words // Brandon Richard
Nike Sportswear continues the Chinese New Year celebration with a special summer edition of the "Year of the Dragon" Air Force 1 Low. The low-top features a design that blends dragon boat imagery with traditional Chinese dragon iconography.
With the dragon boat serving as the primary source of inspiration, the upper includes red suede with an embossed scale pattern, while the outsole and highlights on the upper are done in bright blue. The design is intended to echo a red dragon boat floating on a blue lake, with the golden Swoosh emphasizing the nobility and majesty of the dragon.
2012 is known as “the Year of the Water Dragon," and this interpretation of a dragon rising out of the sea conveys the idea of prosperity for all. The multi-colored knitted tongue design represents the cultural features of the Dragon Boat Festival and best wishes for safety and health.
A 'dragon in clouds' pattern is used on the tongue top, identical to the one seen on the Spring "Year of the Dragon" Air Force 1. Other details include the multi-colored cloud pattern on the insole for good fortune; the character for 'dragon' in ancient oracle bone script on the heel counter; pearl dubrets with the Roman Numerals "XXX"; premium aglets and extra shoelaces.
The Year of the Dragon special edition Air Force 1 Low will be released on June 23, the date of this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, at select global retailers..
