Last year, Nike invited locals in New York City, London, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo to design their own Nike Air Max inspired by the uniqueness of their communities. From these “On Air” workshops, 18 finalists were chosen based on the creative executions of their designs. The public then voted on six winners, one per city, which included Lou Matheron from Paris.

Matheron, a photographer, chose the Air VaporMax Plus and was inspired by the “works-in-progress” nature of construction in Paris.

 “There are so many wonderful buildings and places in my city, which is always moving and evolving,”she says. “I wanted the shoe to be fun and playful, that’s why you can switch the Swoosh and wear the strap or not like a shoe under construction.”

The impact of the project isn’t lost on Matheron. “It’s incredible to think that I just designed a shoe for one of the biggest brands in the world,”she says. “I kept thinking, ‘Is this really happening to me?’ It gave me a lot of confidence for my future, as I realized that anything is possible, and you shouldn’t stay in your comfort zone.”

For Matheron, the benefit of an experience like “On Air” is also about expanding one’s horizons. “‘On Air’ truly opened my perspective and allowed me to meet incredible people and travel,”she says. “I was truly amazed by how much support I received. This experience brought me new professional opportunities but also broadened my state of mind.”

The Nike Air VaporMax Plus By Lou Matheron is Now Available online and Footpatrol Paris. Sizes range from UK6 – UK12 (including half sizes), priced at £190. (225€)