Bringing together Joburg’s thriving sneaker community to celebrate Nike’s most successful and recognisable silhouettes of all time, Air Max Day (celebrated worldwide on March 26, the day the original was released over 30 years ago), gave sneakerheads everything they had hoped for; ultra-rare, highly coveted, and retro styles.
Comprising three segments – breathtaking exhibition, meaningful chats around inspiration, enablement and how digital is influencing sneaker culture, not to mention the mother of all sneakerheads after parties – the day long celebration saw a host of young visionary talents and augmented reality pioneers passionately demonstrate their creative flair as they celebrated everything Nike Air Max with youthful chutzpah and swag.
In addition to releasing a series of new Nike Air Max styles, the iconic sneaker brand launched an action-packed day with creative workshops and special guest appearances by multidisciplinary artists such as Githian Coopoo, Natalie PNG, Sandile Mhlongo, Sibot, Talia Ramkilawan, Tammi Mbambo and Xopher Wallace.
Nike Open Air Prize Art Winner crowned
Online sneaker store Archive invited aspiring artists (check a recap of some of top favourite submissions here) to share their unique vision of the future of Nike Air on the day. Once again, the seven chosen finalists did not disappoint as they unleashed their creative flair, proving once again why Nike has earned its place as symbol of street culture.
In the end, it was the Johannesburg-based digital artist Tavongaishe Chikwanda who won the hearts of the judges, taking home R100, 000 cash prize boost towards his flourishing career as a digital creator.
*For more stories on South African sneaker culture from our gallery, click here.
