Nike Air Force 1 Revamped By Virgil Abloh Looks Little Like An Air Force 1
Image via Virgil Abloh for Nike
The Air Force 1 is one of Nike’s most iconic silhouettes, if not the most famous shoe from the brand. It might be a little jarring to see it in any other form than the iconic characteristics, but that’s what its latest collaboration with Off-White’s Virgil Abloh might reveal.
On his Instagram, the Off-White founder and Louis Vuitton men’s artistic director revealed a sneak peek of the collaboration in the form of a mockup of an Air Force 1 Mid. Unlike the traditional silhouette, these new kicks sport a textured white synthetic upper, criss-cross laces, and patterned ankle straps on their sides.
Perhaps most eye-catchingly, the midsole is strikingly neon. Of course, the Off-White signature branding text is included, and the Nike Swoosh has been made translucent. From afar, it looks almost like one of Off-White’s own iconic zip ties.
“The shoes are a mere by-product of trying to define a larger idea of why shoes are technically meaningful, emotional and relevant, etc,” he explained in his caption, saying that this was “finally” a photo that he liked “enough” to share.
Unfortunately, though, the sentiment doesn’t seem to echo across fans who have taken to the comments to express a rather staunch distaste for the shoes’ new features.
One top comment reads, “yeah [I don’t know] about this one, chief,” and another reinforces it with “Sorry, Virgil, but this is trash.” Another user’s words of wisdom come in the form of “Sometimes it’s better to leave some things alone.” The bin emoji is used pretty liberally, too.
The Air Force 1 Mid is known for being a clean-cut, simple design, and Abloh’s take on it seems to have drawn ire for complicating it: this removes what makes the Air Force 1 Mid, an Air Force 1 Mid.
Ok, @virgilabloh. Explain this one because you convinced me on those AJ2 but some AF1 mids that look like a middle schooler made as an art project…bruh https://t.co/rtbnprprPS
— 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝖒𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖈 (@cuglierme) October 26, 2021
[via Input, image via Virgil Abloh for Nike]
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