Latest news with #AirMax1
Fast Company
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
This Nike Air Jordan is a wearable data viz for your foot
After you wear it enough, Nike's latest Air Jordan 1 eventually becomes a one-of-one sneaker in a colorful, custom colorway just for you. The Air Jordan 1 High OG 'Self-Expression,' which will be released July 31 and retail for $185, comes in a shoebox that looks as if it was made from sanded down rainbow scratch paper, and it's a preview of what happens when you wear the shoes inside. At first the sneaker is black, but its finish is designed to flake off with time, revealing blue, green, and yellow panels underneath. It give each pair a unique pattern that's special to the wearer. Think of it as a data visualization of your walking patterns. AJ purists may be used to leaving their purchase in the box to keep it in mint condition, but the concept of scratch-off shoes flips scuff marks from a negative to a plus. The Air Jordan 1 High OG Self-Expression gives scuff marks value: wearing in the shoe so it doesn't look the same as when you bought it is intrinsic to the design. It's an innovative alternative to typical product customization. Nike has previously put out rub away Air Max 1s and Nike SB x Air Jordan 1s with wear-away uppers, while their Air Force 1 Low Dirty Triple White ages backwards to reveal a brighter, whiter, cleaner layer underneath an outer layer that already looks worn. Dr. Martens got in on the trend last year with color-changing shoes with brown and black topcoats that wore off to reveal bright green and blue as part of a collaboration with Supreme. For Nike, bringing the effect to the Air Jordan adds a fun new way to experience one of the company's signature shoes. 'The Air Jordan 1 transcended its basketball origins to become a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s, influencing diverse subcultures such as hip-hop, rock, skateboarding, and youth culture,' Air Jordan's Kenlyn Tyree tells Fast Company. 'Its blend of style, comfort, and performance made it a symbol of self-expression and status for a generation of young people.' Typically, apparel made from materials like raw denim or leather are thought to get better with wear, but with rub-away shoes, that idea is taken to another level. The imperfections are the point, and with Nike's color-changing Air Jordan 1s, the bold, bright colors draw attention to them even more.
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Nike's house is not in order and customers are paying the price
In 1978, Nike released the Air Tailwind: the first sneaker to feature the brand's now-iconic Air cushioning technology. The tech was hidden inside the midsole, but it marked the beginning of Nike's most powerful innovation story. Nearly a decade later, the Air Max 1 made the invisible visible. With its exposed Air unit and sleek silhouette, Nike didn't just launch a created a movement that blurred the lines between performance and lifestyle. Related: Nike delivers bad news for customers Since then, Nike (NKE) has claimed the innovation crown. From Flyknit to auto-lacing sneakers, sustainability pushes to space-inspired capsules, the brand knows how to look futuristic. But beyond the buzzwords, how much of it has truly moved the needle? Recent years have been marked less by invention and more by reshuffles and retreats. Earnings have dropped. Strategy has shifted. And now, the man who helped shape Nike's innovative identity for decades is stepping down at the worst possible time. Image source: GingeSwagTia/Shutterstock Chief Innovation Officer John Hoke is retiring after more than 30 years at Nike, according to Retail Dive. Hoke will stay on through October to wrap up projects and support a transition, but his departure marks yet another high-profile exit from a company trying to course correct. Hoke's legacy inside Nike runs deep. He joined the company in 1995 and went on to lead some of Nike's most influential creative and innovation work. His fingerprints are on everything from product design systems to some of Nike's boldest launches. Former colleagues have credited him with helping define Nike's visual language. Related: Nike turns to unexpected brand in desperate bid to win back Gen Z But his exit follows a growing list of shakeups. Just this year, longtime Nike exec Heidi O'Neill stepped down after 26 years. The company also restructured its product and brand leadership under CEO Elliott Hill, who has brought in new leaders to steer the ship. Additionally, Nike just announced that Michael Gonda, a former McDonald's and Chobani executive, will be the new chief communications officer. At this point, if you've lost track of who has left and who has joined Nike, you're not alone - my head is spinning, too. Nike isn't just bleeding talent - it's bleeding trust. Retail partners are still recovering from the years Nike spent chasing direct-to-consumer dominance. Investors are watching a turnaround plan that has yet to prove itself. And the brand's identity, once centered on innovation, feels increasingly unmoored. This past quarter, Nike reported a 9% revenue decline. Executives made it clear they're in damage control mode: cutting promos, clearing inventory through outlets, and repositioning Nike Digital as a full-price channel. But aging franchises and weak apparel continue to drag on momentum. In February, Nike announced a partnership with Kim Kardashian's Skims brand. The first drop was promised for this spring, aimed at boosting appeal in the women's segment. Yet with fewer than 17 days left in the season, time is running out. It was a bold move on paper. But bold branding without timely execution? Not the best look. Meanwhile, recently named Chief Innovation, Design, and Product Officer Phil McCartney is expected to name Hoke's successor, although that appointment has not yet been made. The delay raises even more questions about where Nike's innovation engine is headed next, and whether it still knows how to build greatness from within. For Nike to win again, innovation can't just be part of its story - it has to be the spark that reignites everything. Related: Nike, Adidas face rising threat on the golf course The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
March 26 is Air Max Day, celebrating Nike's iconic cushioned kicks
Air Max Day, celebrated annually on March 26, commemorates the debut of Nike's revolutionary Air Max 1 sneaker — which dates all the way back in 1987. The original Air Max introduced the world to those visible air pockets of cushioning. We won't lie: We wanted them immediately. The history of Air Max Day This annual holiday was first established by Nike in 2014 to commemorate the evolution and cultural impact of the Air Max line. And each year, Nike marks the holiday with special releases and events that honor the shoe's legacy. This year, Nike has already proven their commitment to continuing the Air Max tradition by unveiling the Air Max Dn8. In addition, Nike is collaborating with several renowned boutiques to offer exclusive editions. For instance, Burn Rubber Detroit has announced the release of the Air Max Dn8 "Green Strike" on Air Max Day, available both online and via their app. As you can see, since its inception, Air Max Day has grown into a global celebration that unites sneaker enthusiasts everywhere. The to celebrate Air Max Day Don't worry; you don't have to buy a new pair of shoes just to partake in the Air Max Day festivities. (It's also OK if you don't even wear Nikes!) Sneaker enthusiasts can enjoy in the festivities by: Get moving. Put on your sneakers — any sneakers, but Air Max if you have them — and get moving. Sneakers are designed for exercise, so using them as intended seems like a perfect way to honor the holiday to us. As Nike would say… Just do it. Explore the Air Max collaborations and history. We've gathered plenty of current examples of classic Air Max shoes here, but if you're a true sneakerhead, you can go deeper. We loved looking through this Sotheby's auction of Nike memorabilia — including Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman's handmade shoes from 1960 — to get a sense for the deeper history of the brand. Similar deep dives abound online. Engage with the community. Share your favorite Air Max stories and collections on social media using #AirMaxDay. Visit your local retailers. If a brand new pair of Nike shoes is your one true desire, we won't stop you. You can support local sneaker shops participating in Air Max Day events and releases buy shopping on this day. Air Max Day 2025 not only honors the legacy of a groundbreaking sneaker but also invites fans worldwide to celebrate the marriage of sport and style that Nike's Air Max captures — today, and for the past thirty years.
