Collector Spotlight: One Nike Air Max Is Never Enough for @arissneakers
Another Month is upon us, and with that comes the perfect opportunity to connect with the Sneaker Freaker fam on their favourite Air Max memories, grails and their thoughts on the future of the franchise. To kick us off this time around, we connected with Barcelona-based Ari (), an avid lover of , who talked us through her collection and even her own bespoke pair of Airs.
Let's start at the beginning! What's your name and location, and what Air Max got you hooked?
Hi! I'm Ariadna, but almost everyone calls me Ari (@arissneakers). I was born and raised in Barcelona, and my passion for sneakers began at 15 when my parents gifted me my first pair of Air Max 1s. From that moment on, I fell in love with their silhouette, and the rest is history.
What was your first-ever Air Max pickup, and do you still have it?
The truth is, I don’t remember the exact model name, but I do know they were grey and white. I wore them for practically everything! I have so much love and nostalgia for them that I still keep them as a special memory.
What was it about that pair that you first connected with?
What really connected me to Air Max was a pair of that my older sister had. I told my parents I wanted a pair like that, so I started looking and came across the Air Max 1. At that moment, I thought, 'this is my model,' and it has been ever since. I wasn’t wrong. Thanks to it, I’ve met incredible people who have become a part of my life, and nothing makes me happier. There’s no rivalry, just the joy of seeing others achieve their goals – and if it's with Air Max 1, even better!
How has your Air Max collection evolved since you started collecting?
At first, like most people, I only had three or four pairs – ones my parents gifted me. When I started earning my own money, I began to invest what I could into sneakers. It wasn’t until I had a more stable income that I truly began the search for those pairs I had always wanted. That being said, I rarely paid exorbitant prices; I always waited for good opportunities. Honestly, I feel very fortunate to have the collection I have. I’m really lucky.
What specific memories or emotions does your Air Max collection evoke? Is there a particular pair that holds the most sentimental value for you, and what’s the story behind it?
My Air Max collection evokes a mix of nostalgia, excitement, and gratitude. Each pair has a story behind it, a moment that made it special. Sometimes, it brings back memories of the first pairs I owned – the ones that sparked my passion for sneakers. Other times, it reminds me of the feeling of achieving goals, like when I finally got that one pair I had always dreamed of. Every time I add a new pair to my collection, I feel a mix of joy and satisfaction.
I’d say one of the most special pairs in my collection is the bespoke design I created last year. I had been wanting to design a sneaker that fully reflected my style – one that, when people close to me saw it, they would instantly think: ‘That’s 100% your sneaker.’ After months of waiting, I finally had it in my hands (and on my feet).
It features details that truly represent me: zebra animal print, pink accents, sparkle, and a mix of materials like fur, leather, and corduroy. Plus, together with my mom, we designed custom dust bags for each sneaker. After countless attempts with vinyl, I also managed to create my own personalized box.
I wanted it to be unique… and it was.
Can you tell us more about the process behind creating your bespoke pair?
The creation of my Bespoke started with a monthly trip between Barcelona and Madrid, with the latter being the place where the process was finally carried out. The first step was to choose the materials I wanted to incorporate into my sneakers. There were details I was very clear about from the beginning, such as the pink color, the shiny touches, the zebra animal print, the corduroy, and the idea of incorporating my identity somewhere on the sneakers. During the process, some patterns were modified, but for the most part, the original design was respected.
Every time I traveled to Madrid, we made a bit more progress on the creation of the sneakers: selecting the eyelets, cutting the patterns, etc. What I liked the most was feeling like an active part of the process the whole time. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, I focused on searching for materials for the individual bags I wanted to make, inspired by the . As I mentioned earlier, this was an additional personal project.
I wanted every detail to be perfect. I consider myself a very perfectionist and detail-oriented person, so I dedicated myself to designing both the bags and the box with the utmost care. The bags have special details, such as a label with my name, the same type of corduroy as the sneakers, pink laces, the same label as the sneakers, and a silver closure. As for the box, I used the one from the original sneaker, because, as the saying goes, sacrifices must be made (either you sacrifice a sneaker from your collection, or you buy a new one, like I did). It's important to take care of every detail, like the colour of the sole, so everything matches harmoniously. With all this in mind, I designed custom vinyls for each side of the box. After many trials and designs, I found a copy shop that managed to make them exactly as I envisioned, because, as I mentioned before, I’m very perfectionistic. Once I had everything ready – the box, the bags, and the sneakers almost finished – I decided to create a card that represented the original sketch of the idea as a final touch. After almost six months of work, I finally obtained what I consider my most prized treasure in my collection.
In your view, what Air Max release had the biggest cultural impact and why?
I think talking about 'greatest cultural impact' can be quite subjective, as it depends on each person’s perspective. However, in my opinion, the reissue of the in 2024 had a significant impact. It reignited the excitement among Air Max 1 enthusiasts to get their hands on a pair.
Moreover, the materials were quite similar to those of the original model, which, at least in my case, made me absolutely determined to have it in my collection.
What’s an underrated Air Max model or colourway that deserves more love?
As a model, I would love to see more collaborations with the . It’s a silhouette I really like, and if done right, it could stand out again. However, I also think something similar to what’s happening with the Air Max 1 could occur – in my opinion, it’s being overused.
On the other hand, there are several Air Max 1 models that haven’t been as appreciated here, like the ''. I’m lucky to own a pair, and honestly, it’s absolutely worth it. I think it’s a beautiful sneaker.
What would you like to see for the future of Air Max?
Honestly, I would love to see some small details make a comeback in the future, like improved materials, more original boxes, or extra laces.
On the other hand, I think it’s time to eliminate the exclusivity between men’s and women’s sizing. Everyone should have access to the pairs they love without the limitation of thinking, ‘I can’t get them because they didn’t release my size.’ Sadly, I feel this will be an ongoing battle for quite some time. When it comes to technology, what I’d love to see most is innovation. Imagine a fully visible Air unit with internal structures that adapt to the foot’s pressure – something similar to the but maintaining the classic Air Max 1 silhouette. Also, why not the option to swap the Swoosh with velcro or add customizable details? Something like what Travis Scott did, but more accessible to everyone. I’d really love to see things like that.
I truly believe Nike has everything it takes to evolve the Air Max 1 without losing its essence.
What does being a part of the Air Max community mean to you?
Being part of the Air Max community goes far beyond just collecting sneakers. It's about being part of a global family united by a shared passion for design, history, and innovation. It's about sharing experiences, discovering new stories, and connecting with people who understand the excitement of seeing an iconic pair or finding a special release.
It’s also about feeling like you’re part of something bigger, where there’s support and mutual respect among those who share the love for Air Max. It’s about celebrating others’ achievements, learning from their journeys, and most importantly, enjoying every moment related to sneakers— from the first glimpse of a model to the stories created with each pair.
Show us three of your rarest Airs.
- Air Max 1 Oregon
- Air Max 97 Swarovski
- Air Max 1 Woman’s Best Friend
Check out more from our collector spotlight series .