AIRWALK TAPS JEFF STAPLE FOR NEW 30TH ANNIVERSARY CLASSICS BRAND
Global action sports and lifestyle brand Airwalk is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the launch of the new Airwalk Classics brand. This fall, Airwalk Classics draws inspiration from its skate roots to revive “The One”, the brand’s most iconic sneaker reinterpreted with a slimmer silhouette and new colorways to appeal to a new generation of fans and sneaker enthusiasts.
Authentic Brands Group (ABG), the owners of the Airwalk brand, tapped Jeff Staple, the renowned sneakerhead, tastemaker and longtime brand collaborator as Strategic Creative Advisor for the Airwalk Classics initiative. UNLMTD, a footwear industry leader, has been designated as the core partner for manufacturing and distribution in North America and Europe.
“Jeff Staple is a highly respected streetwear designer with an unparalleled understanding of the sneaker world that is essential to guiding the introduction of Airwalk Classics into the U.S. market,” said Jamie Salter, chairman and CEO, ABG. “We look forward to the launch of Airwalk Classics and having the brand reclaim its place in pop culture.”
Staple partnered with the Airwalk Japan design team and Kuni Shigeyuki, a longtime Airwalk creative consultant and creative director, on the design and development of Airwalk Classics. The Airwalk Japan team has been reproducing iconic Airwalk models for the past decade, making them the ideal partner to integrate an authentic “designed in Japan” aesthetic that is unique to the fall collection.
As part of the launch, Airwalk Classics created the campaign video “Designed in Japan” that documents the process of partnering with Kuni-san to develop Airwalk Classics and the brand’s influence in Japan. “Designed in Japan” will launch exclusively with Complex, airing across all digital channels including sneaker, style and skateboard sites.
“Airwalk is the original OG skate brand with an illustrious history and influence in both action sports lifestyle and sneaker culture,” said Staple. “The 30th anniversary marks the perfect time to introduce Airwalk Classics and bring back a true legendary skate sneaker like ‘The One’.”
The Airwalk Classics collection will drop this fall with three new variations of “The One”: the Random, the Pearl and the Bloc which will be available starting in October at select sneaker shops and footwear boutiques across the country.
