The brand from Beaverton is not shy on sharing their history. The Nike Air Max 97 Celebration of the Swoosh proves such, telling the story of the sportswear company’s rich past and iconic logo.
Updating the upper with printed panelling lifted from age old ads, you’ll find vintage branding straight from the ’70s all over the silo as well as nods to Blue Ribbon Sports and their ties to Onitsuka Tiger on the left forefoot.
Despite a few disagreements between the Beaverton-based sportswear giant and Onitsuka following the breakup, Nike has displayed great respect to Onitsuka over the years. At the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, OR, a Japanese garden is situated in the middle of the campus to pay respect and honor to the company.
Earlier this year we saw the “Evolution of the Swoosh” pack that celebrated the many different brand styles of Nike over the years, but word is that there is a forthcoming pack dubbed the “Celebration of the Swoosh” that tips its hat to the early years of the brand.
Photos recently surfaced of the Air Max 97 that is said to be part of this pack that is dressed with newspaper clippings and print advertisements from the 1970s including an ad that shows an original Onitsuka Tiger shoe.
Just above the shoe is an address that reads “855 Olive” which was the address for The Athletic Department store in Eugene, OR. While other clippings and memos attached to this shoe, there are probably countless things to discover.
Creating somewhat of a money motif due to the aged tint of the print, the Nike Air Max 97 Celebration of the Swoosh is set for this fall.
Peep shots from our own Rob Mata with pairs available now at Sneaker Politics.
Nike Air Max 97 Celebration of the Swoosh
Release Date: Fall 2019
