Under The Radar

An ode to the Nike Air Max 96 II OG, Tailwind V Sp & Air Tuned Max’

Unexpected silhouettes and overlooked styles have a significant impact on today's most adventurous aesthetics. When "the Air" dominated throughout the '90s with shoes like the Air Max 90, Air Max 95, and Air Max 97, a few pairs from the same series went quiet and under the radar for most of the mainstream with just a handful of connoisseurs digging the futuristic design language just to come back even stronger. The trio of "Gen Zs" and their appeal and timing continue to impress over 20 years later to create some kind of Air Max alternative universe for your favorite tastemakers. Kicked off by Sergio Lorenzo's Nike Air Max 96 II in 1996, a lightweight continuation of his creation from 95, it is crafted with distinctive lines and fabrics perfectly mirroring the time it was released in. What followed were iconic designs and new technologies just as the 1998 (or 1999)-debuted Nike Air Tuned Max. Incorporating for the first time Nike's Tuned Air cushioning system, the lightweight sneaker was the perfect mix of the latest tech with a contemporary design. Just one year later the Nike Air Max Tailwind V entered the scene with its quilted construction leaning towards a new century with a design that was heavily influenced by its Y2K predecessors but with a futuristic mindset.

To highlight all three sneakers, we headed to London and gave them their deserved spotlight.

Credits Photography/Creative Direction: Bryan Aseya - Videography: Moise Kabongo - Styling: Tiffany Riazanova - Hair: Sharon Robinson - Make up: Min Sandhu - Producer: Sabrina Diamantopou - Assistant Producer: Olivia Abbasi - Models: Jonah / Dorani