Air Afrique and Nike Take Flight With the Air Max RK61

Name: Air Afrique x Nike Air Max RK61
Colorways: Coconut Milk/Coconut Milk/Coconut Milk and Black/Black/Black
SKUs: HQ6416-100 and HQ6416-001
MSRP: $210 USD
Release Date: October 9
Where to Buy: Nike

Nike has teamed up with Air Afrique to bring new meaning to Air. The cultural collective, which is dedicated to Afro-diasporic arts, is inspired by the now-defunct Pan-African airline, Air Afrique. By joining with Nike, the two have found a new way to pay homage to this rich history by creating a new silhouette: the Air Max RK61.

This bold dress shoe continues the ever-popular fusion of sport and craft. Its hybrid structure begins with an Air Max Sunder-inspired zip-up upper, appearing in “Coconut Milk” and “Black” colorways. Built atop an Air-backed dress shoe sole, the Air unit nods to jet engines with its shape. Additional aviation references include a zipper pull with the Air Afrique logo, jacquard sockliner inspired by vintage aircraft seats, and morse code that spells out “Air Afrique” along the outsole. The RK61 name is also a nod to Air Afrique’s original flight code of RK and its founding year of 1961.

“The notion of Air is deeply connected to our history: Air Afrique, the airline itself, took to the skies to transcend cultures and newly independent African people,” shares Air Afrique member and magazine editor Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam. “We also speak of Air as a symbolic, metaphorical elevation through culture and humanity. This concept was our starting point for the product design and was central to creating the elegant silhouette of the Air Max RK61.”

For those looking to pick up a pair, the Air Afrique x Nike Air Max RK61 will be making its global debut on October 9 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a starting price of $210 USD.