What made you fall in love with Air Max?
The Air Max feature that first stole my heart and continues to do so to this day is definitely, of course, the air bubble!
Not just because it looks cool, but because growing up, I played a lot of sports, so comfort in a sneaker was top priority. It was super important that my sneakers were both versatile enough to be comfortable to play sports in, but also look fresh and stylish going about my everyday activities. The air bubble provides that cushioning feeling looks almost a bit space-agey (I love aliens and space) and signifies that that sneaker is definitely going to have longevity in wear.
What’s your most memorable Air Max experience?
My most memorable Air Max experience is definitely first coming across the Air Max 97 Gold Bullet. Although I can’t remember locking eyes on it for the first time, what I do remember is how obsessed I was, and immediately needing a pair. Nowadays, the Air Max 97 Silver Bullet takes place as my favourite as I wear solely silver jewellery, so it matches my style perfectly, but I can remember being absolutely blown away when first seeing the Gold Bullet on foot in the ’90s.
I was so happy to pick up a new pair in 2018, and despite all the new releases and the hype that we get sucked into, these would be a pair I’d pick over 99% of my collection. The streamlined silhouette, the sparkly details, the contrast between the gold and the red stitching and the entire colour palette used – it’s just beautiful! I also have a narrow foot, so found that the Air Max 97 fits me perfectly.
Is there a particular Air Max that you don’t have but would give up half your collection to possess?
Fortunately, two of the most incredible pairs I’ve come across, I actually own. The Nike Air Max 1/97 Sean Wotherspoon and the Off-White x Nike Air Max 97 Menta. I told you I have a thing for the 97!
I managed to get hold of these pairs through trading other pairs in my collection and they are both so beautiful to me. The design of them both, and the fact that they are collaborations between absolute legends in the industry just makes them so awe-inspiring. Long live King Virgil!
There are a few Air Max models I have been wanting to get my hands on for years now, and I’m still scouring secondhand sites regularly to try to find a pair not going for a crazy price. The Air Max 1 Atmos Elephant 2017 and the Air Max 1 Watermelon are definitely up there. My brother has both pairs, so I’m constantly reminded of how much I need them in my collection!
What’s the most interesting Air Max fact you’ve learned?
I mean, I find the whole birth of the Air Max technology fascinating, but I learnt a few years ago that the Air technology wasn’t actually always visible. The first shoe to use it was the Nike Tailwind, and although benefitting from the innovation, it was hidden from sight.
If you could save only three Air Max styles from being wiped from existence, which three would you choose?
I actually find this question super easy to answer as I have three distinctive favourites. You’ve definitely guessed by now that my top choice would be the Air Max 97, but closely followed by the Air Max More Uptempo, and then the silhouette that started it all, the Air Max 1.
Growing up in London, were there any models of Air Max that you saw people from the older generation wearing that you wish Nike would bring back as a retro?
Although I didn’t grow up in London – I grew up 25 minutes away by train – I had a connection to the city through basketball, friends and shopping, but also as I used to go get my hair braided in Brixton with my dad every few weeks.
The streets of London were, and still are, the best way to gauge what the sneaker community are loving and to get real-life inspiration into the trends and movements of the culture. A pair that comes to mind immediately that I was exposed to a lot growing up, actually, is a pair that has been retroed a few times, and thankfully so! The Air Max 95 OG Neon, or as we used to call them, “one-tens” – when they cost £110 – are definitely a pair that I’m thankful continue to get retroed. I picked up a fresh pair in 2020.
If I had to pick one pair to get retroed in the future though… there aren’t many to choose from these days… I’d probably choose the Air Max 2003 – a very unpopular pair, but I always thought they looked really cool as I love monochrome. I’m happy to be the only one who likes them!
What is your ideal future for Air Max?
My ideal future for Air Max would be to see a continuation of the buzz and excitement around its history, the innovation, and also key moments for the culture like Air Max Day. I’d love to see new releases that build upon this technology, and a continuing of the innovation within the sustainability space with materials, production and delivery etc.
A lot of womxn in the community, including myself, would like to see a move away from gendered releases, gender signifiers and limited size runs, which make elements of the industry less inclusive for womxn.
