May 29th, 2012 by John K.
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Branding is paramount to success – just ask the founders of Apple, Inc., McDonald’s, automobile manufacturers, and clothing labels that have risen to worldwide prominence and retail dominance in the history of consumerism. The importance of visual iconism was a concept grasped thoroughly by Phil Knight, who created Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964; once BRS became more profitiable, Knight commissioned Carolyn Davidson, a student at Portland St. University, to create a new logo that would represent the new brand, and although Knight claimed that he initially didn’t love the design, he stated he would eventually let it ‘grow on him’. Knight paid Davidson $35 for her work and the first Nike shoe bearing the Swoosh logo was released just one year later in 1972 during the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR. Since its debut, the Swoosh has matured into the definitive logo in the world of sports, evolving from a simple running sneaker into the utmost in athletic outfitting covering the entire spectrum of sports activity.
The domain of the Swoosh branched out to a number of specific kingdoms, later giving way to a wide variety of species that were visually and technically distinct from one another; In Basketball, there was Flight, the Alpha Project, Force, Battlegrounds, and in Running, there was Max Air, Tuned Air, Zoom Air, Shox, Free – a seemingly endless kingdom covering every possible corner limited by whatever was humanly possible. The Nike Logo Project, displayed in an exhibition space at Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, OR, is a recollection of the vast history of the Nike logo and its offspring, sprouting from the original Swoosh into some of the most historic emblems ever known like the ‘Jumpman’ and the simplistic Nike Sportswear crests. Nike embarked on the Logo Project not long ago and was rather secretive about it until its completion, and not until you see the hundreds of logos blocked together in this manner do you realize that having the mindset of ‘no limits’ will only lead to this level of widespread dominance. What’s more amazing is that these few hundred logos were able to exist in a world where singular iconism – exhibited by the aforementioned Apple and Golden Arches – make or break the true longevity of a brand, so could the argument could be made that the Swoosh is the ‘logo’ of the last half-century? Much props to the crew at Sole Movement for bringing this insane display to the public, so flip through the amazing gallery below and let us know which logo is your favorite!
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May 22nd, 2012 by Aaron Hope
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The ‘Olympic’ Air Jordan VII, Scottie Pippen’s Air Much Uptempo and Vince Carter’s Shox BB4 are all returning this summer to celebrate previous USAB gold medal performances, as is this pair pictured above in a different rendition from Nike Sportswear. A street-friendly modern day answer to the ‘Dream Team’ edition, this Volt-accented black nubuck Nike Air Force 180 is another reminder that it was only Michael Jordan who was able to keep the talented and charismatic Charles Barkley from rising to the pinnacle of the NBA and its sneaker scene. These 180 Forces are set to be joined by the other two aforementioned NSW models in this motif; how does the Volt-on-black look compare to the all-neon Zoom Huarache 2K4 from that same pack? Click through for a bit more visual evidence to consult in your decision and stick with Sneaker News for release info. Photos: taobao
Nike Air Force 180
Black/Black-Volt
310095-012
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May 6th, 2012 by Brendan Dunne
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We’re almost to the point in the game where the list of Beaverton born sneakers that haven’t come out in a University of Oregon styled colorway at some time other another is shorter than the list of those that have. The latest to enter the conversation with the green and yellow mixture is this sample pair for the Nike Air Force 25 Low, a bit of an outcast in the Force line that unfortunately doesn’t get too much time to shine. Aside from the obvious color combos and ‘O’ logo hits the shoes sneak in some other details alluding the Eugene’s status as the birthplace of all things Swoosh, with the waffle irons pictured on the tongue tag referencing the initial innovations made at Hayward Field. Click through the photos after the jump for a better look and cop this Nike Air Force 25 Low ‘Oregon Ducks’ sample now from dballaholic on eBay.
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April 17th, 2012 by John K.
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As we get better views of the upcoming Nike Air Force 180, we can see that Nike did its best to compromise the loss of the strap and pump by implementing some snazzy colorways and even some Glow In The Dark treatment seen on the Wolf Grey pair we showed you not long ago. Truth of the matter is that while we would’ve loved the OG stature of the Air Force 180 High, the Pump would be wildly impractical, so let’s enjoy the final product for what it is – a classic Nike Basketball model that reprises its role in a more convenient fashion. We’ve got another look at the Photo Blue colorway that we first caught a look at on Monday, so take a gander and cop this size 9 sample now from skit_japan on eBay.
Nike Air Force 180 High
Photo Blue/Black-Wolf Grey-White
537330-400
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April 17th, 2012 by John K.
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We’ve seen the Air Force 180 pop in and out of stores over the last few years, but 2012′s a special occasion because it has ties to the ’92 Dream Team, when Charles Barkley made the Air Force 180 the sturdy classic it is today. Here we have a first look at the Black/Volt colorway of the Air Force 180, first previewed as part of a Nike Retro Basketball ‘Volt Pack’ here on Sneaker News. It’s got a basic two-toned package of a deep black and the electrifying Volt colorway on the midsole and interior lining, something that you should see on an upcoming Huarache 2K4, Air More Uptempo, and Shox BB4. We’ll keep you in tune to those later on, but for now, peep the gallery of this upcoming Air Force 180 below. Photos: rstor
Nike Air Force 180
310095-012
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April 17th, 2012 by John K.
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Sometimes you just can’t have it all. Just yesterday Sneaker News gave you a first look at the upcoming Nike Air Force 180 High in a rich blue suede colorway, and some of the responses were quick to point out that Nike decided to forgo the true OG build by leaving out the strap and pump module located on the heel of the shoe. With the Air Force 180 High 2012 destined to be more of a casual wear than an actual performance enhancing tool, the pump might’ve been overkill (and who wants to lug around a pair of shoes that weigh 6 pounds?). The slimmed down approach is what we will indeed be receiving, and these new angles in a crisp Wolf Grey/Black/White colorway might sway your decision a bit more because these take after the 2012 All-Star crew and actually glow in the dark. More angles after the jump, so take a look and cop this size 9 sample now from skit_japan on eBay.
Nike Air Force 180 High
Black/Black-Wolf Grey-White
537330-001
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April 16th, 2012 by John K.
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In what’s already been an action-packed day for Sneaker News, we’re bringing you another piece of exciting news – a first look at the upcoming Nike Air Force 180 High. We have you a preview of this exact colorway in the middle of March, but let’s look beyond the new colorway and onto the shoe itself; it features the high-rise ankle cut with the big FORCE label on the tongue, and below is the original Air Force 180 midsole in a black-to-white gradient with white contrast speckling at the forefoot. As previewed before, the pump module will not make a return. We’ve got another look at the Nike Air Force 180 High below so take a look and let us know what you think. Photo: kumastock
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April 3rd, 2012 by John K.
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The Nike Retro roll-out for 2012 has provided a nice breather for the vintage sneaker hunters out there, with various 90′s classics either confirmed for a release or already having hit retailers. But pre-dating the Air Diamond Turf II and Air Speed Turf Max is one of the most beloved Nike Basketball sneakers of all-time – the Nike Air Command Force of 1991. With the aggressive high-top design, pump module on the heel, intimidating nomenclature, and one of sickest midsoles to ever grace a sneaker, the Command Force represents the end of the design spectrum that defies convention and leaves the viewing public in utter awe.
While the OG Command Force won’t make a return this year (and likely won’t in its original state), Nike Retro fans will be treated with a high-top variation of the Command Force’s cousin – the Air Force 180 High. It’s not often that we get to see a pair of Command Forces in deadstock condition, so bask in the beauty of the Command Force in this rarely-seen White/Black-Bright Green colorway below. If you’d rather stay true to the originals, you’re in luck; this size 10.5 deadstock pair just popped up for sale from pinkauctions on eBay.
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