Originally sketched up in 1987, the Air Max 1, designed by Tinker Hatfield, was the first time Nike had ventured into visible Air cushioning on a trainer.

Previously an architect for Nike, Tinker became inspired by the Pompidou Centre in Paris, a building famous for being built inside out. This vision was the starting point for what was to become the Air Max 1. The idea was to make the inner workings of the Air units – which had already been in use with Nike since 1979 – visible. 

This latest edition recalls those original sketches and looks back to the process from sketching to being shelved. The ‘Sketch to Shelf’ features several handwritten details which describe areas of the trainer that needed to be looked at, redesigned or were ready to go.

Special patterns are visible throughout this edition, mainly the scribbled colour blocks that pay homage to the original University Red colourway from 1987. Other details include the loss of the branding on the rear of the right shoe, which has been replaced with a handwritten date and signature from Tinker Hatfield. Sticking with the approach of this being an item of process, the inside reads ‘Sketch, property of Nike, not for resale’.

Now available in-store and online in limited quantities.