Virgil Abloh's Legacy Continues with the 'Sesame' Air Force 1, But Something's Different

It has been a while since we’ve seen a new Virgil Abloh and Nike collaboration. Since his passing in 2021, the world has mourned the great designer's absence while celebrating his life and legacy. His work lives on through a new Nike release, which is scheduled to drop soon. While it shares many similarities with the Off-White sneakers we admired, it's missing one particular detail.

Official images of the Virgil Abloh x Nike Air Force 1 'Sesame' have just appeared, showing a surprising change to this long awaited sneaker. The initial public display of the sneaker happened at the “Virgil Abloh: The Codes c/o Architecture” exhibition, which took place in 2022 at Miami's Rubell Museum. That exhibition showcased some of Abloh's most memorable sneakers while also pulling back the curtain on pairs he had been working on before his death.

The 'Sesame' was one of those projects, originally planned for an exclusive Qatar release that never happened. Now, three years later, the sneaker is finally here. By the way, don’t forget to download The Sole Supplier app if you want to stay on top of all the hottest sneaker drops like these.

The shoe has the designer's well known elements: a shiny metallic silver Swoosh stitched onto the sides, exposed seams, and the word “AIR” stamped on the midsole. The unmistakable zip tie, a signature Off-White detail, completes the package. Yet, something is missing. The official images show a significant change: the 'Sesame' has no Off-White branding anywhere on the shoe or the box.

This seemingly minor change is the reason the shoe is officially called the Virgil Abloh x Nike Air Force 1 instead of an Off-White collaboration. Nike has never released one of Abloh's designs without the Off-White brand attached. This could signal a new phase for his enduring legacy.

Rumours have been circulating that more of Abloh’s designs may drop, including a re release of the Air Jordan 1 High OG 'Alaska'. This new 'Sesame' Air Force 1 feels less like a one time tribute and more like a first step in an ongoing partnership between Nike and Virgil’s lasting influence.

The Virgil Abloh x Nike Air Force 1 'Sesame' will be available this fall at Off-White, Nike, the SNKRS app, and some other retailers. What do you think this branding change means for Abloh's legacy? Will you be trying to grab a pair?

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