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    My Life: Marcus Troy x Nike Bespoke Air Force 1

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-1

    Back in early December I visited The Nike Sportswear Flagship store on 21 Mercer street in New York City for an opportunity of a lifetime.(for a sneaker head) I got invited to design my very own 1 of a kind Air Force 1 valued at $820 USD.

    I sat down with Israel Mateo aka IZ, the Nike Bespoke Specialist (who works on all the BESPOKE’s) The process took about 2 1/2 hours as he walked me trough the entire process of picking fabrics & colours, choosing outsoles and midsoles and design and rendering.

    The experience was truly incredible and rewarding! The shoes take bout 4 weeks to be completed and shipped but they rushed it for me dude to the holidays. The shoes came in this week and I want to show you guys what I believe to be a masterpiece.

    The shoes came out amazing and I want to share them with you. Vince Tsang from On and Beyond really brought the shoes to life with his amazing photography.

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-3

    The arrived in a standard light grey Nike shoe box, but the markings on the box were a bit different. They come from a factory in Taiwan who have the capability of producing 1 of a kind Air force 1’s. These are one of one so I don’t think you will be seeing anyone with these any time soon, except me of course.

    The box was quite heavy and the shoes came in a soft velvet-like dust bag with the Nike Sportswear logo on it with orange laces as draw strings.

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-9

    The shoes also came with Nike Sportswear branded shoe trees ( stretchers) which I think is amazing. This is the reason why the box was so heavy.

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-7

    When you create a Bespoke, IZ will give swatches from the materials you actually used as a keep sake. I was showing all my peoples the swatches before the shoes actually came in. I had the opportunity to used only NEW MATERIALS and colours which had recently arrived in studio. The premium materials I used were Kevlar, Waterproof Denim, Rubberized Leather, Turquoise Suede, metallic silver patent leather and Loopwheeler cotton.

    I wanted to create a shoe that was functional by nature but very stylish and original. As IZ had called it, a controlled design. I had the option of using hundreds of materials and colours but I chose colors that were safe and timeless. I chose materials for functional purposes like Kevlar, rubberized leather and waterproof denim for a more utilitarian feel. The turquoise blue suede and metallic patent was for pop and contrast.

    I went it there really unsure what colours or materials I wanted to use, I asked all my sneakerhead friends for their advice and they suggested I remake a shoe that I loved, but in an Air Force One. I ended up deciding to freestyle my design and pick it all on the spot.  All I knew is that I was inspired by 1 of my favorite BESPOKE’s to date which is the Bun B space Jam inspired AF1. I found that shoe to be so clean and simple but so very interesting and dope. I wanted to have the same feeling with my design.

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-11

    I choose grey waxed laces as an added feature and Loopwheeler cotton lining just cause its dope!!

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-10

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-8

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-5

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-4

    I was able to add 6 characters on each dubre (“dubre” (doo-BRAY), which describes a small metal badge at the bottom of the laces—called a lace lock by the uninitiated.”) so Marcus Troy was fitting.

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-2

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-6

    Here you have it! The Marcus Troy x Nike Bespoke Air Force 1’s

    1. Black Outsole

    2. Turquoise Air Max Midsole

    3. Black Kevlar on the Toe cap, Overlay, Eyestay and Back Tab taping

    4. Grey Water proof Denim on the Vamp and Upper

    5. Black Leather Rubberized Tongue and Heel Counter

    6. Grey Suede Swoosh and Turquoise underlay

    7. Metallic Silver Patent on the Tongue Tab and Heel tab.

    8. Loopwheeler cotton Lining and Sock Lining

    9 Grey waxed laces and black metal eyelets

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-13

    I am really proud of this shoe and how it came out.

    marcus troy x nike bespoke air force one-12

    * Click on each picture to Enlarge

    I would love to hear your thoughts on the design, colours and materials I used.

    Thanks to my Nike family for the gift and amazing opportunity.

    Thanks to Israel Mateo for the attention to the details and care.

    Thanks to Vince Tsang for the amazing photography and bringing these amazing shoes to light digitally.

    Visit MTTV for the full behind the scenes and making of these amazing kicks.

    Peace MT

    Happy New Year!!

    Further reading