09/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/05/2024 08:04
Nike and Patta are celebrating the Dutch brand's 20-year anniversary with an exclusive release of the Patta x Nike Air Max 1 Chlorophyll, one of the most coveted Air Max 1 collaborations of all time.
The re-release of the Air Max 1 grail, also timed to mark 15 years of Nike x Patta collaboration, embodies the storied relationship between the brands - revisiting a key moment in their shared history while looking forward to an enduring future of collaboration.
Air Max 1 Chlorophyll fans will find the fresh drop nearly identical to the original, with a few modern touches. Both then and now, designers obsessed every detail - even reusing the exact same fabric from the 2009 release in this year's drop. The Chlorophyll and Matte Silver colorway is as iconic as ever, and the custom Patta tongue label reminds of the space the brand has carved out within sneaker culture. An updated sock liner swaps a Dutch Guilder design for one featuring a €20 bill, and a custom box, emblazoned with Chlorophyll accents, draws focus to Patta's 20 years of serving the community.
"The original Chlorophyll project was almost like a first album: There was a lot of energy, a lot of ideation in there, and the product was just very organic," says Patta cofounder Guillaume "Gee" Schmidt. "With this release, we stick to the essence of the shoe, which really stands the test of time. It's just an amazing moment to bring back a shoe that's so coveted, that's so loved by the sneaker community and the community at large."
Established in the heart of Amsterdam in 2004, Patta has grown from its roots as a boutique sneaker shop into a multifaceted brand whose creations and community initiatives speak to the core of modern sneaker culture.
Nike and Patta have partnered more than 10 times over the years, including on six sought-after Air Max 1 colorways - making Patta Nike's longest and most impactful Air Max collaborator. They've also partnered at the intersection of sport and style, celebrating the world's biggest sports club through Nike's first FC Barcelona x Patta collection, and united to create the Nike x Patta Running Team capsule, which balances an exploration of performance running with elevated lifestyle pieces.
Nike and Patta's partnership extends beyond footwear and apparel, as well. For example: Nike is a top sponsor of the landmark Patta Academy, which gives back to the community by helping talented young entrepreneurs get started - tapping into the brands' shared philosophy of inspiring and supporting the next generation.
"We stick very close to who we are, and we make sure that in addition to great product, we also always have something to say," Schmidt says. "Whether that is highlighting people we surround ourselves with, or a great narrative that we should shed light on for the world, it's making sure that we support the new generation in a sufficient way. I think the key for us - and definitely in our collaborations with Nike - is that it's always a bigger story. It's always about more than product. And I think that's our essence."
Leo Sandino-Taylor, Nike VP, Global Energy Marketing, echoed a similar sentiment, saying Patta's authentic, steadfast commitment to its vision and community makes the brand an outstanding partner.
"I think anyone who works with us on these kinds of partnerships is successful when they know their community and they build an idea, unapologetically, for the very core of that audience. Patta is at the top of the game in that regard," Sandino-Taylor says. "The community and point of view they've created is so tight that I think they serve and inspire one another. It gives Patta a special ability to articulate what they stand for and who they stand for. That's why the Patta DNA is so clear in every project we've done together."
The Patta x Nike Air Max 1 Chlorophyll will be available exclusively at pattaxnike.com and Patta chapter stores on September 13, with early in-store access available a day earlier at the Patta chapter store in Lagos, Nigeria.