Concepts' Deon Point Hints at Nike Air Max 1/Burst Collab

For over a decade, Concepts has treated longtime and new fans to handfuls of sneaker collaborators every year. And while the Massachusetts-based institution has delivered concept-driven product with some of the industry's biggest players, its work with Nike has been amongst the most consistent and compelling.

Last night, the boutique's creative director Deon Point posted a series of slides to his Instagram account. In addition to showcasing a capsule collection by Concepts and Burton featuring artwork by Todd Bratrud, Point shared a 4-second video depicting two swoosh-branded sneakers. While not uncommon for a longtime Nike collaborator to tease samples of upcoming collaborations, something was different about Point's latest sneak-peek: the shoes featured color-changing profile swooshes and glow-in-the-dark outsoles.

At quick glance, the sneaker is unequivocally a Nike Air Max, but closer inspection leaves one asking, Which one?

Point hasn't confirmed nor denied whether or not the duo he teased is an actual collaboration in the works. His audience, however, has quickly demanded that the project become actualized (with footwear customizer @garrettpeoplesny even leaving a comment reading, "Just remember who did it first", a nod to his own work bringing LED lights to custom Air Force 1 Mids).

The sneakers' most eye-catching detail is the sole unit, which has been depicted with either orange or green glow-in-the-dark traction. Visible Air units at the heel, however, also demand attention with their size and 270-degree setup. The plump Air bubble isn't original to the Nike Air Max 1–which appears across the upper–raising speculation about Concepts' potential canvas. It's likely Point and team will combine two Air Max silhouettes à la Sean Wotherspoon in 2018. The 270-degree Air unit debuted on the Air Max 93, but also appeared on the Air Burst from 1994.

“Note”Nike Air Max 93 'Dusty Cactus' (2018). Photo via Nike.

Both models have long-been overshadowed by other sneakers featuring visible Nike Air, but their cult-like followings have implored the brand bring them back for years. The Swoosh's ongoing Big Bubble revival (which lands on the Air Max 95 'Neon' next) is the perfect opportunity to return the Air Max 93 and Air Burst to former glory. Concepts' co-sign would help the widely-unheralded styles enjoy a successful retro run.

As aforementioned, the shoes Point teased consist of an Air Max 1 upper. Lit, dynamic profile swooshes aren't original to Tinker Hatfield's design from 1987, but the bulk of the top-half remains true to the icon. Speckled detailing across the upper, however, contributes to the Air Max hybrids' possible concept: aurora borealis (or Northern Lights). The luminous touches across the unreleased product are joined by a playful and clever elongated miniature swoosh on the lateral mudguard–a detail stylized after a shooting star.

Previously, Jordan Brand helped Colombian superstar J Balvin bring lights to his Air Jordan 2 collaboration (a first for the Air Jordan series). While possible, the collaborator has since shared that the design touch was difficult to lock down and increased the MSRP of his project to $300–an inline pair retails for $175. It's possible Deon Point and the Concepts squad will benefit from Jordan Brand's trial-and-error, but the Air Max hybrid collaboration should still be expected to retail for at least $200.

If the teased Nikes release, a launch will likely take place between now and March or between September and the end of the year to coincide with the Northern Lights phenomenon.

For more sneaker news, check out the Air Jordan 4 'White Cement' set to return in May.