Nike and Nigo introduce the first release in a series of Air Force 1 designs that trace the artist’s influence across fashion, music, and culture. This initial version of the silhouette connects directly to Nigo’s early work and the LO2 column he created with Jun Takahashi in the early 1990s. The project draws from a period that shaped their shared perspective on design, later leading to the opening of the NOWHERE boutique in Tokyo’s Ura-Harajuku district.
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The design reflects this history through color and construction. The shoe appears in Sail and Loyal Blue, tones selected to match the original NOWHERE storefront sign. These choices anchor the silhouette in a specific place and time, linking it to the environment where Nigo’s early ideas took form. The Air Force 1 retains a streamlined structure based on the 2001 version, with a narrower toe box and a more athletic fit.
A patent leather upper references the materials Nigo introduced early in his career, aligning the shoe with his established visual language. LO2 graphics appear on the foxing and sock liner, connecting the design to its original context through direct visual cues. Nigo Air branding marks the shoe as part of this collaboration, while the packaging extends the concept beyond the product itself.
Nigo reflects on the significance of the Air Force 1 within this process. “As far as I know, the Air Force 1 is one of only a few silhouettes in the world that can truly be called a classic,” he says. “I never imagined in my dreams that one day I would be able to express my own style through the Air Force 1.”
The footwear release is accompanied by apparel that extends the LO2 reference. A coaches jacket and T-shirt draw from designs produced in 1993, revisiting elements that defined Nigo’s early output. These pieces maintain the same color direction and visual language as the shoe, creating a consistent set that reflects the period they reference. Nigo notes that the collection connects with different audiences in distinct ways, where the designs may feel new to some and familiar to others.
Future releases within the Nike x Nigo project will expand on this approach, drawing from Nigo’s personal network and history. The collaboration will develop across multiple locations and seasons, extending the initial concept into a broader sequence of designs.
The Nike x Nigo LO2 Air Force 1 and accompanying apparel will launch on May 1 at the Design Museum in London, aligned with the opening of the exhibition “NIGO From Japan With Love.” A wider release will follow on May 2 through humanmade.jp and Undercover Aoyama.
