A Closer Look At Nike's Winning On Air Designs

Last year, sneaker fanatics were challenged to visualise unique Air Max designs inspired by their cities and local culture at On Air workshops based in New York, London, Seoul, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

A talented winner from each capital was then selected from hundreds of entrants to represent their hometowns, gaining the once in a lifetime opportunity to create their sneakers with Nike.

After much anticipation, the designs, which are set for an April release, have just been finalised and unveiled.

From Jasmine Lasode's British summer influenced Air Max 97, to Lou Matheron's deconstructed Parisian Air VaporMax Plus, these imaginative silhouettes fuse street style and art for a one of a kind aesthetic.

Take a closer look at each pair below and stay tuned for more updates ahead of Nike's spring launch.

Nike Air Max 98 La Mezcla, by Gabrielle Serrano

Designed to pay homage to the diverse races, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds exhibited by New Yorkers, Serrano's Air Max 98 features a beautiful gradient and vibrant detailing to represent the people that make the city so special.

Nike Air Max 97 “Seoul” by Gwang Shin

Illuminated with neon highlights inspired by his city's bright signs, Shin's rendition of the Air Max 97 features a bold colourway and contours inspired by the Taeguk symbol on Seoul's flag.

Nike Air Max 97 “London Summer Of Love” by Jasmine Lasode

Decorated with Primrose Hill's glorious summer days in mind, Lasode reflects on a first date that she spent at one of London's most stunning viewpoints with her Air Max 97 design.

Nike Air Max 1 “Tokyo Maze” by Yuta Takuman

Takuman's rainbow laced Air Max 1 showcases Tokyo's tube lines which travel beneath the city, while a patterned leather upper symbolises its concrete surfaces. To complete the look, a red bubble is present in the midsole to honour the Tokyo Tower.

Nike Air VaporMax Plus Paris “Works in Progress” by Lou Matheron

Matheron was inspired by images of an under-construction courthouse for her Air VaporMax Plus design. The colours and materials utilised on the Parisian building site adorn the sneaker.

Nike Air Max 97 “SH Kaleidoscope” by Cash Ru

Arriving as an artistic interpretation of Shanghai's cloudy skies, Ru's Air Max 97 is crafted with layers of translucent blue uppers to represent the elements.