Everything You Need to Know about the Nigo x Nike Collaboration

News on this release was first published April 17, 2023.

Updated November 10 2023: After months of radio silence, it looks like Nigo and Nike are getting ready to drop the first instalment of their long-awaited colab. The Kenzo designer and founder of Human Made was also spotted wearing a pair of ‘Escape’-inspired Air Force 3s while presenting some of his upcoming Nike work.

Easily the boldest shoe in the Force family, the Air Force 3 style features oversized logos and a bulkier shape. The choice to work on this style could be considered an offbeat one, but it’s also a breath of fresh air.

Given that the Nigo colab isn’t expected to drop until next year, the Air Force 3 does seem to fit well amongst the other retro styles on the Swoosh’s 2024 line-up, so there’s every chance we could see a colab and a couple of GR releases. Stay tuned for more information as it comes in!

Nigo, the Japanese streetwear giant, founder of BAPE and HUMAN MADE and current artistic director of Kenzo, may have a Nike collaboration on the way. Sources have allegedly told Complex’s Brendan Dunne that the duo are in the early stages of working on a sneaker. But don’t get too excited just yet – it’s been said that nothing will release until 2024 at the earliest.

Despite the hefty wait until we see any product, this linkup is massive for sneakers and represents a major vibe shift considering Nigo and his flurry of brands have worked alongside adidas for decades. BAPE initially collaborated with adidas in 2003, and while Nigo sold the streetwear brand in 2011, his connection to the Three Stripes continued with his Human Made label. Interestingly, another source has told Complex that Nigo hasn’t extended his long-running partnership with Team Trefoil, giving more validity to the Swoosh rumour.

While Nigo has never worked directly with Nike, Complex also state that the Team Swoosh head honchos met with the designer throughout the early 2000s. It’s a strange turn of events, as Nike are currently in a legal battle with BAPE over the BAPE STA sneakers, filing a trademark infringement lawsuit earlier this year.

Neither Nike nor Nigo have commented on or confirmed this collaboration as of yet, but more news should unravel throughout the rest of the year. Stay locked to Sneaker Freaker to keep updated!