Nike and Nigo are collaborating yet again to bring an exclusive style for their iconic Air Force 1 – but this time, they’re adding j-hope of BTS to the mix. The Japanese artist created a j-hope-inspired design that matches the global superstar’s energy and cool appeal, calling it the “signature hobicore aesthetic.”
Using the 2001 Air Force 1, Nigo and Nike designers worked closely with j-hope to bring out his energy in the design.
“I think j-hope is one of the few people who can become a true ambassador for culture and help carry it forward to the next generation,” Nigo said in a press release.
The design is “classic 1990s Tokyo nostalgia meet modern global stardom,” and features a glossy Burnt Sunrise and Metallic Gold leather upper, Chlorine Blue accents, and j-hope’s signature squirrel graphics. The shoes also seem to fit the colors of j-hope’s other brand ambassadorship, Louis Vuitton.
“I really like the harmony of the enamel material color that Nigo expressed,” said j-hope. “And the special shoelace details that I haven’t seen often bring out the charm of the sneakers even more. It’s so good.”
The 32-year-old pop star revealed the collaboration on his social media, sending several pairs to friends and colleagues. BTS already has a partnership with Nike for their BTS World Tour ARIRANG this year, selling exclusive T-shirts, hoodies, and hats – some of which could be customized.
This collaboration is part of Nigo’s Air Force 1 journey with Nike as he continues to draw inspiration from his friends and personal history to create new designs for the brand. Nigo previously teamed up with Nike to create an exclusive classic silhouette in the same 2001 Air Force 1 style, inspired by Nigo and Jun Takahashi’s early 1990s magazine column, LO2. It used the exact colors from Nigo and Jun’s famous NOWHERE boutique.
Nigo, who founded the Japanese streetwear and fashion company HUMAN MADE, and j-hope have worked together before, creating exclusive pieces for the brand: “HUMAN HOPE.” The partnership began last year in November with Season 1 of HUMAN HOPE, which sold out in minutes on HUMAN MADE’s website and the HYBE-owned site, Weverse. Season 2 of HUMAN HOPE, which released in September, sold out within minutes again. It is expected that this Nike collaboration will also sell out.
The Nike x Nigo x j-hope Air Force 1 will launch exclusively on October 17 at humanmade.jp, followed by a global launch on October 22 on SNKRS and at select retail locations.
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