Nike and Hiroshi Fujiwara present the latest chapter in their long-running partnership with a trio of experimental sneakers developed through Fujiwara’s Fragment Concept Testing project. The collaboration introduces three silhouettes that reinterpret Nike’s newest footwear concepts through Fujiwara’s restrained design approach. The project brings together the Air Liquid Max, Mind 001 and Mind 002, each adapted through Fragment Concept Testing with a focus on minimal form, technical detail and monochrome color.
SNEAKERS
Fujiwara, founder and creative lead of Fragment, approached the collaboration through his interest in innovation and product development. During early previews with Nike, he encountered several upcoming designs and studied the ideas behind them. Two concepts in particular captured his attention. Air Liquid Max and the Nike Mind series reflected the brand’s tradition of developing advanced footwear technology for athletic performance. Fujiwara explained that these models represent what he considers authentic Nike design, rooted in constant experimentation with materials and construction.
The Air Liquid Max serves as one of the key silhouettes within the project. Nike introduced the design earlier in the week as a new sportswear model informed by decades of Air Max development. Fujiwara created an exclusive version through Fragment Concept Testing that appears in a fully black presentation. Fragment Concept Testing branding sits along the lateral upper, providing the only visible graphic element within the design.
Fujiwara carried a similar design approach into the Mind 001. The mule silhouette appears in a black colorway that maintains the understated tone present throughout the project. Blue foam nodes punctuate the design and introduce a subtle visual accent that draws attention to the shoe’s sculptural structure. The color choice adds a distinctive feature while maintaining the clean character associated with Fragment projects.
The Mind 002 takes a different direction while remaining within the same visual framework. Fujiwara replaced the original upper materials with an entirely new construction that alters the appearance of the sneaker. The design again features a black color scheme paired with blue nodes. Fujiwara described the process as an experiment that asked what would happen if the model incorporated completely different materials. The result, he explained, feels almost like a new product. He also noted that the shoe would suit summer wear.
These three sneakers extend a collaboration that spans decades. Fujiwara has worked with Nike since the late 1990s and has played a central role in several influential projects. His work includes participation in the Nike HTM design collective alongside Tinker Hatfield and Mark Parker. Through Fragment, he has also produced widely recognized interpretations of classic Nike footwear. Those releases include designs based on the Air Jordan 1, Nike Air Force 1 and Nike Dunk.
The Nike x Fragment Concept Testing Mind 001 and Mind 002 will release exclusively through Fragment retail locations on March 14. A global launch will follow on March 19 through SNKRS and selected retail partners. Fujiwara’s Air Liquid Max design will arrive first through Fragment retail on March 31 before reaching SNKRS and select retailers worldwide on April 3.
