World-famous textile manufacturer Liberty London is once again collaborating with Nike Sportswear, on a collection that juxtaposes the inherent sportiness of Nike gear with the luxe, high-fashion style of Liberty’s pieces. And Liberty’s traveling back in time to the 1970s in the process.
The collection is centered around Liberty’s rarely-seen Merlin print, a bold pattern that was originally designed in 1972 for a silk scarf. To mark Merlin’s revival, Nike included its own just-returned silhouette, one just as distinct as the pattern: the Air Rift.
The bold, singular curves of the famous Air Rift — from the triple-strapped enclosures to the barefoot-mimicking construction and split-toe — are cloaked in the brash, eye-catching print, as a white background is hit with vivid reds, blues, purples and yellows in concentric squares and circles, as well as a geometric shawl that incorporates both.
The Liberty x Nike Air Rift is then joined by five other models, running the gamut from the classic style of the Cortez, Air Max 90 Ultra and Tennis Classic Ultra, to the contemporary appeal of the Zenji and Air Max Thea. Each sports the same predominance of white against brazen, colorful graphics, albeit manifesting in a distinct layout and aesthetic.
Those shoes will be joined at retail by the Liberty x Nike Summer 2015 apparel collection, consisting of the Liberty Windrunner Jack, Liberty Tee and women’s Liberty Cap.
The Liberty x Nike Summer 2015 collection launches April 23 exclusively at Liberty London. The Liberty Air Rift then drops on Nike.com and at select global Nike Sportswear retailers May 4, before the rest of the collection drops May 15.