# Animal-Printed Detailed Sneakers Nike Introduces a Leopard Tongue Design on the Air Max 97 By Amy Duong | Published 2022-07-06 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leopard-tongue References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2022/7/nike-air-max-97-leopard-tongue-dx8973-100-release-info) & [anrdoezrs.net](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-7941379-13067763?sid=HBEN-DA-FW--&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nike.com%2F) [Nike](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snakeskin-colorway-2) introduces another design iteration of the [Air Max 97](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-max-portal) sneaker model that is led with the Leopard Tongue accent. The chunky silhouette is detailed with the [animal print](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/field-general-1) at the base of the tongue as the Swoosh detail is added in a bright red on top of the black and white patches that rest on top. The shoe upper boasts the usual layered detail that applies different colors and materials. It blends together both white leather and mesh together for some textural contrast before tonal contrast comes through in the form of gold corduroy and olive tonal leather to finish the upper's look. It is then rounded out with an off-white midsole and black outsole foundation. Image Credit: Nike ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 12% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Animal-printed Sneakers:** Opportunity for designing sneaker models that incorporate animal prints to add a unique kick. - **Color and Material Contrasting:** Opportunity for incorporating visual and textural contrasts by blending different materials and colors in a product. - **Detailed Design Accents:** Opportunity for adding unique details like the leopard tongue accent seen in Nike's Air Max 97 to enhance product design. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion Industry:** Opportunity for fashion brands to design and create trendy products that incorporate animal prints, color and material contrasts, and unique design accents. - **Footwear Industry:** Opportunity for footwear brands to create new sneaker models that feature animal prints, color and material contrasts, and unique design accents in innovative ways. - **Sportswear Industry:** Opportunity for sportswear brands to develop athletic shoes that incorporate animal prints, color and material contrasts, and unique design accents for performance and style. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Animal-Inspired Patterned Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snakeskin-colorway-2.md) - [Animal-Print Patterned Skate Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snakeskin-colorway-3.md) - [Soft Brown Chunky Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/velvet-brown.md) - [Yellow Patterned Bold Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/university-gold-2.md) - [Animal Patterned Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samba-sneaker-4.md) - [Textural Stealthy Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-cat-colorway.md) - [Stealthy Textural Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-pony-hair.md) - [Sleek Textural Sneaker Colorways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-ostrich.md) - [Patterned Chunky Textural Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-max-95-sneaker-collaboration.md)