Nike Brings Together Nigo And j-hope For A Major Air Force 1 Crossover

Two generations collide.

Sneaker News 21 minutes

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Nike’s latest Air Force 1 collaboration is bringing together two cultural heavyweights whose influence extends far beyond sneakers. Japanese streetwear pioneer Nigo has teamed up with j-hope of BTS for a new Air Force 1, creating a crossover between two generations that span fashion, music, and global pop culture. While Nigo helped establish the blueprint for modern streetwear, j-hope belongs to one of the most recognizable musical acts in the world, bringing an entirely different level of mainstream visibility to Nike’s ongoing collaboration with the Japanese designer.

Nigo’s collaborations have traditionally appealed to an audience deeply familiar with sneaker and streetwear history, but j-hope’s involvement opens the door to BTS’ enormous international following. For many fans, the association with their favorite artist could be just as important as the shoe’s design, potentially introducing an entirely new audience to Nigo’s work with Nike.

Through a vibrant interpretation of the Air Force 1, Nike bridges two worlds by combining Nigo’s appreciation for 1990s Tokyo nostalgia with j-hope’s colorful, expressive “hobicore” aesthetic.

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Based on the 2001 Air Force 1 that serves as the foundation of Nigo’s ongoing Nike collaborations, the shoe features glossy Burnt Sunrise and Metallic Gold leather, Chlorine Blue accents, and playful squirrel graphics inspired by j-hope’s personality. Special shoelace details add another distinctive touch.

The collaboration is part of Nigo’s ongoing Air Force 1 World Tour, a project that explores his personal relationships, creative influences, and history through different interpretations of the classic such as the “Last Orgy” release. With j-hope joining the lineup, the initiative takes on a considerably larger and unexpected global dimension.

This three-way Air Force 1 collaboration releases October 17th exclusively through humanmade.jp, followed by a worldwide launch on October 22nd through SNKRS and select retailers.