Hiroshi Fujiwara Reveals a fragment design x Nike Air Force 1 Low/Air Presto Sample
Fujiwara recently discussed the story behind the unreleased sample in ‘QUIET #7.’
fragment design and Nike have worked together for over 20 years, and in that time, the two have created dozens of sneaker collaborations — not to mention all the pairs that, for one reason or another, didn’t make it past the sampling phase. fragment design founder Hiroshi Fujiwara was recently interviewed for QUIET #7, and he revealed one of those models: a never-before-seen Air Force 1 Low collaboration with influences from the Air Presto.
The silhouette features a deconstructed ethos, with leather overlays sitting atop an Air Presto-esque neoprene base that’s cut slightly higher than what you’d typically see on a low-top Air Force 1. Of particular note is that the leather heel overlay, unlike its counterparts, is not stitched to the base. Instead, it hangs loose, supplying breathing room to the heat-applied midfoot Swoosh. Further details include hiking boot-esque rope laces with flecks of reflective material and a two-tone midsole. Three colorways of the design were shown in the feature, namely a mostly black version, a black-and-white version and a navy/white iteration.
“I thought it would be interesting if I could connect the midsole of the sample I tried directly to the upper, but it seems to be quite difficult,” Fujiwara is quoted as saying. “However, this first sample was comfortable to wear and was fairly well made. I feel like with a little more trial and error I could make something even better, but that’s for another time.”
Though this pair won’t see a retail release, you can check it out above. fragment design also recently linked with Nike for two takes on the Air Zoom Spiridon.
