Words by Ikechi @kech_kicks
The Nike AF1 x AMBUSH drop comes just in time for gifting at Christmas. Just in time to send saved screen shots to the other half, the family, friend and WhatsApp group, or to add to your own personal ‘end of year & I’m bloody treating myself’ list.
AMBUSH’s founder, Yoon Ahn is amongst a handful of females making huge waves in the sneaker industry. Making female sneakers that are way more inclusive, forward thinking and appealing to present female consumer demands.
Collaborating on the Nike Air Force 1 model, (an iconic titan of a silhouette) it’s not so surprising taking on board that the AF1 celebrates 40 years in the game this year. 40 years of a staple shoe. A shoe that has become a ‘must’ silhouette to own for any new collector or sneaker enthusiast.
I remember buying my first pair, enthused, and inspired by US fashion and hip hop music, these were a US specific drop. Almost 6 pairs of colourful AF1’s later (gold & pink colourways included here lol), I finally got round to getting what has now become the stable triple white and triple blacks.
I mean how can you say you’re a Londoner enjoying summer without a pair of all white Air Forces.
Or run the streets in bleak, grey London town without a pair of all blacked out forces! Lol – we got there in the end! More additions were added (insert a few mids and all white hi’s circa the noughties Dipset and the Lox phase), and these AMBUSH collabs seem like ‘another’ great addition to a fan fav’s collection.
Dropping in two colourways which are in keeping with the Japanese designer’s gender fluid and anti ‘shrink it, pink it’ collabs she’s dropped before – there’s a ‘Game Royal’ blue and ‘Sonic’ colourway, both contrasted with a ‘Vivid Sulfur’ yellow swoosh.
For me, these colourways may not be my ultimate favourites, but I do love the fact that the swoosh on the sides extends past the heel in keeping with the Nike Dunk High ‘Deep Royal’ which were released last year. The additional heel clip with embossed AMBUSH and contrasted lace guard are all nice extra details that make the shoe pop and seem more special.
Considering that she’s now collaborated on a Dunk Hi, Air Adjust AF1 and Air Max 180 Mid, it would be great to see her and the brand work on a few athleisure silhouettes like the Nike Zoom Vomero 5, Nike Alphafly NEXT 2, or on a pair of Nike Rift’s (I predict a huge comeback here btw). Failing that, I’d take an AM1 collab too 😊. Or create an ‘anti-pink but pink’ colourway like the Shocking Pink Air Jordan 14 and Jacquemus Pink Nike Humaras, that dropped this year on an unexpected silhouette.
As for the next AF1 collab I’d love to see… hmmm, dare I say, a stop to the plethora of drops for a few years to give the silhouette a break, time for some new design refreshing and to bring back the iconic shoe’s high level of desirability? The market’s is becoming slightly too saturated I’d say.
Check out more from Ikechi on Instagram @kech_kicks
The Nike Air Force 1 x Ambush are available at Offspring Selfridges London.
