Minimal. Modern. Fast. These are the words that describe the new Nike Dualtone Racer and Nike Air Zoom Mariah, two of three sneakers in Nike’s Fast Pack. Both capture the energy of city living in their clean design and the technology used to ensure comfort. Inspired by the look and feel of the 80s track, minimal uppers and low profile tooling make this new line of sneakers light and breathable.
The Air Zoom Mariah Flyknit Racer was inspired by the 1988 Nike advertisement featuring the original Mariah with the slogan, “They Came. They Saw. They Kicked Butt.” Taking this as a point of departure, these short punch lines have molded thinking around the Mariah as a shoe which fits modern-day fast-paced lifestyles, allowing wearers to be conquerors in their own disciplines.
The features and benefits of the modern Mariah are an adaptive Flyknit upper with external heel counter and spray swoosh, the midsole of the sneaker has a Zoom Air Unit in its heel and a CMP outsole that contains a traction pattern inspired by the outsole pattern design of the original Mariah.
The forefather of the Dualtone Racer, the Nike Duelist, was first released in 1988 and during this time the sneaker had made an impression on the running community as it contained exceptionally lightweight Phylon cushioning. The modern take on the Duelist, the Dualtone Racer features an engineered mesh upper. The upper has no-sew film on the quarter nods and has a TPU piece located on the heel counter providing a locked-down fit to the wearer’s foot. The midsole’s qualities are that of dual-density that has been injected into the unit’s sole – with an immense durability that enables it to double as the outsole. This in turn reduces the overall weight of the Dualtone Racer. It’s outsole features a thin web outsole that offers traction and creates a flexible feel for the wearer.
Neon orange braids make reference to the 80s, but combined with the dangling cowrie shell above the models forehead, this editorial immediately places the Mariah and Dualtone Racer within an Afro-inspired relationship with 80s fashion. An orange snakeskin bodysuit, multicoloured leggings and dual tone cycling shorts not only play on the name of one of the sneakers, but also highlights the history of the shoe and the foundation of its design coming from being inspired by the 80s track.
Photography and Styling by Jamal Nxedlana
Hair by Mimi Duma
Makeup by Katelyn Gerke
Photography Assistant: Lex Trickett
Styling Assistant Lebogang Ramfate
Model: Boikanyo Nkoane