Jay Chou Celebrates Music with PHANTACI x Nike Air Max 95 “Sanddrift” Collab

Taiwanese multi-hyphenate Jay Chou took to social media in mid-August to tease a collaborative Nike Air Max 95. Today, official photos of the PHANTACI project have officially surfaced.

Initial photos of the unreleased Air Max focused on the tongue area and outsole, leaving much to the imagination. A white, black, and gold color scheme could be discerned from the close-up shots, injecting a regal air into Sergio Lozano's 30-year-old design. Chou's name replaced typical airmax branding on the tops of tongues, while a guitar pick-shaped charm further differentiated the sneaker from other releases of the Big Bubble-donning silhouette. A retail edition of the collaboration doesn't include Jaychou text, but it indulges in all other creative touches by PHANTACI.

The collaboration is clad in a "Sanddrift/Brown/Black/Dark Driftwood" color scheme. Neither tone is new to the Air Max 95, but their combination and execution is. Nature-inspired panels along the profiles don wood reminiscent grains, which go from light to dark the closer to the tongue. Reinforcement around the toe follows suit. Traditional lace loops along the tongue are replaced with a FlyWire-like system that extends string from the laces to underneath the upper's base. The design choice effectively provides different support and containment than standard editions of Lozano's creation, while simultaneously nodding to Chou's musical talents.

The aforementioned guitar pick charm pairs with wooden string instruments-inspired details to bring the Taiwanese creative's interests and profession to an Air Max sneaker. The midsole allows for the ornate top-half to revel in the spotlight. PHANTACI-branding appears on the outsole, cementing Chou's boutique in Nike, Inc. history.

A security tag-like hangtag joins the mix. Interestingly enough, the attachment features Jordan Brand's Jumpman logo. Whether this is alluding to a PHANTACI x Air Jordan project is yet to be seen.

Enjoy official photos of the "Sanddrift"-clad Air Max 95 collaboration by PHANTACI ahead. Firm Nike.com release details have yet to be disclosed by either party involved.

For more footwear news from the Swoosh conglomerate, check out the LeBron 23, a milestone launch for the four-time NBA champion.