Italian fashion designer Riccardo Tisci has teamed up with Nike for another collaborative sneaker called the Air Zoom Legend (or the Chelsea Chukka depending on who you ask), which originally released exclusively at NikeLab 21 Mercer in New York City last Friday, November 11th. Although, a wider release will reportedly take place later this year.
This laceless $350 high-top sneaker comes dressed in black mesh with hits of pink, yellow and turquoise on the heel accompanying the familiar R.T. branding.
Speaking with Vogue, Tisci said:
“We chose this shoe because its story is so closely linked to the nineties as a symbol of youth culture and street style,” Tisci told Vogue.com via email.
“This style was a street icon at the time. Its story revolves around sports, movement, life by the ocean, and the energy that comes from this lifestyle. That freedom and optimism define my state of mind. I had already worked with the world of surfing, so I feel close to this idea. Together with Nike we decided to redesign this shoe when I was working on my NikeLab x RT: Training Redefined collection before the Olympics.”
“The rubber heel and sole are very Nike but with a new interpretation inspired by a futuristic take on Brazil, waves, and movement. The front side is more classic, a sort of opposite of sports. Chelsea boots are my obsession in the male wardrobe. This is a strong shoe with a dual contrast and an experimental style. And the heel had to be important–its aesthetic has always represented strength since ancient Greece, where Achilles’s heel represented the human male force.”
Riccardo Tisci also stated that he's open to "working with all kinds of Nike pieces" so except more RT x Nike joints in the near future.
