With rumours of a collaboration between Nike and Nigo all but confirmed, the Japanese contemporary fashion OG has now bolstered claims that his debut project with Nike will centre around the Air Force 3.
</br>
Until now, Nigo has only been spotted donning the Nike Air Force 3 “Escape” - a shoe that was last widely available in 2005, acting as a reissue to its 1988 precursor. Rumours indicate Nigo will revive this colourway, alongside two others for his maiden outing with Nike.
Once again taking advantage of the pomp and circumstance of a Kenzo fashion show, earlier this week, Nigo stepped out after unveiling the brand’s SS25 collection and with all eyes on the designer, Nigo chose to unveil a second colourway of his upcoming Nike Air Force 3.
</br>
This latest iteration appears to boast the same palette of the infamous Nike x eBay Dunk Low, with the various panels present on the AF3 swapping between red, blue, green and yellow, set atop a white/ grey base.
</br>
Official details on the collaboration are yet to be publicised, although sources indicate we could see a release towards the latter end of 2024.
<hr/>
UPDATE - 21/01/2024:
</br>
Closing out his day-job appearance with Kenzo at Paris Fashion Week, Nigo appeared from behind the curtain to essentially confirm the rumours that surfaced last year of a potential collaboration between himself and Nike.
Since reports emerged that Nigo would be teaming up with Nike, the designer has been spotted on numerous occasions wearing a low cut version of the 2005 Nike Air Force 3 “Escape” and now with Nigo wearing a bright red sweatshirt depicting his own name alongside Nike’s ubiquitous swoosh, it is practically set in stone (or cotton) that the two will join forces for a project sometime in 2024.
</br>
Taking into account Nigo’s extensive design background and genuine love for the game, the sweatshirt is hopefully just a mere teaser of what’s to come.
</br>
<hr/>
ORIGINAL ARTICLE - 15/04/2023:
</br>
According to reports from Complex, the forefather of eastern streetwear Nigo is set to collaborate with none other than Nike.
</br>
The report states that the deal is officially done and we can expect to see a rollout of Nigo x Nike to arrive early next year.
</br>
The news comes as somewhat of a surprise considering Nigo’s history with BAPE and adidas - two brands which have long been at loggerheads with Nike (although for different reasons) but now that Nigo is no longer tied to BAPE or adidas, it’s likely that Nike gave the multi-hyphenate a multitude of ‘reasons’ to switch sides, alongside the opportunity alone to work with the prestigious sneaker staple.
</br>
Although Nigo hasn’t worked at BAPE for over ten years, some might see this as a tactical chess move from Nike to get the BAPESTA’s creator onboard amidst its ongoing lawsuit against BAPE for the purported copyright infringement on the Air Force 1.
</br>
Currently, there is no indication as to what the collaboration will entail - who knows, maybe Nigo will finally get to work on the real Air Force 1.
