Nike joins forces with Air Afrique, the Paris-based creative collective, to launch the Air Max RK61, a silhouette that blends heritage, travel, and modern design. More than a shoe, it is a tribute to movement—across borders, through cultures, and between generations.
The name carries history within it: “RK” references Air Afrique’s original flight code, while “61” marks the airline’s founding year, 1961. Once a vital connection for West African nations and their diaspora, Air Afrique becomes the foundation for a design that honors legacy while stepping into the future.
Visually, the RK61 merges the refinement of a dress loafer with the comfort and innovation of Nike Air technology. Drawing inspiration from the Air Max SNDR and aviation aesthetics, the shoe features an Air unit shaped like a jet engine, Morse code on the sole spelling “Air Afrique,” a zipper pull engraved with the airline’s logo, and jacquard insoles recalling the patterned seats of vintage aircraft.
“The idea of Air is central to our story,” explains Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam of Air Afrique. “Air Afrique soared through the skies to connect cultures and unite people. We also think of ‘Air’ as a symbolic lifting up—through culture, creativity, and humanity.”
The collective, composed of four members, extends the airline’s original spirit of cultural exchange into new forms—art, film, and photography—all with an Afro-diasporic lens. Lead designer Jupiter Desphy adds, “This project is about bringing to light the rich history of Air Afrique. Travel shaped worldviews, and reconnecting to that legacy matters today.”
The launch campaign, Première Classe, celebrates that history through icons of the diaspora: Didier Drogba, Oumou Sangaré, Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith, and Mme Daba Traoré, a former Air Afrique employee. Their presence bridges past and present, underscoring the enduring influence of shared journeys.
The Nike x Air Afrique Air Max RK61 releases worldwide on October 9.