Nike is opening a blink and you'll miss it pop-up in downtown Toronto this week. The Queen Street West installation is set to recognize Toronto’s Air Force 1 loving, unsung heroes who are igniting change across the city.
The Nike Air Force 1 Studio celebrates and recognizes four unsung heroes by shining a light on their story and collective impact. The Toronto portion of the campaign spotlights tattoo artist Prairie Koo (co-owner of Ink and Water Tattoo, where a portion of the proceeds from every tattoo go to sketch, a charity offering arts-based programming to youth in the city who are navigating poverty, living homeless or otherwise on the margins; visual storyteller Mark Vallena (the co-founder of Rise Tribe, which focuses on re-defining the next generation of Filipino-Canadians through mentorship, education and leadership; photographer Trae (a creative who works with The Kickback, and is passionate about increasing access to play for kids + the importance of sneaker culture); and Rookz (the founder of Sandbox Studio, which she created to help increase visibility for creatives in Toronto, and provide them with resources and tools that otherwise were not available in the city).
Of course, the forces in the community were all snapped for the campaign wearing the latest AF1 kicks, including The Air Force 1 Utility and The Sage High:
Toronto’s Unsung Heroes installation will also feature a variety of immersive experiences including: The Sole Moment, a large oversized 3D Air Force 1 sole art piece that visitors are encouraged to sign and The Force Work + Shop, a space that provides the opportunity to workshop and customize apparel and sneakers.
Visitors are encouraged to get in the holiday spirit and contribute previously worn footwear to access a spot in one of the limited customization sessions. All footwear contributions will be donated to Trae’s charity, The Kickback.
You can learn more about Toronto's unsung heroes and check out Nike’s Air Force 1 Studio at 950 Queen Street West in Toronto on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8. Open daily from 11am – 9pm.
