Nike Air Force 1 Low QS Nai Ke Nianhua – A First Look

The NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW QS NAI KE NIANHUA takes inspiration from the traditional Chinese New Year’s pictures.

The traditional art of NIANHUA can trace its roots back to the Tang dynasty in the 19th century, and since then the popular woodblock prints have become important ways to express gratitude, happiness and good luck. The pictures are packed with elements of folk art and symbolism, built in to imagery of familiar rural scenes, which combine to express moralities better than words ever could, which allow families to say goodbye to the past and welcome the future, making them perfect for the new year. For this release, to celebrate the Chinese New Year, NIKE have looked to a type of NIANHUA called Yangliuqing, which results in the classic White on White colourway being adorned with various designs. First up is a lotus flower on the tongue, which can have many meanings, but can be simplified as representing creative power and purity, whilst the Koi fish on the lateral side of the heel symbolises perseverance, courage and good fortune. Rounding things off on the outside is the red Nai Ke symbol emblazoned on the heel of each shoe, which adds a bit more pop to the crisp white upper. The symbolism continues on to the insoles, where the traditional NIKE branding has been replaced with a plump baby graphic, a traditional symbol of prosperity. While these will mean more to those of Chinese descent out there, we reckon anyone can appreciate the details on this release.

Chinese New Year is exactly a month away as we write this, so we expect the NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW QS NAI KE NIANHUA to drop soon, so make sure to keep checking back with us for updates. Whilst you wait you can check out the current NIKE offerings via the banner below.