10.17.2009

Nike Sportwear 1 World AF1 by Maharam Limited Edition

Constructed of Layers, a textile created by the Maharam Design Studio in collaboration with Dutch designer Hella Jongerius. Layers is woven in Italy and embroidered in Germany; the shoe is engineered in China.
A piece of Nike heritage that has transcended sport to become an icon of style, the Air Force 1 has earned its dues over the last 26 years. Seen on the feet of ballers and shot callers both on and off the court, this is one of the most celebrated shoes in sports history. Now AF1 has evolved again by becoming an essential part of Nike Sportswear's permanent collection of eight icons that will be reinterpreted and remixed with new innovations for seasons to come.
The Nike Sportswear 1 World is a collection of AF1, created in partnership with global innovators in the fields of sport, music, art and design. Nike invited 18 innovators from across the world to re-imagine the Air Force 1. Early in the process, Nike Design selected Maharam, the 107-year-old American textile house renowned for its leadership in design innovation, to participate. Maharam's unique interpretation of the AF1 introduces a silhouette constructed of Layers, a textile created by the Maharam Design Studio in collaboration with Jongerius. Layers, produced in 100% wool felt, uses sophisticated embroidery equipment played against artisanal hand-cutting to create patterning, resulting in an "industrial craft" hybrid. This already complex textile was further engineered to meet the specific needs of the AF1. The result represents a multi-disciplinary undertaking, bridging disparate aspects of industrial design including sports technology, textile design and the conceptual avant-garde.
Layers is included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. Moss mounted a major gallery installation of Layers in May 2006.

For more info on Layers visit mossonline.com maharam.com

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