Eco-friendly, sustainable choices have been an explicit focus of the brand for quite some time. Nike have brought the popular Air Max back to the market in a unique way in their 'Plant Based' pack. Designer Sergio Lozano proves that sustainable sneakers can look super stylish. The Nike Floral Pack includes gorgeous Air Max silhouettes in navy, pink, ecru and beige.
Nike's plant-based package consists of a variety of shoes that honour natural sources of dyes and various sustainable fabrics. You can clearly see that all the sneakers are modelled on plant life. The sole of the kicks, for example, is reminiscent of earth and the plant embroidered on the tongue significantly characterises the pack.
Fig 1. Indigofera Tinctoria
This AF1 'Indigo' looks very similar to the AF1 07 LV8 'Light Indigo' (CZ0338-100). But this version here is different. Like all the other sneakers in the pack and just like the Nike Blazer 77 GS Floral Pack 'White', the upper is made of canvas and cork details.
The plant is not seen on the tongue in these kicks, but on the sidewall. Its official name is Indigofera Tinctoria, also known as true indigo. The shoe is now available for resell from around €70-100.
The Nike Blazer 77 GS Floral Pack 'White' is also now available for resell, from around €60.
From Catechu Inspires: Fig.2
This AF1 'Catechu' is also made from lightweight canvas material and is dominated by the colour white, while the pink and brown tones create a nice contrast. The swooshes, the branding on the tongue and the upper heel area have been kept in the colour 'Light Sienna'. It is available for resell from around €70-100.
The Nike Blazer Mid'77 Catechu also presents a subtle colour scheme across its canvas and rubber construction. Underfoot, a herringbone tread in brown completes the flora look.
The Indian acacia tree, also known for its catechu extract, is embroidered on the side of the heel. The right heel tab also features the scientific name of the plant, its place of origin and use. It's currently available at Asphaltgold for around €100, or for resell at a slightly higher price.
Pomegranate is the inspiration for Fig. 3
The scientific name of the pomegranate, its intended use and its habitat are also described on the heel of these variants. This sets the stage for the full-colour embroidery that adorns the tongue.
In contrast to the previous kicks, the upper is made of black coloured canvas and white laces and midsole provide an appealing overall look, while the recycled rubber makes the shoes sustainable. The Nike DayBreak Floral Pack 'Black' is available for resell between €80-130.
The Nike Blazer 77 Floral Pack 'Black' is available for resell between €120-180.
Himalayan Rhubarb: Fig. 4
Also part of the pack is the AF1 'Himalayan Rhubarb'. The plant is normally used to dye garments in a yellowish to brownish hue, which is why the shoe is also in this colorway. Leaf-like details are embroidered on the heel, while a small fact sheet of the plant is printed above the Nike Air logo on the heel. The sneaker is available for resell between €120-160.
Fig. 5 Cork
The Air Max 'Cork' is seen here in a navy blue colorway that has a denim look. Accordingly, the typical layering of the AM95 is also a mix of canvas and cork. In contrast, the bronze-coloured stitching provides a nice contrast, which is normally also known from denim clothing.
These Air Max are reminiscent of a balmy late summer and you can almost feel the wind gently brushing through the wheat fields. Here too, an embroidered plant is emblazoned on the tongue, again symbolising closeness to nature.
The details on the lacing system and outsole are designed with a cork analogue, just like the other designs. As with the other Air Max silhouettes, the midsole has no plant-inspired elements and is kept simple in white.
Unlike the previous two models, this look is even more spring-like with a light pink colorway all over the sneaker. Both the heel and the Swoosh are made of cork and have colourful and abstract speckles incorporated.
The only colour differences are the ochre mesh lining, the white midsole and the green plant embroidery on the tongue.
Fig. 6: Pagoda
Unlike its brother in Fig. 3, this shoe is predominantly dressed in white, but also features the embroidered plant on the tongue. Elsewhere, the modernised Runner also boasts grey canvas on the swooshes and upper heel counter, the latter displaying information about the shoe's muse as usual. Very evident here again are the nature-inspired cork details on the back and on the outsole with a waffle pattern.
