After various rounds of teaser images, early previews, and even sightings in runway shows, the initial release of the Kith x Nike Take Flight Collection featuring Ronnie Fieg’s new interpretation of the Air Maestro 2 is finally officially unveiled with full release information. The modified version of the 1994 Nike hoops shoe was tweaked by Fieg and Co. to reflect his own modern sneaker aesthetics, with additions including asymmetrical lacing, an added zipper enclosure, a higher cut with ankle straps, and a small Swoosh added to the toe.
The Maestro 2 was a workhorse basketball shoe worn by players from every level of play at its time, including multiple stars in the NBA. Everybody from Gary Payton to Shawn Bradley laced them up, but the Maestro is most closely associated with Scottie Pippen who famously wore a bright red pair for the 1994 NBA All-Star Game—long before vibrant sneakers for the annual event were commonplace. Pippen took home MVP honors for the game, proving he was still an elite player without the help of Michael Jordan, who was temporarily retired during that 1993-94 season.
Kith and Fieg have chosen Scottie Pippen for inspiration for the debut two-colorway set of his Maestro 2, featuring one purple nubuck version as a tribute to Pippen’s college days at the small school of the University of Central Arkansas, while the second replicates the famous red All-Star colorway.
Both colorways of the Kith x Nike Air Maestro 2 High release this Friday, September 29th exclusively at all Kith shops and at 11AM EST on Kith.com. Retail price is $190 each, and both models will not be sold “anywhere else ever”, according to Kith.
KITH x Nike Air Maestro 2 High
Release Date: September 29th, 2017
$190