February is Black History Month, and since 2005 Nike has created a special collection every year to honor the achievements of black athletes across the world. What started with a single Air Force 1 model has since expanded to include men's, women, basketball, running, tennis, soccer, apparel and NIKEiD entries. This year's collection features 14 different footwear releases, of which Lapstone & Hammer will be carrying a selection of 5 Nike and Jordan sneakers.
Releasing next Friday, January 22, will be the men's Air Jordan 1 Retro High Nouveau and the Girl's Air Jordan 1 Retro High. The Nouveau covers its Jordan 1 silhouette with premium black leather upper with highlights of synthetic Kente-inspired print on the swoosh, ankle and tongue. The girl's AJ 1 High uses the Kente-inspired pattern to cover most of its premium leather upper, with black nubuck on the toe and side panels and a white swoosh and "Wings" logo to match the white sole.
Saturday, January 23, will see the release of the men's Air Force 1 High, the Women's Air Force 1 High, and the Women's Roshe One Knit Jacquard. The men's AF 1 High features a textile based upper covered in the Pan-African inspired print with a black leather ankle strap and swoosh and an off-white signature Air-Sole base. The Women's AF 1 High model sports a mostly black premium leather upper with Pan-African print on the toebox, tongue and heel tab that sits atop a white midsole with black branding and a black outsole. Finally, the lightweight Women's Roshe One Knit Jacquard has a seamless upper covered in another Pan-African inspired print offset with a white swoosh on top of the traditional Roshe white Phylon base.
Nike’s 2016 BHM Collection does not just pay aesthetic tribute with these designs, each shoe sold will make a real contribution to the life of a young African-American. Financial support and mentorship will be provided with benefits to African American kids through Nike’s Ever Higher Fund, which supports numerous national and local organizations that provide services to underrepresented youth.
