Nike has presented a new colorway for the Air Max 97 that is inspired by the late NASA engineer Marion Frank Rudy. The engineer was the first one to present the idea of adding an air unit to the midsole of sneakers, pioneering the very feature that Nike is known for in the present day. To celebrate this revolutionary technology, Nike is releasing the Nike Air Max 97 ‘M. Frank Rudy’ in a new retro colorway.
The sneakers arrive with a ‘Summit White’ canvas base construction, in addition to a light grey suede mudguard that wraps around the sneaker. ‘Safety Orange,’ yellow, and blue line the laterals, heels, and portions of the toebox, while tan leather decorates the tongue. Additionally, the sneakers boast a hand-drawn Swoosh, blueprint graphics, and “Est. 1997” branding on the air midsoles.
The Nike Air Max 97 in ‘M. Frank Rudy’ launches in the near future via Nike and select retailers.
Image Credit: Nike
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Engineer-inspired Design
- Sneaker designs inspired by engineers and their innovations can spark interest in niche markets and revolutionize style.
- Retro Futurism
- Retro colorways inspired by past innovations can attract a wider fanbase and create new design aesthetics.
- Collaboration with STEM
- Brand collaborations with influential people in STEM fields can inspire unique designs and generate positive publicity.
Where This Applies
- Sneaker Industry
- Creating partnerships with innovators in technology can result in disruptive sneaker designs and gain market share.
- Athletic Apparel
- Expanding broad stories and inspiration for designs can lead to original and captivating athletic apparel lines.
- STEM Education
- Connecting with industries like sneaker and apparel brands can result in future collaborations and increased motivation for students to pursue STEM fields.
