The Evolution of Nike Air Force 1: A Look Back at the Iconic Sneaker's History and Influence.

The Evolution of Nike Air Force 1: A Look Back at the Iconic Sneaker's History and Influence.

The Nike Air Force sneaker has always been a staple of any fashion-forward individual's collection. With new colours and variations always being dropped, the sneaker has managed to cement itself as a classic yet ever-evolving must-have.

"Nike Airforce 1 - Because transcending time is a matter of speed and style!" - Studio 88

In South Africa, people of all ages, cultures and subcultures have found a way to include the Air Force 1 sneaker in their styles. When you own a pair of Airforce 1's, you know that feeling of anxiety you get when you get a stain on it… No other shoe feels as "precious" to the owner as a pair of Air Force 1's… but why? Let's have a look at where it all started.

Origins of the Design

Bruce Kilgore was the shoe designer, and when he started working for Nike, he had no experience in footwear... maybe that was what allowed him to think out of the box and create the icon we know today?

As part of Nike's strategy to focus on Basketball shoes, the Airforce 1 was one of the first to contain the Cup Sole, which still gives it unmatched durability today.

When the Nike Air Force 1 was released in 1982, it was only available as a high top and came in white and soft grey. NBA players Michael Cooper, Moses Malone, Jamal Wilkes, Bobby Jones and Mychal Thompson were the first athletes to be featured in the shoes and are today remembered by Sneakerheads as the "Original 6".

Where Did the Name Come From?

As you might expect, the shoe was named after the Airforce 1 aeroplane, the name of the plane that carries the president of the United States. This name was synonymous with reliability and style, which made it an excellent fit for the vision the design team had for the sneaker.

Leaving Basketball Behind

In the early 1990s, the Crisp White-on-White version that we still see today was launched, and it was quickly adopted by the rapper lifestyle on the east coast. This made an impression on young up-and-coming rappers like Jay Z and Cam'ron.

The Shoe's transition from a practical to fashion symbol was cemented forever in 2002 when Nelly dropped his hit single "Air Force 1" as a tribute to the shoe. His album, featuring this song, sold over 1.5 million copies in 3 weeks.

Customising the Air Force 1

Nike wasted no time jumping on the shoe's popularity in the hip-hop and rap cultures and quickly announced collaborations with Jay Z, Phat Joe and Young Jeezy. With the creatives came customisation, and fans and fanatics started creating art with the Air Force 1 as their canvas.

Air Force 1 Today

Today the shoe continues to be as popular as ever. Very little has changed in the shoes design and development. The Classic colourways still hold firm, and young and old still consider the shoe a commodity in their collections.

The sneaker has also found its way into the world of exclusive high fashion, with Off-White founder Virgil Abloh and Samuel Ross from A-Cold-Wall both releasing their own versions of the shoe. For a shoe that has been around for over 35 years, the Air Force 1 has transcended time, ages and cultures and will continue to do so for years to come.

Remember that you can get the iconic shoe at Studio 88 online or in-store! We launch new colourways constantly. Make Sure you bookmark Studio-88.co.za as your first choice for Nike Air Force 1.

Did You Know?

In 1984 Nike considered ending the Air Force 1's reign, but they were convinced to reconsider by 3 retailers in Baltimore, known today as the 3 amigos. These retailers created the famous "Colour of the month club", which turned all of Baltimore into a sneakerhead hotspot.