A Visual History of the Nike Air Force 1 - .@Nike

A Visual History of the Nike Air Force 1

These days, the word “icon” is casually applied to everything from online video clips to sweet potato pies. By formal definition, however, an icon is "a person who is very successful and admired” or “a widely known symbol.” The Nike Air Force 1, which debuted in 1982 and has since served as a canvas for artists and designers of all ilk, indisputably achieves the latter classification. During the decades, the AF1's iconic design has undergone subtle updates to reflect the current moment, without sacrificing its distinct DNA. In its mutability — because of it — the shoe has become a global street culture standard.