Nike has announced it will be resuming its partnership with controversial artist Tom Sachs, expecting to reunite in 2025 to deliver the Mars Yard 3.0.
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In 2023, Nike put its partnership with Tom Sachs on hold indefinitely, following numerous allegations from former employees and colleagues claiming that the artist was responsible for deliberately fostering a toxic work environment.
Publicised in reports that surfaced during March 2023, the allegations detailed various instances of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of Sachs, with even more shocking information coming to light that the artist displayed a swastika on the studio’s first aid kit, also labelling his basement storage section the “Rape Room” before renaming it to the “Consent Room” in 2016.
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In an interview with GQ in 2019, Sachs even admitted verbatim that he runs his studio “like a cult”, also likening his team to the Manson crime family.
Nike has released various products in collaboration with Tom Sachs since 2012 and publicly announced that it had “no further releases planned” with the artist following the misconduct allegations levied in 2023.
Now, 18 months later, Nike announced it would be returning to relations with Sachs by revisiting the duo’s grail-worthy Mars Yard series, that last received an update in 2019 with the Mars Yard Overshoe. Nike spoke on the decision with the following statement:
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“Tom has demonstrated and recommitted to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity.”
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“We can confirm that our work with Tom will continue and this next chapter of NikeCraft will uphold our shared passion for team, product, and storytelling excellence. More details to come in 2025.”
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Sachs added to the news by saying:
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“I’m honored that we will continue to build together as a NikeCraft team and community. The Mars Yard 3.0 is in its final stage of development and is currently being wear-tested. I’m excited to share more soon.”
