Off-White, PSNY, Skepta, And More Nike Collaborations For NYFW And US Open

The annual overlap of the U.S. Open and New York Fashion Week has resulted in some key cultural moments in the world of sport and style, and Nike is once again taking the opportunity to celebrate the energy with some forceful collaborations in NYC. On the fashion and lifestyle front, Virgil Abloh, Public School, and Skepta have crafted some key deliveries that celebrate iconic Nike footwear through their own distinct lenses, while LeBron James, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova bring their own powerful touches to the spotlight through their own initiatives. Beginning later this month, Nike will release a stream of big-ticket collaborations to further connect with the pace-making city.

Serena Williams is back to business, powering her way to the Wimbledon final after entering the grand slam tournament completely unseeded. This coming U.S. Open, the 23-time champion will take the court in the aptly named “The Queen Collection” designed by Virgil Abloh for Nike. A jacket and set of dresses were created to invoke Serena’s love of dance and ballet, while a special edition NikeCourt Flare was made exclusively for on-court use. For the sneaker fans, Nike will release a new iteration of The 10: Nike Air Max 97 and The 10: Nike Blazer with colorful gradient touches on the midsoles. They will release exclusively in New York City. Date TBA.

LeBron James’ actions off the court have spoken volumes. His initiatives to provide at-risk and underprivileged youth the means to secure a proper educational experience have deemed him worthy of the accolades he’s been receiving, but he’s not stopping there. For NYFW, LeBron is teaming with Harlem Fashion Row to participate in their gala during the opening of New York Fashion Week. Through this partnership, the superstar athlete will continue his commitment to raising the voices of those who have made positive changes in their respective worlds. Stay tuned for further announcements.
 

Although Skepta isn’t originally from New York City, his tireless grind represents what the Big Apple has stood for. He’s also championed the grime movement not only in the city, but in the United States as a whole, and during the NYFW festivities, he’ll present his third overall collaboration with Nike – a distinct mock-up of the Air Max Deluxe. The upper treatment features a static graphic that features a “June 8, 2014” hit on the lateral side of the shoe, a clever nod to the release date of “That’s Not Me”, his biggest hit to date that earned a “Best Video” crown at the 2014 MOBO Awards.
 

Maria Sharapova is returning to the tennis spotlight in New York City, and she’s bringing with her love of Los Angeles. This second iteration of the La Cortez features an inspiration of the autumn season in NYC and the transition from green hues to the earthier tones. This color concept is laid on a rich leather upper and satin laces, with Maria’s signature lollipop icon on the heel. This will exclusively release on August 22 at Bandier, August 23 on Nike SNKRS, and August 25 at other participating retailers.

Dao Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, the two native New Yorkers and founders of PSNY, collaborate with Nike Sportswear once again to present one of the most thoughtful takes on the Air Force 1. They’ve literally combined the Low, Mid, and High onto one shoe, layering distinct elements of those three trims into one deconstructed build. Designed to represent the sample stages of the design process, the PSNY x Air Force 1 features various elements that suggest the shoe’s incomplete and somewhat formless nature. Three colorways will release exclusively at the pop-up shop at 3 Howard St. in downtown Manhattan from September 4th through the 6th; the pop-up will offer basketball jersey customization using upcycled vintage Nike apparel. The global launch of the Air Force 1 will take place on September 5th.