The late creative mastermind was Virgil Abloh, whose collaborations with Nike forever changed the sneaker and fashion space, changed the sneaker and fashion space with his Firsts. Best known for his avant-garde approach to design, Abloh worked with Nike to bring a high fashion and streetwear performance aesthetic together in some of the most iconic sneaker releases of modern history. His ability to give already veteran Nike silhouettes his spin made his collaborations with Nike one of the most sought-after and coveted in the sneaker world. In this article, we explore the most important Off White x Nike collabs as they shaped sneaker culture and fashion and how Abloh’s creative vision leaves a mark.
The Ten “The Ten” Collection (2017)
In 2017, “The Ten,” the first off-white and Nike collaboration, was considered by many to be one of the most important sneaker collaborations ever. The collection of 10 new sneakers in Nike’s history had Abloh’s trademarked stripped-down look, meaning exposed stitching, zip ties, and big letters were all in evidence. The Air Jordan 1, Air Presto, Air Max 90 and Nike Blazer made up the ten models. The collection consisted of each sneaker stripped down to its raw components, with Abloh leaving undone parts of the shoes to highlight the work or lack thereof.
Not only did “The Ten” revolutionize how designers approached design, but it also blurred the line between luxury fashion and everyday streetwear. This collaboration resonated so strongly with sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts alike because it was a collaboration that brought Nike’s classic models to life in ways no one saw coming with Virgil Abloh’s skill at elevating Nike’s style. Due to the nature of the collection and insane demand, many pairs sold well over their retail prices. ‘The Ten’ also set the table for future Off-White and Nike collaborations and locked Abloh into becoming a cultural icon.
Nike Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’ Off White (2018)
One of the most sought-after Nike x Off-White x Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” sneakers is simply one of the moments in sneaker history. This collaboration on ‘Chicago’ released in 2018, gave a new twist on Nike’s most legendary model of all time, the Air Jordan 1. Abloh deconstructed the Air Jordan 1 with exposed stitching, an industrial design flavour and the ‘AIR’ on the midsole, making the label Abloh’s hallmark. This sneaker sported a zip tie, OffWhite’s signature Helvetica text on side panels, and left no doubt that it was by Abloh.
Abloh’s innovative design philosophy and Brand Nike’s deep archive of historical collections come together for the first time in the Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” collaboration, which has been an instant hit with sneaker loyalists worldwide. The idea earned the appeal of nostalgia among sneakerheads who’d stashed their kicks away in the attic since the world first got involved in kicks and new wearers who considered their sneakers an essential fashion item. This collaboration proved how the combination of these two forces worked, making it one of the most powerful collaborations in sneaker culture.
Nike Air Presto (2017) off White
The Off White x Nike Air Presto released in 2017 stood out in the’ The Ten’ collection. Always thought of as one of Nike’s most groundbreaking designs with the Air Presto, Abloh’s reworking of the take added several unique details. The sneaker was in the same style of deconstruction and experimentation that emerged from Abloh’s signature characteristic style, in which a mesh upper was featured, exposing stitched and a bold colourway. We got a futuristic sneaker, but it almost felt familiar; it was also functional and fashionable.
Off-White x Nike Air Presto set itself apart because it played with conventional materials and how it reimagined the sneaker’s design. Abloh’s version of the Presto has turned the shoe from a performance model into a true high fashion statement, capturing the attention of sneakerheadsand fashion fans. However, this collaboration further cemented the reputation Abloh had already built for him as a master of high and low culture transplant, and the Air Presto became one of the most sought-after sneakers in the entire collection.
2017 Off White x Nike Air Max 90
His Off-White x Nike Air Max 90, part of ‘The Ten,’ is another iconic sneaker that exemplifies Virgil Abloh’s one-offs on similar iterations of the sneaker. A perfect blend of luxury and streetwear, Abloh’s rendition of the Air Max 90 was one of Nike’s most popular models for cushioning and comfort. Materials used within the collaboration included leather, suede and mesh, bold text branding on the side panels and the signature zip tie. All versions of the model came in ‘Desert Ore’ and ‘White’, two very popular colourways with their individual touches.
The Air Max 90 collaboration was widely recognized for its unique approach to a classic skate silhouette. Among other collaborations at stores, the sneaker is unique in using exposed stitching, bold typography, and unconventional colour choices. The Off-White x Nike Air Max 90 was also part of “The Ten,” which had both the Air Max line and Off-White fans salivating over the release. The sneaker’s success was partly why Abloh excelled at making classic designs seem current and relevant, a recurring theme with his Nike collaborations.
Nike Blazer Mid “The Ten” Off-White (2017)
The first collaboration of Off-White x Nike produced another standout: the Off-White x Nike Blazer Mid ‘The Ten’. The basketball shoe with a long history and was not seen much before it came back in this collaboration was the Blazer Mid. For Blazer Mid, Abloh gave it a deconstructed option showing off exposed foam, visible stitching, and bold graphic branding. The Off-White signature zip tie and industrial style markings interestingly added to the sneaker’s uniqueness and modernity.
The Blazer Mid ‘The Ten’ was the ultimate Nike model released from the collaboration and one of the most successful ever due to its fresh take on a Nike classic. But Abloh’s version of the Blazer breathed new life into the model from a functional basketball shoe to a must-have streetwear staple. Right off the bat, neither sneaker collectors nor fashion lovers took long to jump on the sneaker’s hype, and its success would ultimately play a part in defining future collaborations for Off-White x Nike.
Nike Dunk Low (2020) Off White
Released in 2020, the Off-White x Nike Dunk Low is part of a slew of highly hyped releases that have cemented the Dunk as one of the most coveted sneakers of the past year. Bold, eye-catching dunk weak designs with off-centre Swooshes, exposed stitching and a mix of materials, including leather and suede. This was an example of Abloh’s playfulness and sophistication as it relates to the Dunk Low — from colourways such as ‘Lotus Pink’ and ‘University Gold’ that took in the Dunk’s heritage while contributing something new to the archive.
With the comeback of the silhouette, the Dunk Low collaboration was a defying moment in terms of the surge of the creation itself in the years just before its release. This version of the Dunk in Abloh’s streetwear to high fashion, sportswear fusion helped bring the shoe back. Like many collaborations, the Off-White x Nike Dunk Low was extremely popular amongst collectors during its launch, with the shoe quickly selling out and commanding crazy resale prices.
Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% (2020) off White.
The Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% is a performance running shoe that Off White and Nike collaborated on for 2020. It was a change of pace, halfway between performance shoes and high fashion from Abloh’s point of view — using his high fashion sensibility on a more technical model. They also had a futuristic Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% design with exposed foam bol,dcolourways and unique lacing systems. The sneaker was a high-performance, high-fashion idea, which Virgil Abloh had pulled off before with Nike.
As part of the deconstruction that Abloh is so famous for, the Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% had a raw and cutting-edge design and function. It extended Abloh’s reach in the world of performance footwear even further, demonstrating not only how his design repertoire could transcend the bounds of lifestyle sneaker design but also that the ethos of his work could indeed operate in the world of elite athletic performance.
Conclusion
OffWhite’s collaborations with Nike have set the new standard for sneaker collaborations, redefining what a sneaker collaboration can be. Vintage Nike, like the Air Force 1 and Air 90s, really came into its own under the influence of Virgil Abloh; his designs from “The Ten” collection through to his recent releases were a reimagining of what was essentially high fashion statement pieces out of classic Nike silhouettes. His talent of merging luxury looks with streetwear know-how to make sneakers attractive to both sneakerheads and fashion-forward customers. But although the first was saddled with grief in 2021 when the passing of Virgil Abloh was announced, the legacy of both men in the sneaker world still lives on in some form through some of the most iconic collaborations ever, ones that continue to influence sneaker culture to this day.
