Les Canaux

Date: April 2020

Nike Air Max 1 ‘Amsterdam’ Print (personal work), in 40x50cm size.
Illustration made for the ‘City Pack’ release, in March 2020.

The Air Max 1 has been around for over thirty years. With its vibrant history and ongoing evolvement there are countless stories to be told about the shoe and its journey over the past three decades. From Tinker Hatfield’s innovative design back in 1987 to its intercontinental cultural impact, all the way into 2020 where a brand new City Pack now comes to life. The pack honours two of Europe’s most influential Air Max cities, London and Amsterdam. [H/T Nike SNEAKRS]

Behind the Design:

Amsterdam is known for its beautiful canals, bridges and iconic brick buildings. Elements like them form the basis for the Air Max 1 ‘Amsterdam’ design. The city’s subtle colour palette is echoed in its brown and brick tonal elements, whereas the dark green Swoosh takes its colour from the traditional doors and windowframes found throughout the city.

The three St Andrew’s crosses that make up the city’s coat of arms (the popular legend tells that these crosses represent the three dangers of Old Amsterdam: fire,
floods and the Black Death) stand out in bright red on subtle suede. A premium leather side panel and a corduroy reference to its iconic predecessors, the AM1 ‘Amsterdam’ is a mature vision of a classic.