and exciting journey.”
The upcoming journey of the duo's collaboration has also been hinted on the Air Force 3 "Escape Force" packaging box. The custom box prints the inspiration of debut colorway and features hints of future apparel and footwear collabs.
The collaboration will be released exclusively at Otsumo Plaza in Tokyo, pop-up stores in New York, and NIGO's website Human Made. A global release will be followed up on the SNKRS website on October 4, 2024.
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