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The Drop: Nike Air Force 1 Shell

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The Drop: Nike Air Force 1 Shell

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A JACKET FOR YOUR FOOT.

Designed in 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 has permeated culture for decades and continues to be a fashion staple thanks to clean lines, strong midsoles and classic colourways. 

Inspired by seasonal outerwear, the Nike Air Force 1 Shell has a water-repellent upper and an adjustable collar to help keep you dry when the weather turns.

Dry Warmth

A textile upper with a water-repellent finish covers the foot from the elements and the soft Sherpa fabric sockliner provides warmth.

Adaptive Styling

A loop that cinches the laces at the top is functional and gives a nod to similar toggles traditionally used in winter outerwear.

Branding Details

A sprayed Swoosh design, cord detailing on the upper and back tab create a premium look.

Product Details

  • Rubber sole for traction
  • Colour Shown: Desert Sand/Spruce Aura/Atmosphere Grey
  • Style: BQ6096-002
  • Country/Region of Origin: Vietnam
Air Talks

Pantsula has a new force

A game changer in every sense, Leballo Lee Lenela’s can-do attitude continues to keep her at the forefront…

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A game changer in every sense, Leballo Lee Lenela’s can-do attitude continues to keep her at the forefront of the pantsula stage with the spotlight fixed on her at every point.

Professional Pantsula dancer and athlete in her own right, Lee grew up in Soweto and was inspired by the culture of the streets. Pantsula bug bit her at a young age and she hasn’t stopped dancing since. Typically seen as a dance reserved for men, Lee is a daring hero for young girls in her community as she continues to lead her dance crew, Intellectual Pantsula. 

Unflinchingly, Leballo has always gone above and beyond to prove that limits are a mere figment of  the imagination. Growing up, she had to mask her passion as a hobby in order to be allowed to dance. She was chosen by the exuberant culture of the streets and learned about what truly makes her heart beat.  Her passion for dance led to her becoming a force for change amongst the young women who now look to her for inspiration. 

A natural born leader, it was not long before she started influencing people to open their minds and think differently, those who never saw women as pantsula dancers. “Being a woman disadvantages me even though I can dance better than some of the male dancers” she says. This is a sentiment her mother shared as well and it took some convincing to let her live out her dream. Since then, she has been fearlessly expressive of her freedom and in the process, opening doors for the generation that comes after her. 

What was movement, became a culture. What became a culture catapulted her into the light, from where she continues to take hold of her power and female energy . From a tumultuous time comes a beautiful heritage-filled narrative that accurately illustrates an authentic story. “Pantsulas were the cool guys – everyone wanted to be like them or be around them. It had this respect and I was so happy that I could celebrate that dance,” says Lee. 

As a celebration of her history, she chose this specific dance style because it meant more than just busting a move or winning dance battles. She is not only a part of a sub-culture that was completely homegrown but she is killing it and opening doors for young girls like her. Taking charge whenever she hits the dance floor, she lives out her dream every day. 

If there was ever a force for change, Lee is an inspiration. Living in a community that still believes pantsula dancers should be men, her drive to be the best has created a space where girls can see themselves in a new light, doing things they wouldn’t typically do. In the true sense of trailblazing, Lee stands strong in her dreams, saying that the sheer magnitude of her aspirations sometimes scare her. 

“We own it, so we must master it in every way,” she says. For as long as she creates paths for herself, she will continue to open up the circle for other young women, constantly lifting as she rises. 

Air Talks

Classic inspiration for a future redefined

With a futuristic take on the much loved and classic sound that is RnB, Elaine’s vocal focused sound defies bounds and sets a forward trajectory that reshapes the future of local soul music.

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With a futuristic take on the much loved and classic sound that is RnB, Elaine’s vocal focused sound defies bounds and sets a forward trajectory that reshapes the future of local soul music. 

With no surprise that she landed the title of “first independent woman to reach the number one on African Apple Music album charts”, Elaine did all of that within a month of releasing her debut EP to the world and did it all while studying a grueling university law degree. If that’s not game changing, you can’t help but beg the question, well, what is?

Steadfast and multi-disciplinarian, she has already gone against the grain of what it means to be a woman, redefining success and formulating her own rules along the way. Having a strong voice, her undeniable force continues to precede her as she continues on her phenomenal journey. The self-funded body of work released last year, created by what some would call an “inexperienced bunch”, obliterates the misconception that one needs extensive experience in a field in order to create magic. Looking to the future to create something with elements borrowed from the past is how this law student rose to fame and made sure the public doesn’t forget her. 

As long as music lives on, it exists in the minds of the youth who appreciate the groundwork laid by the greats that came before them, learning from their processes and applying it to their revolutionary work to carry them into the future. These are the makings of the new school winners like Elaine, who’s music not only transcends genres, but undoubtedly shifts into new spheres, those of which seemingly cannot be defined yet; that’s what defines a future everlasting. 

Redefining the face of success with a record breaking, fully-independent album, Elaine paves the way for her generation and those after her to define for themselves what it means to reference the past in order to create the future.

She has created a novel sound that pays homage to the throwbacks of 90s RnB, making them relevant and flawlessly fit for the future with her smooth, controlled and mature voice. Her limit smashing rise to success defies the traditional routes to success, she not only defies barriers, but meets them head on. 

Air Talks

Define yourself, define the future

An essence engrained in its past, Thesis Lifestyle delimits the future’s possibilities

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An essence engrained in its past, Thesis Lifestyle delimits the future’s possibilities

Perfectly capturing the essence and vibrancy of their community, Thesis Lifestyle co-founders, Wandile Zondo, and Galebowe Mahlatsi (also known as Wireless G), began their journey by selling stylish second-hand clothing, lighting the fire to what has now redefined street culture. 

“Based on no rules to express who you are,” Thesis was launched as a study to illustrate a new point of view of street culture. 

“The brand was a canvas for young people to express themselves.” 

Thesis Lifestyle takes cues from its forefathers and constantly creates spaces that empowers and grows its community. Always aiming to create the next best thing without the restrictions of rules, the brand’s arms stretch into community and social projects like the run and cycle club. Products like their bucket hats and graphic tees are their signature, with developing style allowing the apparel to keep its freshness and appeal.

What started out as a brand 15 year ago, right after Wandile concluded his tenure at Edgars, emerged into a movement. With 2 stores launched, they still face challenges of keeping the lights on and understand the risks of starting out a business, but the brand’s growth sees international recognition with tourists coming from all over the world to purchase merchandise. “We know the long-term game now,’ says G, with his sights for Thesis set on longevity. 

Thesis propels a legacy built on the backbone of its significant past.

Thesis co-founders, Wandile Zondo and Wireless G, are a force in leading the evolution of Johannesburg’s street culture. Celebrating the heritage of resting legends, along with the traditions and history of our country, he introduces a revised concept of the modern street aesthetic within the community. 

Wandi and G push the boundaries of conventional urban style and recreate a contemporary flavour for people who demand space to step into the future. Further than this, with the Thesis events, they create space for culture to burst beyond its borders, allowing them to truly redefine the future.

Air Talks

Classic inspiration for a future redefined

With a futuristic take on the much loved and classic sound that is RnB, Elaine’s vocal focused sound defies bounds and sets a forward trajectory that reshapes the future of local soul music.

Read More Read Less

With a futuristic take on the much loved and classic sound that is RnB, Elaine’s vocal focused sound defies bounds and sets a forward trajectory that reshapes the future of local soul music. 

With no surprise that she landed the title of “first independent woman to reach the number one on African Apple Music album charts”, Elaine did all of that within a month of releasing her debut EP to the world and did it all while studying a grueling university law degree. If that’s not game changing, you can’t help but beg the question, well, what is?

Steadfast and multi-disciplinarian, she has already gone against the grain of what it means to be a woman, redefining success and formulating her own rules along the way. Having a strong voice, her undeniable force continues to precede her as she continues on her phenomenal journey. The self-funded body of work released last year, created by what some would call an “inexperienced bunch”, obliterates the misconception that one needs extensive experience in a field in order to create magic. Looking to the future to create something with elements borrowed from the past is how this law student rose to fame and made sure the public doesn’t forget her. 

As long as music lives on, it exists in the minds of the youth who appreciate the groundwork laid by the greats that came before them, learning from their processes and applying it to their revolutionary work to carry them into the future. These are the makings of the new school winners like Elaine, who’s music not only transcends genres, but undoubtedly shifts into new spheres, those of which seemingly cannot be defined yet; that’s what defines a future everlasting. 

Redefining the face of success with a record breaking, fully-independent album, Elaine paves the way for her generation and those after her to define for themselves what it means to reference the past in order to create the future.

She has created a novel sound that pays homage to the throwbacks of 90s RnB, making them relevant and flawlessly fit for the future with her smooth, controlled and mature voice. Her limit smashing rise to success defies the traditional routes to success, she not only defies barriers, but meets them head on. 

Air Talks

Taking the Vogue nation to the streets

Fearlessly breaking boundaries and unapologetically claiming space in this modern world,  Ntsikelelo ‘Lelo’ Meslani is changing the landscape…

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Fearlessly breaking boundaries and unapologetically claiming space in this modern world,  Ntsikelelo ‘Lelo’ Meslani is changing the landscape for creativity amongst the youth, and breaking every mould you thought existed. 

With accolades running a mile off a page, Joburg based Lelo Meslani, also known as ‘Lelowhatsgood’, is redefining what it means to be a young black creative in South Africa. A jack of all trades and master of them all,  Lelo is a DJ, content creator, writer, digital marketer and Senior Features Editor of digital-zine Faculty Press. The multi-talented visionary, whose work has been published by The New York Times, Mail and Guardian and Superbalist’s The Way Of Us, is also scheduled to set the 2019 AFROPUNK JHB stage alight.

Not only is he securing the bag, Lelo is a driver in the fight for social change. Having founded Vogue Nights in 2018, a safe nightlife playground for the queer community grounding itself in music, art and dance, he not only understood the need for a change in the way individuals socialise, but rose to pioneer status when he took the initiative and became a self-starter. The importance of having a space like this in today’s world has become more important than ever before, and with a young prodigy like him, who has his fingers on the pulse, his success comes at no wonder. 

 “I’ve chosen to use creativity to interpret the world I live in to give things more meaning.” In a growing conscious world, careers are being matched with one’s life purpose, and Lelo certainly has no difficulties when it comes to that. His life stands testament that one need not stick to a single career journey; if you’ve been blessed with multiple talents, let them all shine! 

It is fear that detracts one from becoming their best self, and Lelo seemingly has none of it. An undeniable front runner, he is not only building a legacy for himself, but inviting others to be a part of it too. Creating a space that can be owned by those that are a part of it are what make for grand movements, and with its members flying the flag for the generation to come, Lelo remains stationed at its helm.

from the archive