In this corner: Classic sneaker models get wrestling treatment

This Nike collection is inspired by Mexico’s Lucha Libre

Lucha Libre is a famed term in Mexico used for professional wrestling. The game is characterized with colorful masks, vibrant costumes, and showmanship. With this, Nike is picking up inspiration from the wrestling culture for its new collection.

For footwear, Nike models are getting blends of exotic leathers and rich textiles for fun detail applications. The Air Force 1 is getting a metallic leather upper with removable synthetic masks on both shoes, forming the left and right eye slots. For the Blazer, the iteration will get a satiny woven upper, faux snakeskin paneling and lacing inspired by the back lacing of a wrestling mask. As for the Air Max 90, the pair will come with a bisected black and white color scheme which is a nod to famous Lucha Libre rivalries pitting good against evil or as Mexicans call it “Los Técnicos vs. Los Rudos.”

This line will include two styles of hoodies and t-shirts which feature graphics and material treatments still borrowed from the Lucha Libre culture like masks, other wrestling paraphernalia, and posters.

“We see sharing cultural expressions as a way of creating relationships,” says Carlos Hernández, Mexico City merchandising director for Geo Express Lane. “When you’re deeply invested in a culture, you share its passions and interests. By paying close attention to Lucha Libre tradition, we get to use footwear and apparel to share a piece of Mexican culture with the world in places like Seoul, Tokyo, Brazil, and more. With a number of Mexico GEL collections releasing soon, we’re creating the product with that same imaginative focus on cultural detail.”