Nike Unveils the Final "On Air" Collection Designs

A project we followed with close interest last year was Nike’s innovative 'On Air' contest, where local designers in the thousands came out to workshops in New York, Seoul, Tokyo, London, Paris, and Shanghai all competing in shoe designs, the best of which would be put into production. 18 finalist were then selected and of them, the 6 final winners were narrowed down and invited to work alongside Nike designers and developers to bring their designs to life. The winners’ final editions of the shoes were revealed today.   

• The Final Designs

• Nike Air Max 98 La Mezcla, by Gabrielle Serrano

Nike Air Max 98 La Mezcla represents the diverse complexions of NYC that combine race, ethnicity and cultural background, highlighting what makes the city special: its people.

• Nike Air Max 97 Neon Seoul, by Gwang Shin

Nike Air Max 97 Neon Seoul is inspired by his city's neon signs, complete with a matte black body, vibrant colors and contours inspired by the Taaeguk symbol on Seoul's flag.

• Nike Air Max 97 London Summer of Love, by Jasmine Lasode

Nike Air Max 97 London Summer of Love celebrates summer in the city and love, with a personal memory — a first date spent on Primrose Hill as her inspiration.

• Nike Air Max 1 Tokyo Maze, by Yuta Takuman

Nike Air Max 1 Tokyo Maze honors the dizzying urban labyrinth of colorful tube lines that shoot beneath Tokyo. Embossed leather represents the city's concrete surface, while the red bubble pays homage to the iconic Tokyo Tower.

• Nike Air VaporMax Plus Paris Works in Progress, by Lou Matheron

Photographs of an under-construction Parisian courthouse inspired Matheron's concept for her Nike Air VaporMax Plus Paris Works In Progress, reimagining the colors and materials from the job site.

• Nike Air Max 97 SH Kaleidoscope, by Cash Ru

The Nike Air Max 97 SH Kaleidoscope reflects Ru's impression of the clouds floating along Shanghai skies as they shift and dissipate to create new forms and shapes.

"There are attributes in the shoes this year that I would have never even considered, like introducing tools to encourage consumer modularity or pushing the boundaries of material usage, these concepts prove that there are always new ways to approach design.”

Dylan Raasch, Senior Creative Director of Nike Air Max

The “On Air” collection is expected to release this April, available via Nike online. Stay tuned to nss for more details as we get closer.