Collaborations between the artist from New Jersey and the Swoosh conglomerate have consistently been among the most sought-after in the last decade. For their latest collaboration, facilitated in part by Dover Street Market, these long-time partners are joining forces to support Sky High Farm, a nonprofit organization addressing food insecurity in underserved communities. Sky High Farm, co-founded by Dan Colen from the renowned IRAK crew, previously collaborated with Converse on a capsule collection. Their upcoming project with Nike, Inc. reimagines Bruce Kilgore’s iconic 1980s basketball silhouette and is expected to appeal to both art collectors and streetwear enthusiasts.
In an exclusive interview with GQ, Colen expressed his challenges dealing with the elitism and exclusivity within philanthropy. Despite these obstacles, the collaboration with KAWS, powered by Nike and Dover Street Market, reflects a creative approach to philanthropy. Colen emphasized KAWS’ pioneering role in merging art with popular culture, aspiring for their ideas to resonate on a similar level.
KAWS’ design for Sky High Farm’s Air Force 1 maintains a simple yet unmistakably KAWS aesthetic. The model is presented in classic white and black colorways, staying true to the sneaker’s most iconic designs. Dye-cut swooshes with printed overlays of the original profile logos, designed by KAWS, incorporate cloud-like imagery reminiscent of Sky High Farm. The footwear and apparel created as part of this charitable collection utilize recycled Nike shoes and clothing, aiming to acknowledge the abundance of creative design already present in the world, according to Colen.
The project will be available in-store at DSMNY and online through skyhighfarm.org starting on December 16th. While pricing details have not been revealed by either party involved, it is anticipated that this information will be disclosed soon.
