NIKE SPORTSWEAR | The Riccardo Tisci x Air Force 1 Collection
NIKE SPORTSWEAR
Riccardo Tisci's Love for Basketball and the Swoosh
The "Riccardo Tisci x Air Force 1" Collection
From "NIKE SPORTSWEAR," the "Nike + R.T. Air Force 1 Collection," born from designer Riccardo Tisci's love for basketball, has been released. The white version of this collaboration collection will be available starting Saturday, April 19th at Dover Street Market Ginza and select Nike retailers, with a planned release on NIKE.COM in May. The black version will be released worldwide from May onwards.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)
Air Force 1: Symbolizing Riccardo Tisci's Youth
“It felt more like a celebration of my life with Air Force 1 than work. It’s a sneaker I trust from the bottom of my heart, one I wear myself, and one I respect and love.”—Riccardo Tisci
For Tisci, who was passionate about global culture during his formative years in Italy from age seven to fifteen, basketball was the only sport that captivated him. Playing basketball represented "freedom" for him—an approach to a world beyond his immediate surroundings, and his very first form of self-expression.
Nike + R.T. Air Force 1 LOW
A familiar touch is hidden within a style that is both devout and rebellious.—Released in 1982 and later becoming a bestseller, the iconic Air Force 1 LOW was designed for court movement, featuring a pivot-point outsole, full-length Nike Air, and a unique style that stunned spectators. Among the thousands of Air Force 1 colorways released to date, this model, with its simple yet elegant arrangement, exudes a sense of completion.
Nike + R.T. Air Force 1 MID
Based on a remix of this classic shoe, first unveiled in the 1990s, this design uses colors and patterns to break up the upper. The stripes on the jacquard fabric ankle strap complete the new design.
Nike + R.T. Women's Air Force 1 HI
This shoe, which further exaggerates the height of the original Nike Air high-cut basketball design, is a model Tisci specially designed for this collection. The clash between a "tribal" aesthetic and timeless technology, seen in the mask-like detail on the heel and its fusion with the shoe's original design, adds a fresh impression to the Air Force 1, which was groundbreaking upon its debut.
Nike + R.T. Women's Air Force 1 BOOT
The "Nike + R.T. Women's Air Force 1 BOOT" is the most expansive interpretation of sport style within this collection. Using a new construction method, the shoe is extended to the knee, enhancing support and fit. The combination of the classic Air Force 1 silhouette and an inner boot expresses elegance. The towering tongue and the stripe lines that seem to slide down past the ankle are eye-catching. The finish strikes a balance between a novel image and a sense of familiarity.
Basketball is a sport that has deeply influenced Tisci's work, bringing sport and fashion closer together. Previously, his presentations of womenswear inspired by the court and menswear featuring curved lines inspired by the ball have reflected his admiration for the game of basketball and its aesthetics.
Tisci's love for basketball and the Swoosh led him to Nike, forging a deep connection.
The Initials "R.T." Alongside the "AIR" Mark
“Fortunately, I'm in a position where I can express myself 100 percent in everything I do. Still, this project was something truly special. I was given the iconic Nike shoe as a canvas, allowing for complete creative freedom,” says Riccardo Tisci.
By using colorful bands and unexpected patterns, he adds an exotic flair while paying homage to the shoe, retaining the original sole. The "R.T." initials beneath the AIR mark on the midsole signify his personal touch.
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