Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight ideated the Nike Cortez ahead of the 1972 Olympics in West Germany. Since then, the Nike Cortez has ascended to unimaginable heights thanks to its adoption by street and pop-culture alike. The Swoosh has plans for the Cortez’s 50th anniversary with the help of the one and only Chitose Abe and her sacai label.
Within the last few years, the sacai x Nike partnership has delivered on the LD Waffle, the Blazer, and the Vaporwaffle. The next chapter continues the tradition of Nike heritage with sacai’s elevated design elements. Previewed in the sacai FW22 Menswear collection, two versions of the sacai x Nike Cortez are on the horizon.
The classic white, red, and blue Cortez gets a modern look with layered tongues, a platform-like midsole, an extended heel clip, and a stacked Swoosh; sacai essentials. The second sacai x Nike Cortez, seen in looks 26 and 37 of the collection, will carry the same design elements with a navy and dark grey makeover with a sail midsole. The shoe’s forefoot exposes a Zoom Air unit, akin to the AlphaFly and other futuristic Nike performance running shoes. In doing so, Chitose Abe and sacai blend the core of Nike running with a contemporary execution.
A release date for the sacai x Nike Cortez collection has not been announced. However, we expect both pairs (and potentially others) to release on SNKRS and select retailers in the upcoming months.
Stay tuned to SoleSavy for more sneaker-related news from your favorite brands, including sacai and Nike.
(Images via Vogue)
