Summary:
- SKIMS and Nike release a three-colorway footwear collection featuring the reimagined Air Rift silhouette on January 26.
- The design features no-sew construction, enhanced heel padding, and collaborative branding on the midfoot strap.
- Available in black, tan, and brown colorways at $150 USD through Nike SNKRS and SKIMS retail channels.
Kim Kardashian extends her SKIMS brand into footwear through a partnership with Nike. The collaboration reimagines the Air Rift silhouette with design elements that reflect SKIMS' approach to comfort and simplicity.
The NikeSKIMS Rift Mesh Pack launches January 26 with three neutral colorways. Retailers include online Nike SNKRS and SKIMS. The retail price sits at $150 USD/€132.95 EURO per pair.
Nike's Air Rift gets structural updates for this release. The design team removed traditional stitching in favor of no-sew construction. The heel counter receives additional padding. These changes shift the shoe away from its athletic origins toward casual wear.
The split-toe design remains from the original Air Rift. This divisive feature separates the big toe from the other four toes. Some wearers find the separation comfortable. Others reject the unconventional look.
SKIMS branding appears on the midfoot strap alongside Nike's logo. The collaborative mark combines both brand names. Placement keeps visible branding minimal.
Three colorways comprise the initial drop. The first option pairs Archaeo Brown with Infinite Sable, Desert Dust, and Archaeo Brown accents. SKU IO7694-201 identifies this variant. The second colorway uses black with Dark Smoke Grey details under SKU IO7694-001. The third combines Velvet Brown, Dark Chocolate, and Baroque Brown as SKU IO7694-200.
Each colorway follows a monochromatic scheme. The color selections match SKIMS' typical product range. Browns, blacks, and earth tones dominate the brand's apparel lines.
Packaging receives attention in this release. Each pair comes with custom boxes and drawstring dust bags. These additions position the collaboration above standard athletic footwear releases.
The partnership follows SKIMS' previous apparel collaboration with Nike. That release featured athletic wear and undergarments. The footwear launch represents an expansion of the business relationship between both companies.
SKIMS built its business on shapewear and basics. The brand launched in 2019. Growth happened through direct-to-consumer sales and strategic partnerships. Nike provides established distribution channels and manufacturing expertise for this footwear venture.
The Air Rift dates back to 2000 as a running shoe inspired by Kenyan athletes. Nike designed the split toe to mimic barefoot running. The shoe gained attention in fashion circles during the early 2000s. Interest faded before returning in recent years as brands revisited archive designs.
This collaboration alters the Air Rift's material composition. Standard versions use technical mesh for breathability. The SKIMS version employs materials suited for lifestyle wear rather than performance running.
The $150 USD price point positions the shoe above typical Air Rift releases. Standard colorways retail between $110 and $130 USD. The premium reflects collaboration status and packaging enhancements.
Both Nike and SKIMS benefit from this partnership. Nike gains access to SKIMS' customer base. SKIMS establishes credibility in footwear through Nike's manufacturing and design resources.
Kristin Kaye
Insatiably curious about human expression, she immerses herself in literature, theater, art, and dance. Her academic journey led to degrees in Modern Literature, where she delved into The Furioso, and Historical Sciences with a focus on Contemporary History. Her studies took her to the prestigious Erasmus University Rotterdam, broadening her international perspective.
Her passion for culture isn't confined to personal enjoyment—it spills onto the pages of various publications. There, she explores not only artistic endeavors but also civil rights issues and the myriad ways human culture manifests itself. For her, writing about these topics isn't just a profession; it's an irresistible calling that stems from her deep-seated fascination with the human experience.