Nike Air Force 1 Low x NOCTA

This Nike Air Force 1 Low x NOCTA was made in collaboration with Canadian rapper Drake. While the triple-white aesthetic gives it an elegant, classic charm, Drake’s creative ideas have brought a series of captivating details to the AF1. The inspiration for these fine elements is a children’s book called “Love You Forever”, which was the music artist’s favourite when he was a young child. In homage to this book and the feeling behind its words, Nike has made a rare change to the composition of its Air midsole as Air lettering is embossed onto the medial side of its heel instead of the lateral flank, where the name of the book now appears in a dynamic cursive script. The outsole too has received a subtle alteration – while the ringed grip lines still cover its underside, and lugs stretch along its edges, the star shapes in the toe and heel have been switched out for delicate heart shapes.

Meanwhile, on the upper, premium tumbled leather makes up the various panels across its surface, from the midfoot to the overlays in the forefoot and heel. The eyestay, swooshes and heel panel feature the same high-quality material, and a splash of silver can be seen at the bottom of the white laces, where a shiny lace dubrae etched with AF1 text lies. The shoe comes with alphabetical beads that can be used to customise the dubrae, below which sits another distinctive detail – the variegated perforations in the toe box. Instead of having a uniform size, they alternate between small and large openings.

Elsewhere, the white theme continues on the tongue, which is made of soft, padded fabric and has a patch with white Nike branding just about visible on its surface. The rest of the branding on this sneaker also has its own alternative look, with Nike Air text on the heel panel of the right foot and the NOCTA emblem embroidered into the left. While the inner lining of the sneaker is white, the insole comes in a satisfying Cobalt Blue, with the NOCTA logo and name alongside a Nike swoosh in white concluding the design in honour of the partnership.