Nigo is a modern archivist and master of collage — he distills and combines media, inspiration, and references that define the canon of contemporary streetwear and pop culture.

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His ingenuity, curating and instinct have resonated across several generations, from his entry into Tokyo's streetwear scene in the early 1990s to his modern influence on the world's biggest stages and catwalks.

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Now, for the first time, he's working with Nike on an exclusive Air Force III silhouette and clothing collection that reaches into many areas of culture and expresses a deep love for movies, music, and cultures that have influenced his craft over his decades-long career.

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The partnership focuses on collectibles in streetwear, builds on Nigo's cultural innovative strength and is reminiscent of a historical understanding of community, collection and cultural ties.

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“Nigo’s thoughtfulness with his stories and the detail he brought to our first project together has reinvigorated the way we think about applying stories to our products,” says Leo Sandino-Taylor, VP, Global Energy Marketing.

“He brought an unbelievable amount of depth to each creative element that allowed us to be very playful with how we executed his vision. He’s an absolute master of his craft. ”

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At the heart of the collaboration is Nigo's exclusive take on Air Force III, which redesigns the distinctive and eye-catching silhouette to create a new “sneaker journey” rooted in an extensive network of pop culture inspiration and references.

Each upcoming release will celebrate the fusion of fashion, culture, art, and music, starting with an initial color scheme inspired by Nigo's favorite TV genres from his youth.

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The Nike x NIGO Air Force III features a high-quality upper made from a mix of genuine, embossed leather and textiles, paired with a foam midsole and a rubber outsole that is identical to the original AF3.

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The tongue and heel are decorated with matching graphics, one paying homage to the original sneaker and the other referring to Nigo's cultural influences.

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An individually designed box refers to the inspiration behind the first color scheme and contains clues about future sneakers and clothing. Inside, there is a premium patch and pin specifically designed for the first color scheme.

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“Nike truly has many masterpieces,” says Nigo. “The AF3 is a hidden masterpiece that I remember loving at the time. Through my first collaboration with Nike, I want to reintroduce everyone to its magnificence.”

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The clothing collection includes a college jacket and a hoodie, inspired by the colors of one of Nigo's favorite Japanese cartoons, as well as versatile T-shirts. The college jacket features custom embossed snaps, a three-layer chenille patch and quilted Nike x NIGO lining.

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Exclusively for selected markets such as China and Japan, a slightly more playful version of the first Nike x NIGO collection will be available as Nike x OGIN — a nod to how Nigo's work has been received and reinterpreted worldwide. Regardless of the spelling, both versions of the collection are typical Nigo.

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The first Nike x NIGO release, timed to coincide with the debut of Nigo's new single and accompanying music video, is just the beginning of a groundbreaking partnership that has been going on for decades.
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“When I decided to work with Nike, I went to the Nike World Headquarters and drew a lot of inspiration from the archives, the lab and the team working there,” says Nigo. “Everything I saw had a great influence on the project. There are still many things yet to come, so please look forward to the Nike and Nigo project. It's the beginning of a long and exciting journey.”

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The Nike x NIGO Air Force III collection and apparel collection will be available exclusively at Otsumo Plaza in Tokyo, at humanmade.jp and at the “I Know Nigo 2” pop-up in New York, followed by a global launch on October 4. Keep an eye on our Sneaker Releases.
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Photos via Nike

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