2022 is a special year for the Air Max family. Not only are we celebrating Air Max Day again in a physical way, but also because the design of the shoe that revolutionised fashion and sports forever is 35 years old. Of course, we’re talking about the first in the series, the Air Max 1.
For any self-respecting sneakerhead, the “Nike Air Max” concept means much more than iconic technology applied to a series of equally iconic and legendary models. The Air Max family – with the Air Max 1 designed by Tinker Hatfield at the forefront -awakened the passion for trainers in millions of people. A true revolution that celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2022.
35 years of inspiration. 35 years of evolution. 35 years of groundbreaking design.
When Tinker Hatfield unveiled the inside of the already revolutionary AIR technology in 1987, he didn’t know he was causing a stir that has lasted to this day. The first shoe to feature the air unit encapsulated in the midsole through a window or “bubble” was the Air Max 1, and it was such a success that it was followed by many more.
Today, 35 years later and with a family so large that it is almost impossible to list all its members, it was necessary to do something special to celebrate Air Max Day on 24 April. And with the bonus that, after two very turbulent and complicated years, we could finally celebrate it as it deserves: live and in person.
An iconic city for a legendary design
If there is one city in our country that exudes design on all four sides, it is Barcelona. With a very long tradition behind it that includes the founding of the first school dedicated to the training of professional illustrators, the Llotja (in 1775!), and hosting of the Universal Exhibition in 1988, the city has been a world exponent of art nouveau and the birthplace of modernism, the trend that transcended artistic boundaries to advocate a radical transformation of urban spaces and, by extension, of life in the city.
In the spirit of a city so intimately linked to design in all its forms, we decided to team up with the best school of all: the Barcelona headquarters of the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED), a true benchmark in the teaching of design and the arts in all their forms, to make the invisible visible and to breathe some fresh air into our community.
Celebrating “bubbles” in style
On 24 March, IED design students were able to learn from experts such as Rubén Pulido, Jumi, Justo Heras, and Gennico Guido all about Air Max technology and its impact not only on the world of fashion but also on its importance in popular culture.
After the presentations, the students were able to roll up their sleeves and throw themselves into the creation of their own Air Max 1 prototype inspired by the city of Barcelona, putting all their efforts into it and demonstrating why they are part of one of the most prestigious design schools in the world.
We wanted to treat our community to two other unique and special experiences in the afternoon. In the first one, 35 attendees had the opportunity to participate in the raffle to get the exclusive -and highly desirable- Nike x CNCPTS Air Max 1 “Heavy” before anyone else. Afterward, local DJ and selector Flaviolous made attendees and organizers dance and “burn the soles” in a day hard to forget.
Give a breath of fresh air to all your looks with the selection of Air Max shoes we have at FOOTDISTRICT.