It all began in the American city of Eugene, Oregon, in 1964, where two sports enthusiasts and physical activity fans – Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman, created a brand that changed the course of history forever.
The company, which initially only had two employees, has grown into a global giant that can now boast a wide range of functional sportswear, accessories and many iconic shoe models. And while we’re talking about shoes, let’s take a closer look at the history of the legendary Nike model – the Air Force 1.
The design comes from French architecture – AF1
Air Force 1 saw the light of day for the first time in 1982. So you can calculate that they have been on the market for over 38 years and there is no indication that their continued popularity will end forever and make room for another model.
The striking, iconic silhouette of the shoes comes from the designer Bruce Kilgore, who was inspired by the shape of the French Notre Dame Cathedral when they were created. The name Air Force in turn refers to the code name of the US Air Force aircraft in which the incumbent US President is occasionally on board.
A technology out of this world – Nike Air
While Nike can be proud of many collaborations in its history, without a doubt the most important one was the one with … NASA! It is thanks to her that the brand was able to present a new technology that is still used in their projects to this day.
Because in 1970 the Nike Air technology was introduced to the world, the designer of which was the aeronautical engineer and NASA employee – Frank Rudy. He developed a solution that guaranteed shock absorption, protection from excessive muscle strain and much more efficient training to Nike shoe buyers – all thanks to the Air-Sole element integrated into the insole of the shoes.
Shoes that the basketball world fell in love with – Nike Air Force 1
Just like most of the models of sports shoes that were manufactured in the late 1990s, the Air Force 1 was also created with the professionals in mind, and you have to admit at this point that they did their job! They were one of the first shoes from the Nike basketball series to be appreciated by world-famous players such as NBA legend Moses Malone, middle LA Lakers Mychal Thompson or representative of the Philadelphia 76ers Bobby Jones.
Why was Air Force 1 so popular with gamers? Because they were the end of the search for shoes that could last for several seasons. In contrast to the offerings of the competition, this Nike model was literally indestructible. The high quality of the materials and the use of Nike Air technology also guaranteed the players comfort and a comfortable running feeling.
© @Hubert Wycisk
Streetwear straight from Harlem
The Nike models were even appreciated by the Harlem community, which is considered the cradle of street fashion. In this part of New York, a style has emerged that has become a mandatory element of attention-grabbing kicks, the unique appearance of which has over time been appreciated by hip-hop culture, including celebrities such as Jay-Z, Nelly, Kanye West and DJ Premier and NAS.
The cult status of the Nike Air Force 1 sneakers is confirmed by the fact that the hype itself has reached other continents – the popularity in the USA has aroused the interest of sneakerheads from all over the world and therefore these are now one of the best-selling kicks on the the whole world! According to data from over 38 years of market presence, more than 2,000 (!!) models have been released and their sales have brought Nike over USD 28 billion.
No wonder – the variety of color versions, 3 available height variants of the silhouette (low, midi, high), as well as the collaborations with world-famous personalities and brands such as Supreme, the off-white designer Virgil Ablohem or rapper Travis Scott, confirm the fact that the never-ending hype is still going on!
Is the Nike AF1 something for both young and older sneakerheads? Only at Sizeer!
You are looking for original Nike Air Force 1 sneaker? Check out the diverse range Sizeer. Here you will find the latest offers for women, men and children. Thanks to the design that is refined in every centimeter, you are sure to find a model that is suitable for both a warm spring day and autumn-winter weather.
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