When thinking of collaborations for sneakers, Toro y Moi may not be the first musician you may think of specially with a global sneaker company like Nike.
Usually you see these collaborations go to A-list rappers or athletes. But Nike has enlisted Chaz Bundick also known as Toro y Moi and Chaz Bear for their newest footwear and apparel for Nike A.I.R (Artist In Residence) program.
If you look into Chaz’s background this collaboration doesn’t come as much of a surprise. He isn’t simply a pioneer of chillwave music, he’s been doing visual art and design work for years. In 2016 he founded a graphic-design firm called Company Production and has also had a few art shows around the world. Just like the Nike headquarters Bundick is also based in Oregon and has been working on this collaboration for two years according to his Instagram.
Nike revealed two performance propositions co-created with Chaz Bundick before the end of 2020, React Infinity Flyknit and Pegasus 37. For the React Infinity Flyknit, the shoe is primarily in black with Rush Violet and Bright Cactus accents. The Pegasus 37 has the same colour palette except Rush Violet is the man hue. Each feature graphic is unique to Bundick’s design firm, Company Studio. Like the distorted black and white checkerboard pattern that appears on the midsole of the Pegasus 37 whereas a splatter graphic used by Bundick for PLUM, his ambient side project is featured on the React Infinity Run Flyknit.
All the graphic featured on both sneakers also appear on the clothes Chaz Bundick helped to design which include Flex Stride shorts, Dri-Fit tees, Aerobill Tailwind cap, Windrunner jacket and long-sleeve tees all made while keeping runners in mind.
Recently under his artist name Toro y Moi, he has made a cameo on the Eric Andre show and received a Grammy nomination for his song The Difference with Flume in the Best Dance Recording category.
The Nike Running A.I.R Chaz Bundick collection is now available on Nike and Pro-Direct Running.
