A Graffiti OG's Ultra-Rare Nike Sneakers Are Reborn Anew
The news is official. Stash, a legend in the New York graffiti and streetwear scene, is bringing back two of his grailed Nike sneakers originally released in 2006: the Nike x Stash Air Force 1 and Air Max 95.
Prized possessions for many sneaker collectors, that can fetch over $60k on the second-hand market, the blue-colored shoes return on December 13 to celebrate over 20 years of a pioneering partnership — Stash was the first artist to officially put his spin on a Nike silhouette.
But this release is also indicative of both partners’ business plans.
On the one side, it confirms Stash is looking to break back into the streetwear scene he was influential in shaping. Alongside this sneaker release, the artist recently revived his iconic ‘90s streetwear brand Subware. And on the other side, it shows that once again Nike is happy to rely on the classics.
Of course, Nike has always brought hyped sneakers back to the market for limited-edition rereleases (just look at how many times the Jordan 1 Bred has been resurrected) but it’s currently happening at an unprecedented frequency.
This year has seen the Wu-Tang Dunk, the holy grail of sneakers for many, a shoe so limited that reportedly only 36 were originally made in 1999, remade and put for sale online.
Meanwhile, there are rumors that next year will see the return of the Nike x Playstation Air Force 1, the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4, and Tom Sachs, a designer the company cut ties with only a year ago, is back to create another of his popular Mars Yard shoes.
Not to forget other hyped shoes from bygone years, such as Patta and Nike’s Chloroform Air Max 1 and the OG Sunset Air Max Plus, that recently returned.
No rare Nike gem is safe from being revived.
While there have been calls for Nike to be more innovative in the face of its widely reported dubious financial situation, by bringing back some of its most iconic shoes to the market, Nike is reminding everyone of its inimitable legacy.
And who can blame Nike? No other sneaker brand has archival grails like it.
