Nike Sportswear partnered with New York designer Steven Alan to inject four signature Nike styles with Alan’s autograph “classic with a twist” aesthetic. Having earned an international reputation updating traditional garments with unexpected modern elements, the designer applied a similar approach to the Nike Sportswear x Steven Alan partnership, using exclusive colorways, fabrications, and modern tooling.
Visiting the Nike archives, Alan was drawn to the Air Zoom Toki, Air Max Talache Low AC, Air Zoom Lava Dome, and Air Zoom Magma AC. He then stripped each performance-based style down to its basic form before adding his famous detailed sensibility.
Explaining the results, Alan says, “It’s really about the user—the functionality is super key for a sneaker. I’m a little lazy when it comes to lacing up sneakers, so a lot of the designs have little things that allow you to pull them on and off without re-lacing. Also a lot of it is using materials that are going to age well.”
These materials consist of premium suede and canvas materials in minimalist urban tones ranging from grey, black, and white to caramel, dark cinder, and obsidian. Avant-garde elements come courtesy of nuances like the innovative Dynamic Fit ankle insert found on the Air Zoom Toki x Nike Sportswear x Steven Alan, the pops of color placed on the Air Zoom Lava Dome x Nike Sportswear x Steven Alan, and the unique side-ankle zip that complements the Air Zoom Magma x Nike Sportswear x Steven Alan.
Steven Alan is considered to be a fixture in the New York City menswear design scene since his first collection. His attention to detail, use of premium materials, and consumer-focused design makes a partnership with Nike a natural fit.
For his part, Alan noted, “Nike is a company I’ve always looked to in terms of being one of the big innovators. They really push the limits in terms of what they are doing, and it’s always interesting to be able to incorporate the latest technology and make stuff happen. With Nike, anything is possible.“
Nike Sportswear x Steven Alan footwear will be available exclusively at Steven Alan locations nationwide and www.stevenalan.com starting January 20th, 2011.