Matisse Meets Marathon Tees With Nike’s Latest A.I.R.

What do you get when you cross a modern day Matisse with some retro finisher tees? Nike’s Artist in Residence collaboration with A. Savage, that’s what.

And I think it’s just lovely.

Following on from Japanese artist Keeenue, and Struggle Inc’s Cody Hudson before that, A. Savage brings a beautiful colour palette to the brand with a look that harks back to 70’s sports event branding and even has a little olympic vibe to it.

Well versed in designing album artworks, murals and the like, A. Savage’s bold graphics seem ever more appropriate now the world is in lockdown, with Nike describing the look as having;

“a colour palette inspired by national flags and costumes. The colour combination suggests allegiance to a nation that does not exist—a true state for everyone that unites the world through art and sport.”

And right now, we do need to unite. Nike have already done their bit in trying to instil a bit of friendly competition and community with their Living Room Cup. A campaign on Instagram that sees the likes of Dina Asher-Smith, Julien Wanders and Caster Samenya from the running world, and Rory McIlroy and Virgil Van Dyke more broadly, who set challenges for us everyday mortals to encourage staying active.

In conclusion, Nike and A. Savage have created a timely collaboration that, not only with its bold colour palette, but with the meaning behind the look, taps into the current climate around exercise, and of wider culture too.

You can find the collaboration here.