The Latest Nike Collection Celebrates Native American Communities
Nike's N7 collection celebrates 10 years of supporting Native American and aboriginal communities. Through collaborating with Pendleton, the latest designs utilize prints that embody the lifelong tradition of rug weaving through looms. N7 designer Tracie Jackson honored the skills that her great grandmother (a member of the Black Streaked Wood People clan of the Navajo Nation) taught her by creating thoughtful patterns with her graphic design background.
"When I became an N7 designer I wanted to represent people authentically," says Jackson. "I go into little details like line and colors. Things like colors have so much detail for why they’re there and why we choose them."
The collection includes blankets, sneakers, sweatshirts, and t-shirts all containing the storm pattern. This pattern was a favorite of Jackson's great grandmother and contains meaningful elements like zig-zags that represent lightning and the step patterns signifying the Mesas of Monument Valley in AZ.
"I’m very hands-on with my design process. A lot of native runners reached out to me asking for an N7 version of the Pegasus shoe. and I want to bring the voices of our community in. As native people, our feet are actually wider and flat, so the Pegasus shoe is the most ideal shoe for our body when it comes to running."
The colorful collection is available to shop online now. You can learn more about the N7 Fund and its work, an organization that is committed to moving the youth in Native American communities through sports.
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
