In a celebration of style and craftsmanship, Olaolu Slawn teams up with Nike for a standout collaboration on the legendary Air Max 90, debuting with an exclusive pop-up in London on March 1st
Making history as the first Nigerian to collaborate with Nike on a shoe, Artsy’s most enquired about artist is releasing two variations of ‘Speckle’ Air Max 90s. Known for his large-scale pop-art, murals, graffiti and bold characters. Slawn is a household name, and in 2023 became the youngest person to design the BRIT Awards statuette. Having worked with notable figures such as Skepta and Virgil Abloh, with a roster of high-profile collectors including A$AP Rocky and Reece James, catching the attention of Nike was written.
Staying faithful to the classic silhouette, this partnership honours the timeless design of the Air Max 90 while seamlessly incorporating the unmistakable, signature, Slawn flair. The two colourways, Sail and Black, both capture the essence of the classic Air Max 90 design. The Sail version offers a clean, minimalistic aesthetic whilst the Black embraces a more innovative, experimental style.
The Sail design focuses on intricate detailing, with touches like the gold eyelets, whilst the Black stands out with contrasting white speckled paint splatters. The studio clothing-inspired Black pair were previously teased in the Lil Yachty-voiced animation, which had everyone speculating earlier this month. On the heel a new ‘Ugly Bastard’-referenced Slawn logo takes the place of the usual Air Max text, paired with a reimagined, hand-drawn Swoosh that’s been given a textured, artistic twist. With a comprehensive thought process, immense talent, and flawless execution, Slawn hasn’t missed a beat in this collaboration. When has he ever?
Taking a walk down London's iconic Brick Lane, the capital's street art hub, it’s impossible to ignore the two new large-scale additions. Located at The Truman Brewery, about 20 steps apart, two prodigious inflated figures demand the attention of every passerby. One black, one white, each showcasing a pair of the ‘Speckle’ Air Max 90s due for release in the coming weeks. This will be the location of an exclusive early drop pop up, on Saturday, March 1.
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