The newest Nike shoes designed by Tinker Hatfield released today on size? website celebrates UK’s garage and grime music scene in the 90s and 00s. The Air Max 90 was originally released in 1990 and has remained popular among general consumers and sneaker collectors. Nike has taken inspiration from pirate radio stations and their subcultures to create two different models of Nike Air Max 90 ‘Grime/Garage’ where every detail of the design pay homage to the nostalgic scene of garage and grime.
In an interview with Footpatrol, garage DJ Champion notes that the Air Max 90 brings back memories, saying: “My first experience of the Air Max 90 would have been during school. The outfit of choice was a black school blazer, black trousers and white shirt with triple black Air Maxes. Everyone in school had them.”
The new Nike Air Max 90 is available in white and blue. The white trainers have a sleek gold Swoosh across the sidewall and a golden lace tag saying ‘NIKE AIRMAX’. The blue trainers are more vibrant with hues of blue, red and grey all over the design to represent the broadcaster’s British backgrounds with grey embroidered Swooshes on the sidewalls. Both pairs of trainers are leather with Max Air cushioning and feature the same radio-waves design on the heel with a skull graphic on the sole. These touches honour the fact that garage and grime artists found their platform on pirate radio stations, as a major part of London’s music scene back in the 90s.
size? released a first-look teaser for the shoes back in January on Instagram for fans.
size? has stated on their website: “Nike is focusing on UK culture for their latest Air Max 90s, nodding to OG pirate radio stations to inspire two new renovations of the undisputed classic canvas. The Air Max 90 has always been embedded in underground UK scenes, especially notable was their influence on garage and grime scenes which pirate radio stations promoted.”
The Nike Air Max 90 can be purchased here in white or in blue through the size? website and retail at £125.
