AIR AFRIQUE PARTNERS WITH NIKE FOR AVIATION-THEMED SHOE

Summary:

• Nike collaborates with cultural collective Air Afrique to create the Air Max RK61 dress shoe
• The $210 shoe features aviation-inspired details including zip-up upper and Air unit shaped like jet engines
• Two colorways launch October 9 via Nike SNKRS, honoring the defunct Pan-African airline Air Afrique

Nike partners with cultural collective Air Afrique for a new shoe design that honors African aviation history. The collaboration produces the Air Max RK61, a hybrid dress shoe combining athletic elements with formal styling.

Air Afrique, a collective focused on Afro-diasporic arts, draws inspiration from the defunct Pan-African airline of the same name. The original Air Afrique operated from 1961 until 2002, connecting newly independent African nations.

The Air Max RK61 merges sport and formal wear through a zip-up upper design borrowed from the Air Max Sunder. Nike offers two colorways: Coconut Milk and Black monochromatic options. The shoe construction places this upper on a dress shoe sole equipped with Air cushioning technology.

Aviation details appear throughout the design. The Air unit shape references jet engines. A zipper pull displays the Air Afrique logo. The sockliner features jacquard fabric inspired by vintage aircraft seating. Morse code spelling "Air Afrique" runs along the outsole.

The shoe name connects to the original airline's flight code RK and founding year 1961. This creates the RK61 designation.

Air Afrique member Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam, who works as a magazine editor, explains the design philosophy. He notes how the original airline connected cultures across newly independent African nations. The collective views "Air" as both literal flight and symbolic elevation through culture.

This perspective shaped the shoe's elegant silhouette. The design team focused on creating something that honored both aviation history and cultural significance.

Nike prices the Air Max RK61 at $210. The shoes launch October 9 through Nike SNKRS and select retail partners. Both colorways release simultaneously worldwide.

The collaboration marks another partnership between Nike and culturally focused collectives. These projects often blend athletic performance with artistic expression and historical references.

Air Afrique continues its mission to celebrate and preserve Afro-diasporic cultural contributions. The Nike partnership provides a platform to share the story of Pan-African aviation history with a broader audience.

The dress shoe format represents an unusual choice for Air Max technology. Most Air Max releases focus on athletic or casual sneaker designs. This formal approach expands the technology's application.

Buyers interested in the Air Max RK61 should prepare for October 9. Nike SNKRS typically uses a lottery system for limited releases. Select retail partners will also stock both colorways.