Ceeze’s sprawling portfolio of custom kicks already features notable collaborations with household names like Sprite and Microsoft, and now it’s unveiled one of its most head-turning shoes yet. Having garnered inspiration from countless key moments in fashion and pop culture, the design studio’s latest project channels the latter, as well as its New York stomping grounds. In collaboration with D’usse Cognac and Elite Williamsburg, a Brooklyn-based rooftop restaurant, Ceeze has unveiled its wildly limited, Biggie-inspired Nike Air Max 1.
As part of celebrating Air Max Day 2022, Ceeze itself describes this three-way joint effort as “very Brooklyn,” and we couldn’t have said it any better ourselves. By taking a classic pair of Air Max 90s and embellishing its mudguard with upcycled COOGI sweater material, then touching it up with buttery napa leather and shimmery gold patent leather, this is about as opulent a pair of Air Maxes you’ll find, and it’s safe to assume the ever-so-flashy King of New York would’ve preferred it that way.
Although Nike itself released a handful of new colorways for Air Max Day, it’s worth noting how big of an impact the silhouettes have across the sneaker landscape, as well as how it resonates with certain areas. If you ever find yourself walking down a sidewalk in certain corners of Brooklyn, you’re bound to stumble upon a giant Biggie mural, so the fact that this unique tribute comes courtesy of a band of local designers isn’t much of a surprise — not to mention D’usse, which is endorsed by Bed-Stuy’s very own Jay-Z, no less.
Whether you’re a West Coast fanatic or an East Coast purist, this sweet collaboration is something everyone can appreciate. Limited to a mere 22 pairs, the COOGI Air Max 1s are befittingly available to purchase through Ceeze for $2,022.
