Nike and Nigo are working together on the Air Force 1 once more, and this round brings in BTS' J-Hope. WWD reported that the J-Hope x Nigo x Nike Air Force 1 '01 is the next step in Nigo's ongoing relationship with the brand.
The Design
According to WWD, the upper is built from glossy leather in burnt sunrise and metallic gold, with chlorine blue accents. Squirrel graphics, described as reflecting J-Hope's energetic spirit, round out the look. The pair is expected to inspire a new generation of artists worldwide, per the report.
J-Hope said he likes how the enamel material color comes together in Nigo's treatment, and that the unusual shoelace details add to the sneaker's appeal.
Part of a Larger Tour
The shoe sits within Nigo's Air Force 1 World Tour, which WWD said started in May as the first stage of a multi-season effort. That debut was an exclusive Air Force 1 inspired by LO2, a magazine column written in the early 1990s by Nigo and Nike partner Jun Takahashi.
Nigo said the tour honors his legacy while tying the silhouette to a new generation of cultural innovators. In his words: "J-Hope is one of the few people who can become a true ambassador for culture and help carry it forward to the next generation."
Release Dates
WWD, citing Nike Inc., said the shoe launches exclusively on Oct. 27 at Humanmade.jp. The same report says a global release on Snkrs and at select retailers comes Oct. 22. The article describes that global date as following the exclusive launch, though Oct. 22 is the earlier of the two, so the order is unclear. Check Nike's channels for the final schedule.
Reporting sources: WWD, “Nigo and J-Hope Team Up on Nike Air Force 1”.