Representing a groundbreaking approach to sneaker design, the Nike Air Max RK61 x Air Afrique honors West African aviation history. This collaboration between Nike and the Paris-based creative collective Air Afrique transforms cultural memory into wearable art.
You might wonder how an airline from the 1960s connects to modern footwear. The Air Max RK61 draws its name from the original Air Afrique airline’s flight code, RK, and its founding year, 1961. The historic airline connected West African nations and their diaspora across continents.
Nike applied its signature Air Max technology to a completely new design. The design team drew inspiration from classic moccasin styles and the Air Max SNDR. The result is both familiar and revolutionary.
Aviation heritage is evident throughout the shoe’s construction. The Air Max unit resembles a jet engine when viewed from the side. Take a closer look at the outsole, and you’ll find Morse code spelling “Air Afrique.” The zipper pull features the original airline’s logo.
The jacquard sock liner mimics the patterns of vintage aircraft seats. These details establish an authentic connection to the airline’s golden era of African aviation.
In 2021, Air Afrique transformed from a defunct airline into a cultural platform. Four members — Lamine Diaoune, Djiby Kebe, Jérémy Konko, and Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam — reimagined the brand for contemporary audiences.
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“Air connects deeply to our history,” explains Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam, a collective member and magazine editor. “Air Afrique took to the skies to transcend cultures and connect newly independent African people. We speak of Air through symbolic elevation via culture and humanity.“
Jupiter Desphy led the design process for the silhouette. His team aimed to honor forgotten transportation history while creating something entirely new.
“We wanted to show respect for an era of movement that many people may not know about,” Desphy explains. “The opportunity to travel should be available to everyone. Meeting new people and seeing distant relatives meaningfully shapes our worldview.”
The Première Classe campaign brings this collaboration to life. For the campaign, Nike and Air Afrique selected cultural icons spanning generations, including football legend Didier Drogba, Malian singer Oumou Sangaré, sprinter Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith, and former airline employee Mme Daba Traoré.
Their presence demonstrates the breadth of Afro-diasporic excellence across multiple disciplines.
Nike’s collaboration with Air Afrique builds on their previous Football Club campaign. The partnership reflects careful brand curation from both sides.
“We’re very deliberate about who we work with,” says Ahmadou-Bamba. “Nike has resonated with us since childhood. Their intentionality in innovation and design connects to our Air Afrique story.”
The Nike Air Max RK61 x Air Afrique will launch globally on October 9. You can purchase it through SNKRS and select retail partners.