In the fashion world, few brands have made such a lasting impact as Nike. It all started in 1964 when Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman founded Blue Ribbon Sports, later renamed Nike in 1971. Since then, the brand has created iconic silhouettes that remain incredibly popular to this day. Take, for example, the Nike Cortez, first released in 1972, or the Nike Blazer, which debuted a year later. You can still see people wearing these Nike classics all around the world.
In this article, we delve deeper into the Nike Cortez, Nike Blazer, and Nike Air Force 1, three iconic sneakers that have stood the test of time and still hold a special place in the hearts of sneaker enthusiasts worldwide, even after all these years.
Nike Cortez
Nike Cortez history
The Nike Cortez was originally released under the name 'Aztec' as a tribute to the Meso-Americans who originally inhabited the area that eventually became Mexico. However, the name had to be changed because an adidas sneaker already had a similar name: the 'Azteca Gold'. As a nod to adidas and the history of the Aztecs, Nike renamed the shoe after Hernán Cortés, the man who conquered the Aztecs and took their capital city of Tenochtitlan.
The silhouette was released during the Olympic Games in Mexico and was a great success due to its advanced design and technology, which helped propel Nike towards becoming the sneaker giant we know today. It was such a huge success that it led to numerous stock and delivery issues.
Nike Cortez as we know it today
To this day, Nike has designed over 700 colorways for the Cortez and the sneaker has witnessed impressive collaborations with the likes of Bella Hadid, Kendrick Lamar, and the Netflix series Stranger Things. It was also the sneaker worn in Forrest Gump, and Whitney Houston wore the Cortez when she sang the national anthem during the 1991 Super Bowl.
Nike Cortez colorways
Are you curious to see which Nike Cortez classics are available for purchase today? Below, we have listed a few for you. If you want to view all the colorways, click on the button!
Nike Blazer
Nike Blazer history
After the Nike Cortez, the Nike Blazer emerged. The Blazer had been on the market for a few years, but it gained significant popularity in 1977 when George Gervin became the first NBA player to promote the shoe. Gervin, nicknamed 'The Iceman', was one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his association with the Blazer helped elevate the shoe's popularity.
With the introduction of the Nike Air Jordan in 1985, the Nike Blazer was overshadowed and lost many of its fans. However, the silhouette found a new audience in the skateboarding world. In 2005, Nike approached Paul Rodriguez to redesign the sneaker, officially transforming the Blazer into a skate shoe.
Nike Blazer as we know it today
The Nike Blazer has seen numerous collaborations, contributing to its current popularity. In 2018, Nike partnered with Stüssy to create a unique version of the Blazer. Additionally, Virgil Abloh unleashed his creativity on the silhouette, introducing various colorways and even a special edition for Serena Williams.
Nike Blazer colorways
Curious about the current colorways? We've put together a selection for you. Click the button to see the full range!
Nike Air Force 1
Nike Air Force 1 history
In 1982, Nike introduced the Nike Air Force 1, paying homage to the President's aircraft, 'Air Force One'. It was the first basketball sneaker to feature air cushioning in the sole and was released in six exclusive colors, specifically for 'The Original Six', inspired by the colors of their respective teams and personal taste. 'The Original Six' included basketball stars like Moses Malone, Bobby Jones, and Jammal Wilkes, who wore this iconic silhouette on the court.
In 1983, Nike introduced a low-top version of the shoe to appeal to a broader audience beyond pure athletic performance. Despite the sustained high demand for the shoes, Nike decided to discontinue production of the sneaker in 1984.
Until the silhouette was revived with the initiative of three Baltimore retailers, who introduced the 'Color of the Month' collection. These exclusive shoes made the city a destination for sneaker lovers. As a result of this success, Nike decided to continue production of the Air Force 1 on a larger scale.
Nike Air Force 1 as we know it today
The Air Force 1 has seen a huge rise in popularity since the 2000s, thanks partly to the fact that well-known rappers and artists worldwide started wearing the silhouette. This has made the shoe evolve into a cultural icon as we know it today. With its 40th anniversary, it is now impossible to imagine the streets without the Air Force 1.
Nike Air Force 1 colorways
Would you like to discover the latest colorways? We've put together a selection for you. Click the button below to see the full range!
Timeless Nike classics
In this article, we have discussed some timeless Nike classics such as the Air Force 1, but of course there are many more iconic models to explore. Think of the Air Jordan and Air Max 1, for example. If you want to know more about these sneakers, stay tuned, as we will soon dedicate another article to these classics and their influence on the sneaker world.
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