After months of rumours, teasers and grainy screenshots, the monumental collaboration between Nike and Nigo is finally confirmed, delivering on promises that the forefather of Japanese streetwear will turn his colourway expertise to Nike‘s Air Force 3.
Despite early leaks pointing towards a reissue of the 2005 Nike Air Force 3 “Escape”, official imagery sets in stone a vibrant colourway derived from Nigo’s infatuation with all aspects of popular culture - the result is an overt homage to early BAPESTA colourways, manifested over colourful panelling, set against a white leather backdrop.
According to Nike, the inaugural Nike x Nigo Air Force 3 is a love letter to the kinds of programming Nigo would enjoy during his early years, marking the first in a series of upcoming releases that will each “celebrate the intersection of fashion, culture, art and music“. Nike also announced that the box holds easter eggs that hint at future Nike x Nigo Releases.
Speaking on his decision to work on this design specifically, Nigo commented:
</br>
"The Air Force 3 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"
Constructed from genuine, embossed leather, the AF3 retains its original mid and outsole, with matching graphics appearing on the tongue and heel, honouring the formative design and Nigo's own cultural influences.
A second, Tokyo-exclusive colourway also surfaced that swaps out the former’s white base for patent navy panels and mesh.
In addition to the headline footwear, Nike will also release a series of Nigo-branded apparel, spanning sweatshirts, tees and chain-stitched varsity jackets that all depict Nigo’s own name alongside Nike’s ubiquitous swoosh, colour-matched to adhere with the same hues present on the Nike x Nigo Air Force 3.
</br>
China and Japan-exclusive versions of the apparel will also be available, reversing the designer’s moniker to read “OGIN” - as a way to honour Nigo’s unorthodox reach across all aspects of contemporary fashion.
</br>
The Nike x NIGO Air Force III and apparel collection will be available on 28 September exclusively at Otsumo Plaza in Tokyo, humanmade.jp and the "I Know Nigo 2" pop-up in New York, followed by a global launch on 4 October on SNKRS and at selected retail locations.
</br>
The Nike x Nigo Air Force 3 Low is priced at $160 USD, while the apparel ranges from $70 for t-shirts, $160 for sweats and $650 USD for the varsity jackets.
