Style
Billie Eilish’s strapped-up Nike Air Force 1 sneaker returns in green
The dark olive kicks can avoid Band-Aid comparisons with their new color scheme.
Billie Eilish is strapping in for another Nike collaboration following her “Mushroom” Air Force 1 sneaker. The singer has prepared another iteration of the high-top kicks, dressing the upcoming pair in a dark “Sequoia” green. Velcro straps still cover the shoe’s lace unit and extend up to the collar, but the shift in color scheme should deter anyone from comparing the sneaker to Band-Aids.
Like its lighter counterpart, the green Air Force 1 highlights Eilish’s love for classic Nike sneakers, although her previous collaborations with the brand focused on more underrated Jordan Brand silhouettes including a neon Air Jordan 1 KO and an all-tan Air Jordan 15. The Air Force 1, however, is her first Nike partnership focused on sustainability. “It was also important for me to mix in environmentally preferred materials where we could and present them in a way that felt fresh,” Eilish said in a press release.
Another banger from Billie — To put her own spin on the Air Force 1 — which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year — Eilish splashes a dark olive shade on every aspect of the sneaker, keeping with the monochromatic look of her previous kicks. A synthetic nubuck material, which uses 80 percent recycled materials, mimics the soft look and feel of the AF1’s traditional leather upper. The environmentally-conscious materials continue underfoot with a matching taupe Nike Grind midsole.
What most separates Eilish’s sneaker from the original, however, are chunky midfoot straps that scale all the way up to the shoe’s collar. Inspired by retro footwear such as the Alpha Force Low and the Air Trainer 3, the Velcro straps cover the sneaker’s laces and emphasize Eilish’s signature oversized style. Between the bottommost straps, the singer’s Blohsh stick-figure motif peeks out on a lace dubrae.
Other tributes to Billie are similarly hidden. A lyric from the artist’s song “Billie Bossa Nova” is concealed within the shoe on its cork-print insoles, which read “It’s hard to stop once it starts.” At this point, the lyric could allude to Eilish’s growing number of Nike collaborations. Nike’s typical branding hits the midsole, tongue, and heel tabs.
Coming soon — While the artist’s last Air Force 1 came with matching apparel, it seems this iteration will arrive solo. Just when it’ll launch hasn’t been announced yet, but you can expect to find pairs through Nike’s SNKRS app for $170. As of now, Eilish’s previous Air Force 1 High is reselling for up to $300, so you’ll want to catch her “Sequoia” set for retail — it’s arguably hotter than the first pair, anyway.