For the 3rd representation for the US on Nike’s special Air Force 1 1World Collection, it partnered with the multi-talented musician Ahmir Thompson, better known as ?uestlove (Questlove). Hailed from the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, the drummer, DJ, producer, and founding member of the influential band, The Roots, of which ushered in a new form of hip-hop genre.
Working closely with Nike Sportswear Design Director, Jesse Leyva, ?uestlove created a blaring design green and red colorways. To further enhance its contrast, an additional elephant skin/concrete pattern was embossed on the green portion of the upper and mid-sole. The raucous graphic is by design an extension of ?uestlove’s larger-than-life personality, as the artist stated “I just wanted to start off with a very loud statement, a sneaker that sort of has 12 exclamation points behind it. Something that just screams “Rahhhhrr” so you know, this is an extension of my personality. The inside (of the shoe) is of me drumming. Yeah, inside art is very important to me. Even though you’re the only person that sees it from a consumer standpoint but, I sorta know you put a lot of work into it as a designer based on how your shoe is designed on the sole.”
As with any other 1WORLD products, the Nike x ?uestlove – 1WORLD – Air Force 1 Air Questo will be available a very few selected retailers, starting with ALIFE in NYC on August 1st, UBIQ of Philadelphia on August 5th, NSW @ The Montalban in Los Angeles on August 6th, and the rest on August 16th. via Freshness
More photos after the jump…