AIR MAX 1 EM LAM
ART NUMBER: BMN871-M1-C1
MADE ON: 2006
MADE IN: THAILAND
FACTORY:
STREET NAME: EMINEMS/PROOF
This was a very special collaboration for sneaker lovers worldwide, and the hype was unreal.
2006 was the year Nike announced to the world that they were partnering with the world famous rapper Eminem to produce 8 pairs of Air Max’s, with each model designed, signed, individually numbered and mixed up by Eminem . Eight pairs of each silhouette were produced and auctioned off for charity. All proceeds of the auction were to go to the children’s charity run by www.ninemillion.org and the Marshall Mather’s Foundation.
To kick off the hype there was to be a live auction of two different models in each store, set in-store in 4 Nike Town locations around the world. The rest were to be put on eBay where you had to register to bid on the shoes. Many missed out because they didn’t register beforehand.
The shoe itself is another beauty to come out from Nike’s cutting room floor. The upper consists of leather and patent leather with a mesh tongue. The two leathers are mixed subtly and blend well together, with the panels individually crafted to perfection. The patent white mudguard surrounds the front of the shoe and stops midsection at the sides, then continues in premium varsity royal blue leather around the heel where it’s met with another cut of patent leather on the upper heel. It’s finished with a picture of the late rapper and Eminem’s protégé Proof of D-12 (RIP PROOF).
Inside the gut of shoe is varsity red, and you can see the individually numbered edition of the shoe (the sneaker pictured is 4 of 8). The inner-sole is dipped in varsity royal blue and also features the picture of slain rapper, Proof of D12.
The midsole is touched with red and blue where the indents are which makes the shoe pop just that bit more, and to finish off this magnificent shoe the patent varsity red swoosh, which of course is beautifully crafted and placed with precision, as is the red outsole.
There are only 8 official pairs of the Air Max 1’s, each are numbered by shoe and box, signed by Eminem and come with the certificate of authenticity. This was for a great cause, to feed your addiction and to save a life at the same time. Win Win!
Text: Stevey Ryder
