While many young Crepjunkie’s may be coping their first pair of Nike’s Air Force 1’s this year, the silhouette has remained a firm fixture in both street fashion and Hip Hop culture since its 1982 inception. Shifting its basketball function to a streetwear standout. Handed down through generations, the look of the model always seems to remain timeless.
Stories of New York’s unwavering support for the shoe are countless, and other cities’ relationships and cultural connections to the Air Force 1 are no exception. During the late ’90s, London maintained a strict underground following of the Air Force 1 prior to its embrace of fashion, music, and celebrity. During this period, the shoe appeal was wholly organic, being adopted and definitively styled by the streets.
JD Sports played a pivotal role in the growing success of the Air Force 1 in London during the early 2000s, through their release of exclusive colourways that gained a cult following, with U.S stores and consumers importing styles from the UK. Over time, the shoe’s status continued to grow, with the AF1 Carnival acting as a true reflection of London culture. Most recently, however, was Samuel Ross’ A Cold Wall* take on the shoe that paid homage to the architecture of the city.
To celebrate the models 35th anniversary Nike looked to four contemporary Londoners to share their individual perspectives on the Air Force 1 and its legacy in London, with AJ Tracey commenting on how highly the city regards the shoe: “You could be going somewhere nice — to the club, for example — and wear a nice shirt, smart trousers and then instead of formal shoes, you would wear a pair of fresh pair of Air Force 1.”
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