Produced by: Dan Hwang
Written by: Jesse Carr

Our next segment for the RE-Fresh project looks at what may be Nike’s most iconic running silhouette—the Cortez. The Cortez, in short, launched the Nike brand. Some sources have the origin of the Cortez reaching back as far as 1968 when an elite track coach named Bill Bowerman decided his athletes needed an edge. For a bit of background for those unfamiliar with the co-founder of Nike, Bowerman has had one of the great coaching legacies in all of collegiate sports. He coached 4 National title teams and 31 Olympic athletes. He’s also credited for bringing the concept of jogging to America after an eye-opening trip to New Zealand in 1962. Four years later, Bowerman published a book called, simply, Jogging, which sold over one million copies and ignited the interest in what is now one of the world’s most popular forms of exercise.

While unintended, the passing of Geoff Hollister has certainly made the Nike Sportswear Track & Field Collection all the more special. Inspired by Nike’s early years, its origin as a runner’s brand, and the all-important Athletic West program, of which Hollister developed, the collection re-imagines authenticity and heritage with contemporary construct.  Made with super soft cotton, each pre-treated to obtain a vintage appearance and feel. Yet never stray too far from its root as performance wear, some the design is thoroughly up-to-date, such as the Nike Reflective Windrunner.  Other minute details, like the crackle graphic print, wouldn’t have been possible without the state-of-the-art “antiqued” method.  As a whole, you will find the collection to be both a celebration of past achievements and commemoration of things to come.  The Nike Sportswear Track & Field Collection is now available at Nike Sportswear retail locations, such as 21 Mercer flagship store in New York City.

Nike Sportswear – 21 Mercer
21 Mercer Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL #: 212-226-5433

Courtesty of Geoff Hollister & The Oregonian

Often called “Nike’s Employee #3″, Geoff Hollister passed away yesterday, just three days after his 66th birthday, after a long battle with cancer. The Oregon native was born on February 3rd, 1946 and was an Oregonian in every sense of the term. After graduating from South Eugene High School in 1964, Hollister went on to University of Oregon, where he ran under the tutelage of track & field coach Bill Bowerman. To optimize his runner’s performance, Bowerman often asked Hollister to run in his prototype footwear. Not long afterwards, Phil Knight offered Hollister a job at his start-up with Bowerman, Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS), then a distributor for Japan’s Tiger sneakers. After opening BRS West, the company’s first retail store, Hollister became ever more involved when BRS spun off a sub-label from Tiger in 1972. That new entity was Nike.

Thanks to Hollister’s intuitions as a runner and business acumen, Nike thrived in the then largely ignored running community. Seeing a need to develop next generation of track & field stars after a dismal showing in the 1976 Summer Olympics at Montreal, Hollister organized Athletics West, a sponsored program for athletes and coaches alike. His ability to think outside of the box helped to create innovative product like the Nike Aqua Socks. And when cumbersome track jackets weigh down Nike athletes, Hollister introduced the lightweight Nike Windrunner Jacket and its iconic 26-degree chevron design. During his later years at Nike, Hollister helped to secure the brand with a Swoosh a place in youth track & field programs across the U.S. When Bill Bowerman passed away in 1999, Hollister developed the Bowerman Project in honor of his former coach and mentor.

Geoff Hollister is survived his wife Wendy, who still works at Nike, 2 children from a previous marriage, his son Tracy, daughter Kaili, several grand children, as well as two younger sisters. Not to mention, the thousands who benefited from his programs and products

An embodiment of Prefontaine, the updated Track & Field Collection from Nike Sportswear is derived from the same “can do” ethos as the late distance runner, along with the likes of Carl Lewis, Flo-Jo, Joan Benoit, and others. If you were to look into the collection’s true origin, you would find Nike Co-Founder Bill Bowerman at the helm. And just as he expected perfection from his athletes, he did the same with their tools of the trade. Hence, the mix of glory, heritage, and technology in each of the collection’s designs. You will find the collection at selected Nike retail locations around the world, such as the Nike Sportswear 21 Mercer flagship store.

Nike Sportswear – 21 Mercer
21 Mercer Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL #: 212-226-5433

The fireworks have been long gone. So are the lion dancers and other Chinese New Year festivities. But there is still an opportunity for you to partake in the celebration once again with Freshness’ current giveaway – a pristine pair of Nike Air Force 1 – Year of the Dragon in US Size 11. To enter for a chance to win, simply follow the 3 easy steps after the click. A friendly reminder though, the contest will end tonight when the clock strikes 11:59 pm EST.

Contest End Date: February 3rd, 2012 (Tonight!) | 11:59 pm EST

Produced by: Dan Hwang
Written by: Poe

Creativity speaking, it was a way to escape from the daily grind and to tap that original inspirations which started it all. Of course, that “original inspirations” could be anything and everything, from a simple leisurely stroll on the beach to something as outrageous as a trip around the world. For Matt Stevens however, it was to reconnect with his love of illustration, its process, and his fascination with Nike Air Max. Those were the premises behind Stevens’ first project, AirMax1-a-day. But when and where there is a conjuncture between art and sneaker, there is sure to be interest from other sneaker aficionados, and a lot of it. In a short order of time, this commune of shared interest became such that Stevens took this once personal project forward a bit more and made it public. With help from crowd funding site KICKSTARTER, it became known as MAX100.

Fascinated by its origination, we recently asked Matt Stevens for narrative guided tour on how MAX100 got its start. Our conversation led off as the newest installment of Fresh & Creative…

More than a celebration of history, Black History Month is about remembrance of the countless scarf ices made in the past and a commendation of ancestral accomplishments. Its also the reason behind the expansive nature of this year’s Black History Month Collection from Nike. In addition to the tennis ensemble worn by Serena Williams during Australian Open a few weeks back, the collection also encompass several other footwear – Nike Air Force 1, Nike Air Max 1, Nike Huarache Free, and Nike Blazer, each designed with an athlete in mind. To serve as the perfect complements, Nike added its Destroyer Jacket, Dri-FIT tee, and a range of accessories to the collection as well. More information about the collection and related festivities to come in the following weeks.

Getting away from the VNTG look on their retro releases for a minute, Nike opts instead for a premium treatment of the immortal Blazer. A basketball shoe that first hit the hardwood in the 1970′s, the Blazer has long since occupied the realm of lifestyle wear. On this WMNS releases, the sneaker sees some premium treatment, with a good amount of extra padding injected into the tongue and lining. Beyond the boosted comfort, the sneaker goes for the suede look on top in a lush green to match the laces. The off white sail provides the pop in what is all around a great spring sneaker for the ladies. Follow us after the jump for the full look at the Nike WMNS Blazer Mid PRM in lush green and pre-order a pair for yourself now from end clothing.

Nike WMNS Blazer Mid PRM
Style: 403729-300
Color: Lush Green/Sail

Cement, concrete, elephant… call it what you will but the affection it invokes are all the same. Just minutes ago, the Cement/Elephant Skin design option on Nike iD is finally available. Select from either Air Force 1 High iD and Air Force 1 Low iD, with the opportunity to appoint the iconic pattern as its upper. Furthermore, as NIKEiD hinted earlier, two additional colorways are also available. Aspiring sneaker designers and Air Force 1 aficionados can now select the original Neutral Grey/Dark Grey scheme plus Midnight Navy/Neutral Grey and Varsity Red/Neutral Grey. As with all limited design options, Nike iD will only permit 750 pairs of Air Force 1s. So act fast and purchase your design now.

There are few parallels between golf and basketball. One is built on speed, teamwork, and ever-changing game play while the other involves patience, control, and individual style. But with the Nike WMNS Dunk NG SL women’s golf shoes, Nike brings the design principles from the hardwood to the softness of the greens with an eye-catching series of colorways. Built with a waterproof full-grain leather upper that mirrors its on-the-court version down to the smallest details, including the silhouette, perforations on the toe, and even the look of the Swoosh. The sole uses Scorpion Stinger Spikes and the Tri-LOK system to provide superior traction while full-length contoured sockliners adjust to the shape of the foot to support you round after round. These hybrids come in three color styles, including white/granite/mint, white/pink/black, and a black and white checkered pattern, each with arriving with two pairs of laces to help you mix-and-match with the rest of your gear. You can pick up these up at Nike Golf retailers or directly from atmos online shop and its Tokyo flagship store.

atmos Tokyo
4-32-8 Jingumae | Map
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan
TEL #: +81-03-6427-6366

Having debuted in 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 will enjoy its 30th birthday this year. The shoe was created by designer Bruce Kilgore and introduced as the first Nike basketball shoe to feature Air technology. They were originally worn by NBA players including Moses Malone, Mychal Thompson and Michael Cooper (and, until his retirement last year, the mercurial big man Rasheed Wallace). Little has changed in the iconic sneaker that’s now been released in over 1,700 color combinations, with many more variations to come throughout the milestone year. Nike will also be releasing special commemorative tees made up of five new styles that pay tribute to one of the most influential sneaker designs in the history of the game. Check them out following the click. via: Sneaker Freaker

With fireworks, lion dances, and final family gatherings, last night marked the final day of a week-long festivities that usher in Chinese New Year. To commemorate this timeless celebration, we have secured a pair in US Size 11 of the prized Nike Air Force 1 – Year of the Dragon as Freshness Giveaway this month. To enter to win, simply follow the 3 easy steps after the jump. The contest starts this very moment and will end on February 3rd at 11:59 pm EST. Good luck!

Contest Start Date: January 30th, 2012 (Now!) | Midnight EST
Contest End Date: February 3rd, 2012 (Friday) | 11:59 pm EST