Learn More About A-COLD-WALL*'s Bespoke Custom NikeLab Experiment on the Air Force 1

After teasing fans with an image of a unique rendition of one Nike’s most iconic silhouettes, we now have a clearer look at the shoe and spoke to A-COLD-WALL* founder Samuel Ross on how it came about. The sneaker takes a deconstructive approach and has been reduced via the British label’s vision, where the upper follows the focus on textures and is clad in light suedes and white leather. Most notably, it features four eyelet holes instead of the usual 18, while the Swoosh takes a minimalistic form rather than the protruding feature that wearers are used to. Finishing touches include distinctive A-COLD-WALL* branding on the upper areas such as the lace locks and the heel tab. It appears that there are two variations of the concept, differentiated by the heel tab color. We spoke with Ross to learn more about the project.

How did the partnership with Nike come about?

Let’s call it a bespoke experiment, the shoe has been altered quite heavily — we took away the eyelets, stripped off the tick and woven label — we also embroidered on a section which hasn’t had a external logo placed before, suede, and leather skins were reversed to matching tones and textures that form the building blocks of ACW*s narrative. We really pushed for these details, which seem small, but are huge when working on such an iconic shoe.

“A-COLD-WALL* and Nike individually offer unique, innovative, and curated products that celebrate design culture as much as street culture,” added Ross. “It’s a tangible conversation, which is more about dissecting rather than adding.”

Is this an A-COLD-WALL* x NikeLab collaboration?

I worked with NikeLab to create a bespoke AF1 high. It’s paying homage to an iconic silhouette in a way that echoes the brands aesthetic, for my LCM debut presentation — A-COLD-WALL* London Fashion Week Men’s AW17.

Take a look through the images above and head over here to check out backstage images from the brand’s inaugural showcase.