#SkAir
“Everyone will be queens and kings, everyone can win. There doesn’t have to be a loser.”
by @hibaxali
photos @skeptagram, @nike
Skepta x Nike has been a much anticipated and somewhat of surprise collab. The UK grime artist Skepta launched his second collaboration with Nike. Heavily inspired by Nike Air Max 97 Ultra (Skepta's first Nike shoe) and a trip to Morocco, the shoes offer a translucent, glowy appeal and are welcome addition to trendy streetwear. The iridescent choice of colours makes it one of a kind, sure to stand out in any crowd. The 'alien green', a pastel neon pink, with traditional Moroccan patterns gives a burst of creative energy and individuality, more than the traditional or classic sneaker.
Skepta released a video showcasing the shoes talking about what inspired the idea.He stated that 'In Morocco what I really connected with was remembering that there were young people, all over the world running the streets." The different lens he saw fashion through is captured in the video. He was struck by the casual practicality in which Moroccans dressed yet mixed it with a traditional motif or embroidery, instantly giving it a rich flavour or as Skepta said 'making it instantly royal.' Embroidery is at the heart of African design, whether it stands alone as a detail or fills a garment, it distinctly represents a culture and within it the individuality of the person who chose it. This being at the centre of the design of the shoes, Skepta wanted to bring a cross road of culture seeing Nike as a global brand in almost every city in the world. Skepta described the Nike phenomenon as “whether you’re kicking ball on the estate, or going to a club, going on a date. Fresh Air Maxes, especially being from London, is something that we’ve always known.” Representing his African roots with Moroccan design, he alluded to his British ones in the 'SkAir' logo; a UK electrical outlet. In an interview Skepta said about the collab that, "I didn’t want it to be exclusive, I want as many people as possible to have this shoe. I remember being young and remembering seasons by what shoe I was wearing. I really want people, especially people in London, to remember winter 2017 with the SKAirs.”