For his latest collaboration, Champagne Papi looked to the Swoosh archives.
Three years since its inception, Nocta (Drake’s sub-label with Nike) has garnered attention for its observational approach to clothing and footwear design, inspired by the uniforms seen on the streets, for those on the move and always ready to adapt into new environments. Nocta was launched in 2020, named after Drake’s nocturnal creative process.
Nike has previously awarded these partnerships to athletes such as Micheal Jordan, placing Drake in a unique position as a musician with his own label for the Swoosh brand, injecting a fresh and exciting perspective into the products released. Having previously worked on the Nocta Hot step and Air Force 1, the Beaverton by way of Toronto imprint has produced sought-after sneakers and attracted a loyal army of fans in its short history, taking inspiration from retro basketball sneakers for its newest footwear offering.
For its latest venture, Nocta has looked to the ‘90s, building on an iconic silhouette designed for the hardwood of the basketball court. For the Nocta x Nike Glide, the streetwear label has taken the Nike Zoom Flight 95 and updated it with unique features, resulting in a new product that feels warmly familiar. The original Flight 95 was made from suede. However, the music mogul has constructed the legacy silhouette from breathable mesh for the Glide. The chunky ‘bugeye’ midsole associated with the style has been carried over, with a fourth “eye” added as part of an asymmetrical look.
While fans were first treated to a black and silver colourway, a vibrant trio of Slime Green, Bright Crimson, and All White hues have been teased online.
The original Nike Zoom Flight 95 was designed by Eric Avar in 1995 and was a popular style amongst basketball fans and sneakerheads through the early 2000s. The futuristic sneaker drew on science and art alongside the energetic on-court success of NBA star Jason Kidd. The noughties favourite received the Supreme treatment in 2022, dressed in a limited edition bandana print for the Nike Supreme x Air Zoom Flight.