Say what you want about Virgil Abloh but the man has the ability to turn anything he touches into gold. From his Off-White fashion label to the numerous designer collaborations, Abloh is not one to stay still. His latest collaboration with Nike is proof of that.
When the first image was “leaked” (although we’re sure it was on purpose), the reaction among the sneaker and fashion community was lacklustre, to say the least. Now that we’ve seen the entire collection and are privy to the thought process, we understand why the sneakers were re-invented in that manner.
Named The Ten, the collection is Abloh’s exploration into the design language of the past, reinterpreted for the future. The 10 shoes were divided into two themes – REVEALING and GHOSTING. The first was designed to look accessible, hence the hand-cut materials, open-source uppers and reconstructed materials while the second was made with transparent uppers to further the idea of revealing, essentially becoming a ghost.
REVEALING – Nike Air VaporMax
“I spend a tremendous amount of time thinking about the kid in the middle of nowhere who has a passion for design, much like I did,” Abloh says. “He or she needs a path like this to understand design.”
Though the designs look complex, Abloh says he truly wants this process — opening up the figurative guts of a shoe to reveal the innovation within — to feel approachable. “Yes, we’re making a desired product, but by making a trip to your local store, and using tools you have at home, you could also make this shoe,” says Abloh.
GHOSTING – Nike Air Force 1 Low
Now, the most important question: when are the shoes being released?
The first five sneakers of The Ten project – the Air Jordan I, Nike Blazer, Nike Air Presto, Nike Air Max 90, and Nike Air VaporMax (and our personal favourite – will be pre-released in the month of September at the NikeLab stores of New York City, London, Milan and Paris. The full collection is slated to be out worldwide, including Singapore, in November at NikeLab stores and select retailers.