Update: September 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. ET
Nike has officially announced its collaborative capsule with Nigo, which will include the Air Force 3 and a range of apparel.
The Nigo x Nike Air Force 3 features an upper with premium embossed leather and textiles as well as a midsole foam and rubber outsole identical to the sneaker’s original form from 1988. “Nike truly has many masterpieces,” Nigo said in a press release. “The AF3 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.”
A varsity jacket, hoodie, and T-shirts make up the rest of the collection — and another version of the collection known as “Nike x Ogin” will reimagine it backwards while releasing exclusively in select markets including China and Japan.
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The Nigo x Nike Air Force 3 will get its initial release Saturday, September 28, exclusively through the Human Made website, as well as the “I Know Nigo 2” pop-up in New York City and Otsumo Plaza in Tokyo. A wider release will then follow October 4 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers.
Update: August 22, 2024 at 9:44 a.m. ET
Months after wearing the sneakers at Paris Fashion Week, Nigo has officially confirmed his forthcoming Nike Air Force 3 sneaker in an Instagram post with the style of a vintage advertisement.
The image only features a turned-over box with tissue spilling out, and the tagline reads, “You can’t put Nigo in a box.” Up top, a release later this year is also promised.
The caption then reads, “There are multiple sides to every story.
“This collection reaches into many corners of the culture, expressing a deep love for the movies, music, and traditions of craft that have influenced the practice of Nigo. A gentle pull on one thread promises to unravel a rich web of inspiration and reference.
“If you know Nigo, you know…”
Beneath the text, Nike’s logo has redone with “Nigo” replacing the company’s name.
What We Originally Reported on June 20, 2024
Kenzo artistic director Nigo revealed his Nike Air Force 3 collaboration Wednesday during the label’s Paris Fashion show.
The Nigo x Nike Air Force 3 features a white base with a colorful array of accents in red, yellow, blue, green, pink and black. A mix of materials is almost as bountiful, with leather used for the white base and overlays in yellow, green and red. Corduroy is used for the white collar, while pink suede forms the toe tip and heel counter. What looks to be patent leather is also used for the blue strap and black mustache, the latter of which features a metallic silver Nike Air logo. Based on the shots taken of Nigo wearing the sneaker, there don’t appear to be any external marks denoting his involvement.
Nigo, who founded Bape and led the brand as its creative director until selling it in 2013. He was a frequent collaborator with Adidas at Bape, and the Japanese streetwear brand’s Air Force 1-lookalike Bape-Sta led to a lawsuit filed by Nike well after his departure and settled in April with an agreement for Bape to discontinue several sneaker models and modify the designs of others.
The Japanese designer was spotted in another Air Force 3 colorway last fall, with rumors of a Nigo x Nike debut circulating ever since. Through Kenzo, he also launched a new partnership with Asics earlier this year.
Like the rest of the sneakers in Nike’s Air Force series, the Air Force 3 hasn’t been nearly as popular as the Air Force 1. The Air Force 3 made its debut in 1988 and was worn by many players in the NBA. Nike has brought back the sneaker infrequently, the most recent occasion being a Don C collaboration in 2017.
The Nigo x Nike Air Force 3 is expected to release this fall, although no further information has been revealed yet. Footwear News will keep you abreast of any updates.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
