LUX Force 1
The Bruce Kilgore designed Air Force 1 is one of my favorite silhouettes of all time. I would probably only slot them behind the Nike Air Max 1 and Air Jordan 3 when it comes to my favorite three shoes. The Air Force 1 is a sneaker that has been highly regarded in the sneaker community and culture for a very long time. In recent years we have seen a resurgence in quality color ways and fan favorite retros. The collaborations have also been good, with Travis Scott, CLOT, Undefeated and A Ma Maniére creating some of the most fascinating pairs. Today I wanted to take a look at three of the best releases with a predominantly black base.
Allowing some time to pass after the release of the Tiffany 1837 Air Force 1 earlier this year I wanted to explore a thought. With the $400 price tag on the shoe I wondered how they would stack up against two of my favorite collaborations in the A Ma Maniére Hand Washed Cold AF1 Low and the AMM AF1 Friend & Family.
MESSAGE:
The 1837 sneaker represents Tiffany and Co’s official debut into the sneaker world with 1837 paying homage to the year the New York based company was founded. Tiffany is known for the setting the American standard when it comes to sterling silver. The collaboration spoke to the decades long focus on high quality jewelry and goods as well as the longstanding innovations of Nike.
In the AMM Hand Wash Cold we got the Whitaker Grp’s take on the classic silhouette. Hand Wash Cold serves as a reminder to treat the things you care about with love and respect. They tell the story of giving back to the community and also represent delicate care, timeless luxury and premium feel. These are all ethos that James Whitner has established within the A Ma Maniére house.
PACKAGE:
The Hand Wash Cold AMM AF1 public release comes in a standard NIKE slide out box. What sets this box apart from others is the different global translations of “A Ma Maniére” which stands for “My Way” in French. On the inside there is your standard paper.
The F&F Hand Wash Cold package pulled out all the stops. A beautiful matte blacked out box with a Hand Wash Cold label pull tab to open. Included in the package are laces, premium Jason Mark cleaning kit and high quality extra laces.
For the 1837 AF1 we see your standard NIKE box but this time in the Tiffany blue color. Underneath the lid you find the Tiffany script in a Nike orange base color. The paper inside emulates a newspaper with the both Tiffany and Co & Nike ads.
MATERIALS:
All three shoes utilizes some of my favorite materials. All three utilize suede/nubuck and leather but in their own ways. With the 1837 sneaker you find leather on the heal tab, lace guard, Swoosh and inner collar. Throughout the rest of the paneling of the shoe you a very smooth black suede. The highlight of the sneaker is the silver charm found on the back of both shoes. The satin tongue also stands out.
The AMM F&F features a thicker matte black suede throughout and with hits of thick leather throughout. The iridescent metal lace aglets provide an even better experience.
You get that same aglet experience on the more widely available AMM pair, but that is where most of the similarities end. It relies more on a supple tumbled leather with very smooth nubuck and suede accents. You can also find reflecting material on the upper panel lining, and heel tab, that provides a dope contrast when certain light hits it.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I personally enjoy all three of the collaborative efforts but for different reasons. The limited release of the AMM AF1 are my favorite of the three. The quality of them immediately hit you upon seeing them. They also offer the most detail and intention in design.
The Tiffany’s are the softest of them and also the lightest pair. They are buttery soft.
The F&F AMM AF1 stand as the unicorn here. They are the perfect blend of quality and exuberance. The mini swoosh on tip is a chef’s kiss.
Which one is your favorite? Chime in the conversation.