Get Up Close With the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid "Black"

On November 28th, Off-White founder and Louis Vuitton designer Virgil Abloh tragically passed away after a two-year battle with cancer. One of the most decorated figures in modern fashion, the Chicago native played a huge role in shaping the sneaker and streetwear industry. After dropping his coveted Air Jordan 2 collaboration at the end of last year, we're now taking a closer look at the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid "Black".

The late style icon went all out for his take on the Air Force 1 Mid. Just one of two colourways that were in the works, the "Black" is painted in a dark charcoal hue and is crafted from a menagerie of materials. With what looks like a Flyknit base, it's decked out in a cool wavy pattern. Ripstop panels make their way around the ankle and heel, where you'll also find a midfoot strap for the ultimate lockdown fit.

Abloh's love of deconstruction has been taken to another dimension here. With "Clear Black" see-through Nike Swooshes shooting across the lateral and medial side panels, you'll also find technical verbiage in Off-White's signature Helvetica font. Flat white laces zig-zag across the vamp similar to his Dunk Low, and rubberised spikes can be found on the bottom of the shoe in neon blue, green, and pink hues. To round it all off, the Air unit has been given a cut out so you can see the technology within, which is the opposite of what La Flame did for his Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 1.

Industry insiders tell us that collaborators like Virgil would usually have have at least two years of projects planned in advance, so we're confident that the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid "Black" will release sometime later this year alongside the "White" to celebrate the AF1's 40th anniversary. Let us know what you think of this shoe, and in related news, it looks like the Off-White x Air Jordan 4 "Bred" has been cancelled!