Leading up to the launch of the highly anticipated Nike sneakers x sacai VaporWaffle, we take a look at the relationship between the Japan-based high fashion label and the American athletic supergiant.
While many have come to know of the partnership through their hit double-edged mashup of two late-'70s Nike silhouettes, the LDV and Waffle Racer, at SS19 Paris Fashion Week more than two years ago, their collaboration began a few years back.
Chitose Abe, founder of sacai, launched her career as a patternmaker for COMME des GARÇONS, working with the likes of Rei Kawakubo and Junya Watanabe until founding her own label in 1998.
Nike had already worked with COMME des GARÇONS on a number of shoes and in 2015, the Swoosh had teamed up with Chitose Abe and a now-established sacai on a NikeLab collaboration. The first venture between Abe and the Oregon based sportswear giant saw sacai remix a classic silhouette and redesign athletic staples, including a slip-on Air Max 90 alongside track jackets, sweatsuits and running gear. Abe created pieces that used lace, fishnet fabric and frill details, using what came to be known as her signature style of ‘splicing’ different materials to create something bigger than the sum of its parts.
What followed was what made rounds on the internet via the Parisian runway in June 2018. The LDWaffle is a clever hybrid of new and old, and was shown with an accompanying Blazer, both of which eventually dropped in May 2019, easily establishing itself as one of the most anticipated footwear releases that year.
The same technical precision complemented by a distinct creative vision carries on in the Nike sneakers x sacai VaporWaffle. Combining the innovative Vaporfly with the classic Pegasus from 1983, the Nike x sacai VaporWaffle doubles up on the details, merging the past and future of Running, and further developing the harmony of the two label’s brand ethos into one unique silhouette.
The Nike x sacai VaporWaffle will be exclusively available via raffle at commonwealth-ftgg.ph. Look out for more details via our social media pages on the full mechanics.