Nigo is a modern archivist and master collage artist — distilling and synergizing mediums, inspirations and references that define the canon of contemporary streetwear and pop culture.
His acumen, curation and taste resonate over multiple generations, from his emergence on Tokyo’s streetwear scene in the early 1990s to his modern influence on the world’s largest stages and runways.
Now, for the first time, he’s collaborating with Nike on an exclusive Air Force III silhouette and apparel collection that reach into many corners of culture, expressing a deep love for the movies, music and traditions that have influenced his craft over his decades-long career.
The partnership brings a collector’s spirit to the forefront of streetwear, tapping into Nigo’s record of cultural innovation while harking to a historic ethos of community, collection and cultural affinity.
“Nigo’s thoughtfulness with his stories and the detail he brought to our first project together has reinvigorated the way we think about applying stories to our products,” says Leo Sandino-Taylor, VP, Global Energy Marketing. “He brought an unbelievable amount of depth to each creative element that allowed us to be very playful with how we executed his vision. He’s an absolute master of his craft.”
At the center of the collaboration is Nigo’s exclusive take on the Air Force III, which re-fashions the rugged and bold silhouette to create a new footwear journey rooted into a rich web of pop culture inspiration and reference. Each upcoming release will celebrate the intersection of fashion, culture, art and music through the lens of sneakers and style, beginning with a debut colorway inspired by Nigo’s favorite television genres from earlier in his life.
The Nike x NIGO Air Force III features a premium upper with a mix of genuine, embossed leathers and textiles paired with a midsole foam and rubber outsole identical to the original AF3. The tongue and heel feature matching graphics, one paying homage to the original sneaker and the other nodding to Nigo’s cultural influences.
A custom box points to the inspiration behind the debut colorway and features hints about future footwear and apparel. A premium patch and pin specific to the debut colorway are included inside.
“Nike truly has many masterpieces,” Nigo says. “The AF3 is a hidden masterpiece that I remember loving at the time. Through my first collaboration with Nike, I want to reintroduce everyone to its magnificence.”
The accompanying apparel collection includes a varsity jacket and hoodie filtered through the color lenses of one of Nigo’s favorite Japanese cartoons alongside classic T-shirts that can be styled to match any look. The varsity jacket features chainstitch embroidery, custom embossed snaps, a three-layer chenille patch and a Nike x NIGO quilted liner.
Exclusive to select markets such as China and Japan, a playful version of the debut Nike x NIGO collection will be available as Nike x OGIN — a backwards nod to how Nigo’s work has been embraced and reinterpreted around the world. Regardless of the spelling, both versions of the collection are quintessentially Nigo.
Timed to the debut of Nigo’s new single and music video, the first Nike x NIGO release is only the beginning of an iconic partnership decades in the making.
“When I decided to work with Nike, I went to the Nike World Headquarters and drew a lot of inspiration from the archives, the lab and the team working there,” Nigo says. “Everything I saw had a great influence on the project. There are still many things yet to come, so please look forward to the Nike and Nigo project. It’s the beginning of a long and exciting journey.”
The Nike x NIGO Air Force III and apparel collection will be available September 28 exclusively at Otsumo Plaza in Tokyo, humanmade.jp, and the “I Know Nigo 2” pop-up in New York, followed by a global launch October 4 on SNKRS and at select retail locations.
