AMYIAH'S AIR MAX THEA ULTRA FLYKNIT
BEHIND THE DESIGN
Amyiah Robinson is all about staying true to her roots, and her women’s Air Max Thea Ultra Flyknit from the 2017 Doernbecher Freestyle collection is a reflection of that intent. Featuring a wealth of bright colors and personal symbols, Amyiah’s design came to fruition thanks to the help of her dedicated team of Nike designers and developers. Material Designer Vessela Yordanova, Footwear Developer Janet Chan, Product Developer Lisa Nishimoto and Graphic Designer Jeremy Pettis worked closely with Amyiah from first drawing to final sample in order to perfect her collection.
“When you look back at Amyiah’s original drawings, the final product is fairly close to that original intent,” says Jeremy. “She had doodled a ton of different patterns, including polka dot and striped patterns, so those evolved through rounds with a number of color palettes.” Amyiah is a rock star in everyday life, and her Air Max Thea Ultra Flyknit states that loud and proud with a custom graphic on the heel, just under the heart-emblazoned heel tab.
“It was cool that she selected a juxtaposition of carbon fiber and some soft, silky materials. She is a tough cookie, and her personal juxtaposition really matches the shoe's design,” says Vessela. “We also took some of the details that Jeremy designed, like the heart and the polka dot to tie the collection together.” Jeremy adds, “Amyiah being a little irreverent really inspired the collection."
“Amyiah was very direct, and it was awesome, because she immediately knew what she wanted,” says Vessela. “The collaboration was awesome. Everyone was super excited and it felt like building a community rather than just a project." As a final surprise touch, Amyiah's sneaker features her key message on the outsole - STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF. This mantra not only inspires her, but it has also taken on special meaning with her design team who helped bring the unforgettable footwear and apparel to life.
