Even if you’re not a sneakerhead, you’re probably still familiar with the Nike Air Max. The shoes have been seen on celebrities and internet personalities all over the world, so you could say the Nike Air Max has definitely made its mark on the fashion scene.
In celebration of the kicks’ 35th anniversary, advanced fashion tech company, MACHINA, has reinvented the iconic shoe with modern 3D printing technology incorporated into its design.
Combining sustainability and innovation, MACHINA came up with an exoskeleton design made from recycled materials like micromotors from old computers and fermented plant starch to jazz up the Nike Air Max silhouette.
Taking the ‘Air’ in Nike Air Max literally, the custom piece features 2 functioning mini fans on the top of the shoes so you can feel the breeze as you walk.
Flip the extension piece, and you’ll find tiny details like the roman numerals for 35, “XXXV”, and “3.26” embossed on it to represent 26 March, AKA the date of the Nike Air Max’s 35th anniversary.
This exoskeleton custom piece was made to complement the new Air Max “Wabi-Sabi,” an Air Max Day 2022 release featuring olive green and brown hues to honour the Japanese principle that celebrates life’s natural imperfections.
Though it may look ridiculous at first glance, these sneakers are truly an innovative take on the iconic model. Incorporating turbines and 3D printing into a shoe is definitely something we haven’t seen before, leaving us to wonder if the possibilities are indeed endless.
Unfortunately, these reimagined Nike Air Max are not available for purchase, but you can get your hands on the exclusive Air Max “Wabi-Sabi” from platforms like StockX.
All images courtesy of MACHINA.
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