Sometimes the best projects come full circle, and when they do, they carry a deeper sense of purpose. There’s something powerful about returning to where it all began, revisiting the roots, the people, or the ideas that first sparked your journey. These moments aren’t just nostalgic; they’re transformative. They remind you of how far you’ve come, why you started, and what truly matters.
A little while back, Akraam shared an incredible 1-of-1 Air Max 90 he’d been working on. This shoe carries real meaning, it was created for someone who had been there since the beginning, someone who owned one of the original Air Max 90 leaf print hoodies. That piece wasn’t just clothing; it was the start of his story. With its earthy tones and leaf patterns, the hoodie struck a perfect balance, bold enough to catch the eye without trying too hard. It told a story rooted in balance: between nature and design, simplicity and statement. So when the chance came to design a sneaker that could carry that same energy, it didn’t feel like starting something new. It felt like a natural evolution of the creative journey.
The goal wasn’t just to match the hoodie, it was to echo it. To speak the same visual language, to capture the same attitude. A direct copy wouldn’t do; it had to be a reinterpretation and an elevation
The base shoe is a white suede Air Max 90, a minimal, neutral canvas that offered texture and depth without overpowering the rest. It needed to lay the groundwork for something expressive. The real challenge starts when translating a leaf print onto leather in a way that matched other previous work authentic. It can’t be too loud or gimmicky. It needed the subtlety. Texture that working with nature brings
Over the span of several weeks, he experimented, sketching, sampling, cutting materials, testing techniques. Some versions felt too sharp, others too soft. But eventually landing on hydro dipping. It was the breakthrough needed to finish the project. The process allowed for intricate detail while letting the pattern flow naturally with the leather’s contours. The result? A design that feels refined, immersive, and entirely intentional. No cheap fades, no overdone prints, just a clean, elevated finish that nodded to the hoodie’s legacy while pushing skills and techniques forward.
In the end, we wanted to share this because it just works, it came together in a way that felt honest, effortless, and true to the original spirit. The final sneaker isn’t just a finished product; it’s a story in itself. A lesson in growth, in staying grounded, and in trusting the creative process. It became a dialogue between the early work and where things are now, a conversation between past intentions and present execution. This custom piece is something we genuinely love, not just for how it looks, but for what it represents. As Akraam says, it’s one of those full circle moments we all live for, the kind that reminds you why you started in the first place.
