Nike

As a part of Nikes 2008 1World campaign, Nike partnered with Questlove - drummer and co-founder of Philadelphia band The Roots - on a hyper limited Air Force 1 design. Questlove, alongside 17 other artists, including Kaws, Thoma Marecki, and Busy P, were brought together to release specially designed takes on the famous Nike Air Force 1 silhouette. 

Released at three in-store locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, there were rumored to be a total of 300 Questlove Air Force 1’s made available. The pair itself is dressed in a contrasting palette of red leather and a unique green elephant print. The mixed-material Red Toe box matches the heel panels whereas the midsole, lace lock, and side panels are in the shocking green elephant print. The heel tab is in vibrant green, and the Swoosh is in gold. Unique designs include an embossed Questlove silhouette on the lateral heels, the same silhouette on the left tongue tag, and a graphic of him drumming on the insoles. 

The Air Force 1, arguably Nike’s most iconic sneaker, is in many regards, the first of its kind. Previously realized in running shoes, the introduction of Nike’s ‘Air’ technology in the midsole was a revolutionary concept for basketball sneakers. Tasked with bringing the concept to life, designer Bruce Kilgore and an aerospace engineer brought the project to fruition with a hiking boot inspired, ankle strapped, high top. Kilgore’s first basketball sneaker, the Air Force 1 was brought to market in 1982.