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The Nike Air Max 1
Designer Tinker Hatfield was inspired on a trip to France for the design of the Air Max 1.
The famous Paris Center George Pompidou had been turned inside out by its architects, and it was this stylistic choice that sparked new thinking in Hatfield's designs, resulting in the visible air unit on the Air Max.
This air unit, placed in the heel of the sneaker, provided optimal support, while foam soles provided flexibility and comfort. The upper was constructued of premium materials including suede and mesh.
The air unit had actually been around for a while before being introduced as Air technology by Nike.
A former NASA employee, Frank Rudy, worked out how to put gas in the sole of a sneaker, and this was first introduced in the Air Tailwind model in 1978.
It wasn't until 1987 that the first Air Max model was officially released in 'Sport Red' and 'Varity Blue' colorways.
It didn't take off immediately; it was after Nike put a lot of time, effort and money into advertising the Air Max using stars like Michael Jordan and tennis player John McEnroe that it truly began to gain popularity.
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Atmos x Nike Air Max 1
Japanese brand Atmos celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Air Max 1 by applying the famous Jordan Safari print to the mudguard of the model, and completed the look with an earthy orange colour theme.
The Air Max 1 'Elephant' was released in 2007 and is largely considered to be the best Air Max colorway of all time.
The white leather upper, black suede panels and teal details, added to the fact that it was the first sneaker other than the air Jordan 3 to feature the elephant skin pattern, made the colorway very special indeed.
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A Day Dedicated To Air Max
On March 26, Nike and sneaker fans celebrate 'Air Max Day' which commemorates the iconic model's long history.
Every year on the 26th of March, new Air Max colorways and limited-edition styles are released. The very first sneaker to kick off the celebrations in 2014 was the 'Air Max Day 3.26'.
Popular AM1 Colorways
Milano (2013)
This Air Max 1 was originally launched as part of a wider collection that celebrated three European cities: London, Paris, and Milan. It's ultra-premium beige suede uppers brought a new level of luxury to the Air Max 1 model.
Standing out amongst the other releases in the pack, this pair is rather unforgettable due to the vibrant pink accents that complement its low-key tonal upper.
Animal (2006)
The Nike Air Max enjoyed huge popularity due to its wild colorways, and in particular, Japan embraced the model. The Air Max 95 became a sensation at the end of the 90s, and the Air Max brand gained global acceptance.
Hirofumi Kokima, director of Japanese brand Atmos' sneaker store, came up with the idea of creating the most outrageous Air Max colorway ever. Drawing inspiration from the zoo, he designed his first pack, the Zoo Pack, which used the prints of zebras, tigers, leopard and cows. The red Swoosh represented the meat-eaters, while the green branding on the heel gave a nod to the herbivores.
Obsidian (1985)
Part of the '30 Years of Air' anniversary celebration, the 'Obsidian' is a 2017 re-release of the iconic colour scheme and was highly anticipated by sneaker fans.
It's a flawless recreation of the classic, meticulously crafted with the same materials and in the same manner. It's a simple colorway, but it perfectly compliments the Air Max 1's sleek aesthetic.
Chlorophyll (2009)
Celebrating the fifth anniversary of Amsterdam sneaker boutique Patta, the 'Chlorophyll' was also released in 'Purple Denim' and 'Lucky Green' versions, and was highly anticipated.
With an upper crafted from a combination of mesh and denim, and a toebox and collar featuring clean white mesh, the sneaker showcased a perfect blend of Patta's unique design aesthetic and Nike's innovative technology. A green Swoosh matched the light grey denim overlays, and a green denim mudguard brought the look together.
Cherrywood (2010)
Known for their Nike collaborations, its no surprise that the Air Max 1 got a makeover by Parra. One of the most popular colorways ever dropped on the AM1, the maroon-coloured suede and Velcro patch tongue made this shoe an instant classic. As only 200 pairs were released, its one of the rarest sneakers in existence, making it a highly valued Grail.
Albert Heijn (2005)
Considered the 'Holy Grail' for many sneakerheaders, the Nike Air Max 1 x Parra 'Albert Heijn' is an incredibly exclusive copy, with only 24 copies ever made. Amsterdam illustrator Pieter Jansen (Piet Parra) was asked by Nike to design the AM1 to his own taste, resulting in both the 'Amsterdam' and the 'Albert Heijn'.
Named after the Dutch supermarket chain, the 'Albert Heijn' showcases their orange, white and blue corporate colour scheme. However, the sneaker was no longer allowed to be produced and sold after the chain changed its corporate colour. The 24 pairs said to exist are supposedly samples made from Parra's original design.
Watermelon (2018)
This fresh colorway featured a 'Summit White' mesh base overlayed with 'Pure Platinum' leather overlays, and is an ideal choice for those looking for a stylish Summer sneaker.
Green suede mudguards and a pink Swoosh logo give the 'Watermelon' its namesake, while the sleek white midsole houses a green Air unit, and green outsole adds to the lucious vibe.
Skulls Pack 'Blue (2006)
Made with a combination of ripstop nylon, leather and mesh, these sneakers paid tribute to the late Steve 'Pre' Prefontaine, who was a renowned long-distance runner and Nike-sponsored athlete. Honouring his alma mater, Marshfield High School, their skull and crossbones motif was placed on the heel.
The durable and striking Air Max 1s were a fitting tribute to the legendary athlete and are a valued item for fans of both the brand and the runner.
Desert Camo (2014)
The camo-print sneakers featured a rubber mudguard designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, making it a unique Air Max 1 design crafted with the Winter elements in mind.
The sand-coloured camo fabric set them apart on their release in 2014, and made them one of Nike's most popular SP releases. Stylish yet functional, the 'Desert Camo' is a must-have for any sneaker fan.
Curry (2018)
A collector's favourite for almost two decades due to its versatile colorway, the 'Curry' places brown and orange tones on a white base to stay true to its OG design. The colorway re-launched in 2018 with great success, and was also accompanied by two other brand new colorways named 'Red Curry' and 'Green Curry'.
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