AIR MAX TAILWIND V / SKEPTA

The Skepta x Nike Air Max Tailwind 5 “Bloody Chrome” is one of several colorways of the performance running shoe imagined by the UK Grime artist and Nike for Spring 2021. After releasing the covetable Air Max 97 UL collaboration in September 2017, Skepta and Nike have worked together to recreate various Air Max styles inspired by elements of UK Grime culture and classic Nike sportswear. Here, the “Bloody Chrome” finds the two entities tapping into an outdoors theme inspired by the idea of “creative rebirth.” The shoe’s upper displays the wings of a butterfly in a bold Bloody Chrome pattern beneath the Air Max Tailwind’s molded overlays. The rest of the design is kept minimal in monochromatic black to play into Skepta’s appreciation for the “Roadman” aesthetic associated with Grime. A metallic silver jeweled Swoosh appears on both sides. A chrome synthetic overlay breaks up the muted look of the back of the shoe. Retro-inspired “Sk Air” and “Tailwind” branding can be found on the black leather tongue. Clear Air bubbles in the forefoot and heel of the black foam midsole complete the look.