August 7, 2018

There is no denying it—Nike x OFF-WHITE is probably the hottest collaboration right now and there are no signs of it slowing down. The original run of The Ten just concluded with the much-delayed release of the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Hi, yet we are still getting a steady stream of new colourways, with the recent release of the OFF-WHITE Nike Air Prestos in a full black and full white colourway.

Armed with an X-ACTO Knife, commonly used by craftsmen and artists, Virgil Abloh started cutting open iconic silhouettes to deconstruct each sneaker—analysing every single detail that has gone into its creation. Despite the challenge to redesign successful existing models, the hottest man in fashion right now appears to have a Midas touch, and we can’t wait for the others to drop. 

For now, here are our current top favourites that stand out. 

OFF-WHITE Air Jordan 1 “Chicago”

The Air Jordan 1 is arguably the most iconic shoe out there, and it has been a dream come true for Virgil to work on it as his childhood hero was Michael Jordan. Although the colours are exactly the same as the original, the use of the subtle pop of orange as well as the “cut and sewn” treatment has breathed new life into this timeless design.

OFF-WHITE Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Hi

How do you reinvent a classic design that has been around for almost a century? It is unmistakably a classic all-white Chuck Taylor, but the difference lies in the see-through fabric and the quotation marks all around the shoe. Simplicity doesn’t get any better than this. 

OFF-WHITE Nike Air VaporMax

The release of the Nike Air VaporMax could very well be the future of sneaker technology. And Virgil stamped his mark by taking the perforated tongue from an old Nike runner and slapping it onto the VaporMax—creating a clever juxtaposition.

OFF-WHITE Nike Blazer Mid

Other than the standard written text and a “cut and sewn” look that has become an OFF-WHITE signature, Virgil went with a brazen, oversized Nike Swoosh that bleeds into the midsole. It isn’t a big change, but it certainly grabs your attention.

OFF-WHITE Nike Air Presto

The Air Presto does not have the most iconic silhouette in the entire lineup, but Virgil has managed to retain the midfoot cage and sole that are prominent features of the shoe, yet at the same time, add an “Air” strap to the heel. This ruggedised design fits into the brutalist theme and tech-wear trend perfectly.


Image credit: Nike