The Air Max 97 LX Swarovski was a women’s-only release that set Swarovski Crystal Fabric into the silver upper of the Air Max 97, in its original Silver Bullet colors. It followed a black Swarovski pair from March 2017 and released on September 7, 2017, at select Nike retailers for $400. Complex put the count at 55,690 crystals. We made it internally, Nike Brand Design EMEA with Nike Sportswear, and Nike Brand Design briefed and creative directed the outside agencies.
Why it looks like this
The original lines, in crystal. Nike’s launch copy said Swarovski lends its crystal shine to the silver upper to create a luxe effect that “highlights the OG 97 design lines,” with a white sole and the visible Max Air unit set against the metallic tones above.
A material project. Complex quoted Marie Crow, material design director for Nike Women Sportswear, describing the shoe as a material innovation project. Complex reported that the crystals came as Swarovski’s Crystal Fabric and that the pair was sized for women only.
This was such an exciting project in terms of material innovation.
Marie Crow, material design director, Nike Women Sportswear, source
