An Unlikely Pair: Nike Announces Collaboration With Tiffany & Co.

This year, Nike is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the iconic Air Force 1 with an unexpected collaboration. On January 29th, Nike teased their collaboration with Tiffany & Co. in an Instagram post of a Nike shoe box in the classic Tiffany Blue® and the caption “@nike x @tiffanyandco, a legendary pair. Coming soon…,” sparking excitement from the public.

Two days later, Tiffany & Co. finally posted the shoes— as well as accessories— on their Instagram. The shoes are a pair of black Air Force 1’s with a Tiffany Blue® Nike symbol on the sides.

Many have since questioned the collaboration between the two brands due to their differences in style. Tiffany & Co. is known for their high-end fashion with an elegant and wealthy look; Nike, however, has become the epitome of modern street fashion. Some have argued that their collaboration is an unnecessary one, with the two different styles being rarely used together. Others are saying that pairing the two is bridging the gap between the two distinct styles. Some also noted that Tiffany & Co.’s recent collaborations are an attempt at appealing to younger audiences, widening their market.

This is not Nike’s first collaboration, let alone with a luxurious fashion house. In 2021, they collaborated with the late Virgil Abloh of Louis Vuitton, also creating a line of Air Force 1's for the luxury brand’s Spring/Summer 2022 runway show.

Nike also collaborated on a pair of Jordan 1's in 2020 with Dior.

Nike may not be new to collaboration; however, Tiffany &Co. is new to the idea. Before the company’s acquisition by LVMH in 2021, Tiffany & Co. had never collaborated with other brands. They have since collaborated with 3 brands aside from Nike. In fall of 2021, the luxury jeweler collaborated with Supreme, releasing a line of jewelry and other accessories.

In September of 2022, Tiffany & Co. and Fendi worked together to release a limited-edition Tiffany Blue® Baguette.

More recently, Tiffany & Co. partnered with the NFL and Mitchell & Ness to create a jersey in honor of the 57th Super Bowl.

Other criticism of the collaboration came from the color choice for the shoe. In streetwear, the black Air Force 1 is known to have a negative connotation, and despite Tiffany & Co. having a more luxurious, high-end aesthetic, that was the color chosen. On the other hand, some say that the choice of this color elevates the shoe and further brings together street wear and luxury fashion.

Some simply argue that the shoe itself is boring, with pictures circulating on Twitter of AI-generated images of a more exciting collaboration between the two brands.

The shoes are not the only products in the collaboration between Nike and Tiffany & Co.. Alongside the release of Air Force 1's, they are releasing Tiffany Blue® laces, a sterling silver whistle necklace, a shoehorn, and most infamously, a sterling silver shoe brush. Many of these accessories have faced criticism for being a waste of money. Namely, the shoe brush, which has been mistaken for a toothbrush, was given the tagline “Don’t Forget the Tongue.”

The Tiffany & Co. x Nike Air Force 1’s and all accessories will be released on March 7th. The sneakers will sell for $400, and the accessories will sell for $250-$475.