Michael Le At the epicenter of the NikeLab Chicago Re-Creation center is Virgil Abloh, whose time spent at the Illinois Institute of Technology has lent him quite a bit of heartfelt attachments to the city itself. After teasing oh-so-subtly about a new set piece of work at his “old school,” the full unveilings show an initiative that lives and breathes in creative atmosphere, sharing an overall inventive spirit with the rest of the Windy City community. Partnering up with creatives throughout a vast breadth of industries — from graphic designers to photographers — the location will host workshops as well as mentorship programs that instill a foundation from which to grow in any trade. The first of which are confirmed to be Chuck Anderson, Paul Octavious, and Alyx Harch, who will helps others learn about the ins-and-outs of graphic design, photography, and fabric design, respectively. Then, duo Thomas Kelley and Carrie Norman will provide their knowledge on brand identity with the set finishing off strong with architecture thanks to Ann Lui and Craig Reschke. Visitors to the center will also have access to a few innovative editions to in the realm of sustainability, namely, the Reuse-a-Shoe program, which effectively recycles worn-out sneakers to create Nike Grind, a resource that will soon be leveraged into 2020 to create an Abloh-designed basketball court.
If you’re fortunate enough to be in the Chicago area from May 31st to July 28th, then you’ll be able to access the grounds, the events scheduled, as well as a few NikePlus unlocks that they’re leaving a mystery.
