Nike and Bode Rec. introduce a fresh take on the Astrograbber, reviving the 1974 turf shoe with two new colorways that blend vintage sports aesthetics with modern style. The campaign, featuring Ja’Marr Chase, pays tribute to the history of athletic footwear while reinforcing the shoe’s relevance in contemporary fashion.
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Set in New Orleans, the campaign unfolds just days before both Chase and the Astrograbber hit the runway. The imagery taps into the legacy of sport while positioning the revived silhouette as a must-have for today’s athlete and style enthusiast.
Emily Adams Bode Aujla, founder and designer of Bode Rec., ties the project to personal history, drawing inspiration from her father’s time playing football in high school and college. Her deep dive into the Nike archives led her to stories about Nike’s first employee, Jeff Johnson, and Bill Bowerman, whose experimentation with a waffle iron helped shape the brand’s earliest footwear designs.
“A lot of my inspiration for the restyled Astrograbber and this campaign came from the handcrafted details of early Nike shoes,” says Bode Aujla. “The connection between sport and craftsmanship is at the core of Bode Rec., and this collaboration with Nike reflects that history.”
The Bode Rec. Astrograbber builds on the shoe’s original utilitarian turf design, refining it into a style that balances heritage and modern wearability. The collection introduces two new versions, each highlighting a distinct aspect of the silhouette’s evolution. The black woven textile edition offers a versatile sport-inspired look, making it a seamless fit for both casual and athletic styling. The green leather version draws from a pair of hand-dyed waffle joggers crafted by Bill Bowerman, incorporating a personal historical reference into the design. Both colorways feature metallic gold shoelace charms and arrive in custom packaging, reinforcing the partnership between Nike and Bode Rec.
Shot by Eduardo Cerruti and Stephanie Draime, the campaign weaves together vintage influences and global inspiration. Antiques collected during Bode Aujla’s travels to Tokyo feature prominently, reinforcing the idea that great design transcends time and geography.
“The Astrograbber colorways are easy to wear and bring a throwback element to any look,” says Ja’Marr Chase. “Nike and Bode Rec. nailed it with their first collection, and these colorways build on that energy.”
Both colorways release March 14 at bode.com, Bode retail locations in Los Angeles and New York City, and the new Bode boutique in Paris. The black colorway will also be available on SNKRS and at select Nike and Bode Rec. retail partners on March 21.
