Nike

Founded in 1992, ‘VIBE’ was the brainchild of legendary music and film producer, Quincy Jones, in partnership with the newly merged Time Warner. 

Simply put by Carol Smith, of Time Inc., “What Rolling Stone was to the ’60s, Vibe is to the ’90s.”  A leading lifestyle and entertainment brand, VIBE chronicled hip hop, R&B, and the urban youth culture prevalent in the 90s. Documented with high quality photography and journalism, VIBE secured some of the largest names in music and popular culture to grace their covers. The test issue of the magazine, in fall of 1992 featured Treach, from Naughty by Nature, and the first official issue of VIBE featured Snoop Dogg, in 1993. 

In commemoration of the 10 year anniversary, Nike developed an exclusive hyperstrike VIBE colorway of one of Hip Hop’s favorite silhouettes, the Nike Air Force 1. Designed by the VIBE’s art director, Raul Rivera, the VIBE Air Force 1 is inspired by the first issue of the magazine. 

This sample, while slightly different, takes a simpler approach. Dressed in an all white leather upper, the standout detail is the black embroidered ‘VIBE’ logo at the heel and insole. 

Samples are sneakers made by the manufacturer either for promotional purposes or for testing various aspects of a design. They are far rarer than the general release pairs.