My second attempt at handmade custom sneakers – custom Nike Air Max 1’s inspired by the Air Max BW of the mid-90s.
Growing up in Dublin in the mid-90s the OG Air Max BW’s were everywhere. We didn’t really have much those days, but at the age of 11 my uncle Darren gave me a pair of (now OG) beige BW’s, the ones with the navy swoosh. I remember having my eye on them for weeks. They were with a pile of work stuff under the stairs. I would do daily checks to see if they were still there before tentatively asking if I could have them. In typical hand-me-down fashion they were pretty rough around the edges, and in need of a little TLC. They were a size too big, creased to bits around the toe box, and splitting around one of the air bubbles. But, even with all that damage, this was my first chance to own a pair of Nike Air Max, and I absolutely loved them.
I was only 11 so I got an old toothbrush and a bowl of Fairy liquid before throwing them in the washing machine for a deep clean. I cleaned those things within an inch of their life, probably doing more harm than good. It felt like weeks before they were dry and I could wear them to school.
I actually didn’t look them up before making this mid-90s inspired pair. Preferring to go from memory and a sense of nostalgia. I made some design and colour choices along the way with the use of black and orange. The perforated toe box and heel was inspired by a pair of Air Max 1 Premiums I had in 2018. I also mixed up the textures a little to differentiate the panels of the otherwise muted colourway.
Looking back on them now, those OG beige BW’s were a hideous pair of shoes, definitely of their time, but they will always have a special place in my heart as my first pair of Nike Air Max.
Disclaimer: This pair of custom Nike Air Max 1’s are not an official Nike product or collaboration. They are a one-of-a-kind handmade personal project and learning experience. For more information on each stage of the project visit our Instagram.
Partnerships
I’m very open to partnerships, so if you are a supplier of shoemaking tools, materials, or products and would like to partner up to promote them through our various social channels, feel free to get in touch.
Receive monthly updates on our custom sneaker-making journey, and gain access to the Complete Shoemaker Tools and Equipment Checklist for Beginners – with links.
90s Inspired Custom Nike Air Max 1’s
My second attempt at handmade custom sneakers – custom Nike Air Max 1’s inspired by the Air Max BW of the mid-90s.
Growing up in Dublin in the mid-90s the OG Air Max BW’s were everywhere. We didn’t really have much those days, but at the age of 11 my uncle Darren gave me a pair of (now OG) beige BW’s, the ones with the navy swoosh. I remember having my eye on them for weeks. They were with a pile of work stuff under the stairs. I would do daily checks to see if they were still there before tentatively asking if I could have them. In typical hand-me-down fashion they were pretty rough around the edges, and in need of a little TLC. They were a size too big, creased to bits around the toe box, and splitting around one of the air bubbles. But, even with all that damage, this was my first chance to own a pair of Nike Air Max, and I absolutely loved them.
I was only 11 so I got an old toothbrush and a bowl of Fairy liquid before throwing them in the washing machine for a deep clean. I cleaned those things within an inch of their life, probably doing more harm than good. It felt like weeks before they were dry and I could wear them to school.
I actually didn’t look them up before making this mid-90s inspired pair. Preferring to go from memory and a sense of nostalgia. I made some design and colour choices along the way with the use of black and orange. The perforated toe box and heel was inspired by a pair of Air Max 1 Premiums I had in 2018. I also mixed up the textures a little to differentiate the panels of the otherwise muted colourway.
Looking back on them now, those OG beige BW’s were a hideous pair of shoes, definitely of their time, but they will always have a special place in my heart as my first pair of Nike Air Max.
The shoe. The design. The inspiration.
Source: eBay & Laced
Disclaimer: This pair of custom Nike Air Max 1’s are not an official Nike product or collaboration. They are a one-of-a-kind handmade personal project and learning experience. For more information on each stage of the project visit our Instagram.
Partnerships
I’m very open to partnerships, so if you are a supplier of shoemaking tools, materials, or products and would like to partner up to promote them through our various social channels, feel free to get in touch.
email: partnerships@somy.ie
Keep Up To Date
Receive monthly updates on our custom sneaker-making journey, and gain access to the Complete Shoemaker Tools and Equipment Checklist for Beginners – with links.
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