Whether you know them by “white on whites” or “uptowns,” the Nike Air Force 1 is among the most recognizable sneakers out there.
By this point, we all know the story about the Bruce Kilgore-designed basketball sneaker. Originally launching as a high-top in 1982, the sneaker arrived as a low-top in 1983, right as it was starting to gain steam. In the decades that followed, the AF1 became: the face of several iconic on-the-court P.E.s, the canvas for NIGO and BAPE’s Bapesta, and even the subject matter of Nelly’s chart-topping single.
The AF1 is a cultural icon that, for better or worse, fell into a bit of a slumber. Recently, though, the giant has been awakening from its slumber. It’s not to say the AF1 hasn’t seen constant energy from Nike, but it seems like all the energy it has been receiving is way more calculated and way more intentional.
Lil Yatchy, for all his aloof takes on several things, is a voice of a generation- and a contributor to the rise in buzz of the Uptown. The Atlanta rapper may not have introduced Gen Z to the AF1, but he surely showed them why generations before them cared so much about the sneaker. Recent launches of Air Force 1s dressed in patent leather have not only scratched an itch for nostalgic sneaker heads, but they have also tastefully reintroduced the patent leather trend of the 2000s into the fold. The same patent leather AF1s that originally inspired BAPE, which leads us perhaps to the most intentional move from Nike recently.
Last week, Nike announced a new Air Force 1 “journey” with the incomparable Nigo. This latest chapter in Nigo’s journey with Nike promises to be a multi-season exploration into Nigo’s longstanding influence across fashion, music, and culture- all told through the Air Force 1.
The first Air Force 1 from this collection channels Nigo’s first days as a tastemaker and influence in the Japanese fashion space. According to Nike, “the Lo2 AF1 draws on his origin story and the magazine column he and Nike partner Jun Takahashi made famous in the early 1990s, titled LO2. Now a revered reference point in Japanese culture, LO2 was an outlet for Nigo and Jun to share their taste in fashion and design, setting the foundation for their landmark NOWHERE boutique in Tokyo’s Ura-Harajuku district. The influence of LO2 and NOWHERE is evident in Nigo’s first Air Force 1 silhouette, which is awash in Sail and Loyal Blue — color-matched to an original NOWHERE sign from the destination storefront.”
The full name of the sneaker isn’t the only surprising thing about this particular pair of AF1s. Nigo worked closely with Nike designers to bring back the shape of vintage Air Force 1s of the 2000s. Not only showing how important this collection is for NIGO, but also how serious Nike, too, is taking the resurgence of the Air Force 1. This capsule is quite literally a full circle moment, and we cannot wait to see what else they cook up in this collection.
Earlier this month, Nike SB put its touch on the Uptown, too. The Nike SB Air Force 1 pairs the look of the classic low-top Air Force 1 with skate-specific innovation and engineering, featuring an Air unit in the heel for impact protection, reduced midsole height for increased board feel, a reinforced padded tongue, and all improve on the shoe’s overall comfort. When you consider the sneaker is, well, over 40 years old, that is a big deal.
Nike SB’s rendition did what sneaker heads have been praying for for years. They made the Uptown great for daily wear. The debut colorway, too, is perfect for those looking to make the iconic sneaker a daily driver. Nike has already promised that more colorways are on the way, too.
Whether you are looking to get a piece of the patent leather hype. Or whether you want to appreciate NIGO’s impact on streetwear. Or even if you want a comfortable and tasteful sneaker. The Air Force 1 has never been more diverse and ready for your attention than it is now.
Shop the latest Nike Air Force 1s via Foot Locker.
