Nike Air Force 1 Low x Off-White™ x MoMa

This collaborative Nike Air Force 1 Low x Off-White™ x MoMa sneaker features a combination of conventional aspects and deconstructed design details to create an AF1 with a classic look that also has its own distinct character. The sole unit, which comes all in black, has a traditional construction as pivot-circle grip lines run in circles around two central discs in the heel and forefoot to give the wearer confidence as they move. This is coupled with encapsulated Air in the heel, which is highlighted by both the embossed lettering on the lateral midsole and the bold Air text that stands out in white just above it.

Upon this solid base rests an upper made of smooth black leather. This premium material has been formed into the familiar shape of the AF1, with overlays in the forefoot and heel, a perforated toe box for breathability, sloping midfoot panels and an eyestay with a gently undulating edge. Made to celebrate the “Items: Is Fashion Modern” exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in New York City, this sneaker contains a number of special details that distinguish it from others. The ordinary looking white laces, for example, have been printed with the word “Shoelaces” in black Helvetica font – the favoured type of Off-White™ founder Virgil Abloh. These lace up over a puffy foam tongue with exposed edges and a label that has been shifted from its usual position in the centre to the lateral side where it is held on by black zigzag stitching. This white patch also comes with orange-coloured Nike Air branding beside the word “Off”.

More exposed foam encircles the collar, and inside the shoe, the black theme continues. The exception to this is the white Nike text that appears on the insole next to a swoosh and Off-White™’s arrows logo. Back on the outer, additional idiosyncratic features can be found, firstly on the heel, where the branded panel is partially covered by a strip of leather that runs all the way from the midsole over the top of the heel panel to the collar. It is connected to the upper via more zigzag stitching, as are the metallic silver swooshes that adorn each flank. While the logo on the lateral sidewall has a bright orange tag emerging from its tail, the medial swoosh lies across a paragraph of white text that is not fully visible as a result. This details the brands involved and finishes with the line “c. 1982” to mark the year that the remarkable story of the AF1 began. Lastly, attached to the laces is a translucent white zip tie that denotes the Off-White™ brand, thus highlighting the significant partnership that brought about this unique design.