Metastatic Breast Cancer Research
Custom Nike Air Force 1 (2024)
Metastatic Breast Cancer Research
Custom Nike Air Force 1 - (2024)
COMING SOON
I made these custom Nike Air Force 1’s with metastatic breast cancer awareness in mind, and the colors/materials chosen reflect that very cause.
Colors
Cork
Pacific
Phontel
Vera
Heart
Canvas
To begin, I built a color palette inspired by METAvivor's teal, green and pink MBC ribbon, selecting 6 unique hex codes and naming the colors “cork” tan, “pacific” blue, “phontel” green, “vera” pink, “heart” red and “canvas” white.
These colors don’t quite fit into a solely analogous, complimentary, monochromatic or triadic color scheme; but I chose them because their psychology aligns with the journey of surviving cancer, and cancer doesn’t play by the rules.
Among others, “cork” brings out the feelings of durability, calmness and reassurance; “pacific” the feelings of stress relief, clarity and stability; “phontel” translates to renewal, energy and abundance; “vera” brings the feelings of strength, healing and comfort to mind; “heart” evokes the thought of confidence, courage and attention; and “canvas” carries with it the feelings of simplicity, optimism and new beginnings.
Materials
The materials chosen for this pair were just as intentional and substantial as the colors. Starting from the bottom, the “canvas” white rubber sole acts as a metaphor for a canvas to be painted on; with the medium of dirt, mud and scuffing; a parallel to the experiences of a breast cancer survivor. As these shoes are worn, the white midsoles will be painted by each encounter with the earth’s elements. Each blemish will tell a story, like the events, challenges and changes that a survivor will come to face throughout their diagnosis. The midsole sits atop a “cork” tan outsole, acting as the stable easel; and representing the survivor’s durability, reassurance & foundation. Together, the outsole and midsole house an upper that is comprised of a natural Portuguese oak bark/cotton bonded cork, polypropylene canvas, 1000 denier cordura nylon, Lambskin leather and reflective polyester.
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Cork is noticeably the main material I used this time around; a contrast to the pink patent leather/carbon fiber vinyl combination from 2023. It appears across the majority of each shoe as a metaphor for beating breast cancer, becoming a “champion” and celebrating by popping a champagne bottle.​​
The polypropylene canvas is a biodegradable material that, while still made from plastic, is recyclable, nontoxic and more sustainable than most plastics. It’s also stain, mold, mildew, water and UV-resistant (1000 hour tested); which led me to select it as a symbol for longevity and resilience.
Cordura nylon not only shares the same resistant properties as the polypropylene canvas, but it’s also abrasion resistant as well as sustainable; being made with 100% recycled pre-consumer waste materials.
Carrying over from 2023’s prototype, I used retroreflective polyester again as a call to action. It serves as a reminder for men and women to ‘shine a light’ on themselves, by routinely checking for breast cancer symptoms; a parallel to how illuminating a retroreflective material can be once introduced to a light source. The perforations in the vamp and quarter panels are underlaid with a heat transferred chrome vinyl for that same reason, reminiscent of a mirror.
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Metal accents, such as the custom gold dubrae, 3 and 4mm gold eyelets and METAvivor’s MBC ribbon pin (which you can order here- and I will not receive a commission) were added to accent the cork and overall theme of being a champion.
My favorite element of this pair was also carried over from 2023’s prototype, with the red stitching at the base of the eyestay resembling the heart and pulse rate from an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor. The red shoelaces are a metaphor for continuous life and blood flow to and from the heart; traveling through each eyelet like veins throughout the body.
The goal with this pair and future related items, is to raise both awareness and funding for metastatic breast cancer research. My hope is that one day we can find a cure. With that in mind, each item sold with METAvivor's MBC ribbon logo will see 50% of revenue donated to METAvivor, for the funding of research grants.
METAvivor Research and Support is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for women and men with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and funding research to transition MBC from a terminal illness to a controlled, chronic condition.
This pair of custom footwear is neither an official product of Nike or METAvivor, nor is it a collaboration between either entity; it is an art piece and concept project created independently by Demetrius C. Mensah.
Metastatic breast cancer ribbon logo used by permission of METAvivor Research and Support, Inc.