Nike and Air Afrique Unveil Air Max RK61 Inspired by Pan-African Heritage

Nike and Paris-based collective Air Afrique are connecting legacy and cultural innovation in a first-of-its-kind dress shoe built for comfort and meaningful storytelling.

Merging Diasporic Heritage and Modern Design

Nike’s Air Max RK61, co-created with Air Afrique, reimagines the classic Air Max with a stylish, moccasin-inspired loafer silhouette. The design pays tribute to the tradition of dressing up for travel, bridging nostalgia with performance and sartorial elegance. Named for the original Air Afrique airline’s flight code (RK) and founding year (1961), the shoe honors the Pan-African airline’s unifying history and the collective’s mission to spotlight Afro-diasporic artistry.

Aviation and Afro-Diasporic References in Every Detail

The Air Max RK61 blends cues from the Air Max SNDR and timeless dress shoes. Its premium upper, available in black or beige, is defined by a streamlined, three-panel design, zippered lace panel, and subtle metallic touches. Signature details include:

• An Air Max unit inspired by a jet engine, providing visible cushioning and visual pop.

• Morse code spelling out “Air Afrique” on the outsole, a nod to the golden era of aviation.

• Zipper pulls adorned with the original airline’s logo for a luxe, heritage touch.

• Jacquard sockliners reminiscent of classic aircraft seats, grounding each step in history.

The “Stadium Green” air bubble underfoot and welt construction further connect the shoe to both sports tech and refined style.

A Campaign for Movement, Elevation, and Iconic Achievement

Nike and Air Afrique debut the RK61 in a Première Classe campaign inspired by early 20th-century travel posters. The campaign celebrates “Air” as both movement and metaphor—featuring Afro-diasporic luminaries across generations: football legend Didier Drogba; celebrated singer Oumou Sangaré; Olympic sprinter Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith; and former Air Afrique employee Mme Daba Traoré. Together, they reflect not only elevation through travel but the strength and connection of community across time and continents.

Direct Quotes: Founders and Designers on Meaning and Craft

Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam, Air Afrique collective member and magazine editor, said:
“The notion of Air is deeply connected to our history: Air Afrique, the airline itself, took to the skies to transcend cultures and newly independent African people. We also speak of Air as a symbolic, metaphorical elevation through culture and humanity. This concept was really our starting point for the product design and was central to creating the elegant silhouette of the Air Max RK61.”

Jupiter Desphy, RK61 lead designer, said:
“This project is meant to bring out the rich history of Air Afrique, highlighting what the airline represented as an achievement for the continent and the people of those West African nations, domestic and abroad. The opportunity to travel should be available to everyone, and the ability to meet new people, see distant relatives and gain exposure to different cultures forms our worldview in a meaningful way. As a team, we wanted to show respect to an era of movement many people may not be familiar with, in the form of a shoe that articulates these ideas and emotions.”

Legacy, Modernity, and Community Reach

Air Afrique’s 2021 rebirth as a Paris-based creative collective—a project driven by Lamine Diaoune, Djiby Kebe, Jeremy Konko, and Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam—continues a mission rooted in visual arts, cinema, and the radical inclusion of Afro-diasporic voices. This Nike collaboration follows their acclaimed Air Afrique Football Club capsule, again merging the power of sport, design, and heritage.

Ahmadou-Bamba said:
“We’re very deliberate about who we work with, making sure we uphold the Air Afrique name. Nike is a universal brand with a cultural platform that reaches a wide audience and has always resonated with us, ever since we were kids. There’s intention and distinction in every Nike innovation and design decision, and that’s what connects them to our story with Air Afrique — because that intentionality is at the center of everything we do.”

Global Release and Buying Info

The Air Max RK61 launches worldwide October 9 in black and beige colorways at SNKRS and select partners, priced at $210. Sizing tip: the RK61 runs a half-size large; order down for your best fit.

Nike and Air Afrique’s cross-continental partnership elevates a timeless travel tradition with next-gen design, telling a uniquely global story of connectivity and pride with every step.