[Update 03 Oct] The Air Force 1 Low “We Are Familia” was just released on 1st October as part of the “La Familia” collection, in conjunction with Latino Heritage Month. This’s one of two shoes in the pack, the other being the Nike Air Trainer 1 that surfaced recently. Both pairs are available on Nike.com with these Air Force Ones carrying a price tag of US$120.

Every November, Mexico celebrates Día de Muertos or Day of the Dead. Contrary to All Saints’ Day around the world in the same period, the holiday has taken a less solemn, mournful tone and a more joyful spirit in the country. Families gather to pay respects and reminisce the dearly departed, often sharing funny events and anecdotes.

Image by Karen Castillo Farfán/NPR

The annual celebration sees them building ofrendas (private altars) for the departed, decorated with Mexican cempasúchil (marigold), papel picado (decorative craft paper), and andalfeñique (sugar-crafted) skulls. Nike has paid homage to the tradition over the years through their Día de Muertos collection, using the Day of the Dead’s iconography as design cues.

Deviating from last year’s Mictlān (Aztec underworld) theme, this year walks on a more subtle path, albeit with its own idiosyncrasies.

For a start, there’re the Chenille Swooshes in disparate chrome yellow and green, over the earthy clay canvas textile and suede overlays. The heel counter sees the familiar branding on blue cracked leather, and on the tongue sits the tag with the titular campaign.

If the exterior looks muted compared to previous releases under the collection’s umbrella, that’s because the most ostentatious offering was reserved for the inside. The insole is heavily decorated with vibrant Mexican typography, that reads Somos Familia (We are Family).

The collection will be released in full-family sizing, from adult, grade school, to infant and toddler. There’s no release date yet but it’s safe to presume it would be in October, weeks leading up to the holiday. Trust we’ll give an update once we get word.

“Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.”

To segue from the somber quote, somewhere in the same vein is the Nike LeBron 19 Low “Agimat”, a love letter to Manila and a nod to the Philippines’ cultural history of myth and magic.