Girlgaze x Nike Debut a New Air Force 1 Photo Series Featuring Unsung Heroes
Highlighting the cultural significance of the iconic sneaker.
Girlgaze and Nike have teamed up on a new photo series which highlights the iconic Air Force 1 sneaker. Since its launch in 1982, the silhouette has proven to be a cultural signifier. The AF1 is more than just a go-to footwear option due to its comfortability, it’s also a resilient model that has adapted well through the test of time.
The campaign was done in collaboration with an array of female Girlgaze photographers. Since Girlgaze’s focus is on providing creative career opportunities for girls, its only right that the series sheds light on unsung heroes in communities in North America. We spotted the following sneakers in the campaign: the Nike Air Force 1 Sage Hi and the AF1 Sage Low among a few others.
To represent New York City, photographers Kava Gorna and Heather Hazzan captured Briana Owens, owner at Spiked Spin, Jenny Dembrow associate executive director at The Lower Eastside Girls Club and Saraciea Fennell, founder of the Bronx Book Festival.
The Los Angeles campaign was shot by both Thalia Gochez and Daria Kobayashi Ritch. A few of the celebrated individuals in California included Chaniel Smiley, commissioner of the Drew League and 11-year-old Kheris Rogers, founder of #FlexinInHerComplexion. Rogers created her widely-known clothing line after being bullied by her classmates due to her skin color.
Additional Girlgaze photographers included Alexa Viscius, Ashley Armitage, Alice Liu and Emma Robinson who photographed heroes located in Chicago and Toronto.
In an official press release Girlgaze shares the concept behind the campaign:
“Whether in front of the camera or behind it, we are shedding light on unsung heroes in the community that are creating change to empower those around them. They are all voices who understand that we are greater than the sum of our parts as we move forward all for 1.”
Take a look at our favorite shots from the campaign in the gallery above.
