For the fourth consecutive year, the brand launches a collection inspired by Mexico's most iconic and globally recognized tradition: El Día De Los Muertos. Dating back 3,000 years, this Mexican celebration honors the eternal memories that create strong family bonds through a historic Mexican tradition. And this year, the sportswear brand once again pays tribute to Hispanic culture through its iconic silhouettes.
When Mexican Culture Inspires the Swoosh Brand
As you may have guessed, Nike continues to highlight Mexican culture worldwide, this time drawing on the heartfelt offering as a way to remember those who are no longer with us, as well as the key elements that compose it, paying tribute to loved ones beyond the physical realm who become eternal through memory.
Nike draws inspiration from Mexico's rich culture, where joy inevitably coexists with death and where traditions and rituals are accompanied by parades, songs, dances, carnivals and grand festive meals. And the Swoosh brand goes all out, retracing four of these traditions through a complete pack called Somos Familia with the tagline "In our memories, in our hearts, throughout life and beyond... we are family"
From the Nike Air Force 1 to the Nike Dunk High, through the Nike Air Max 1 to the Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT, the brand uses four of its flagship models to present a bold and luminous collection rooted in Hispanic culture. And while each silhouette is inspired by elements related to the Day of the Dead, they are no less unique and vibrant.
- Nike Air Max 1 WMNS "Somos Familia"
Photo Credits: Nike
The dominant orange color found on the Air Max 1 is inspired by the Mexican flower, Cempasúchil, also known as Marigold, which is used by families to color the path that the dead follow to return to the land of the living. Floral engravings also accentuate this Mexican floral theme.
Nike Air Max 1 WMNS "Somos Familia"
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- Nike Air Force 1 Low "Somos Familia"
Photo Credits: Nike
While the other silhouettes feature a subtle touch of this representative orange hue, the brand also relied on embroidered and stitched details for the Air Force 1 Low to allude to Pan de Muerto, bread traditionally baked during el Día de los Muertos. With a circular shape symbolizing the cycle of life and death and vibrant hues that bring extra energy, this Mexican version brilliantly conveys a new tradition from this unique culture.
Nike Air Force 1 Low "Somos Familia"
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- Nike Dunk High "Somos Familia"
Photo Credits: Nike
Additionally, the Swoosh brand offers a colorful Nike Dunk High combining intricate embroidery with a two-tone base. While one half is black, the other displays a superb brown shade, and they respectively represent salt and water, common elements in offerings to honor the dead and guide their souls home. According to tradition, salt prevents the body from losing its essence while water quenches the soul's thirst on its journey to the offering.
Nike Dunk High "Somos Familia"
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- Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT "Somos Familia"
Photo Credits: Nike
Finally, the brand presents an elegant Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT inspired by the traditional candles placed in Day of the Dead offerings, designed to guide the souls of the departed on their journey home.
Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT "Somos Familia"
View on the calendarWhile the Air Max 1 WMNS "Somos Familia" is a Mexico exclusive that released on October 18 on the Mexican SNKRS, the other three silhouettes released on October 22, 2022 via Nike's Mexican platform. However, the Nike Dunk High and the Nike Air Force 1 Low also released on October 26 in the United States and received a European release on November 2, 2022 on Nike!
A "Somos Familia" Capsule Collection Accompanies the Pack
Nike did not stop at creating a pack of its flagship silhouettes. Indeed, the sportswear giant also prepared a capsule collection in the colors of this millennial celebration inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
Also named Somos Familia, the merch includes tee-shirts, half-zip crewnecks and jackets featuring the elements, colors and designs found on the sneakers.
Photo Credits: @lostenisdemau (Instagram)
A true tribute to Mexican culture, the entire Somos Familia collection was available via Nike's Mexican platform on October 22 and also released in the United States on October 26, 2022.
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