Since last year’s “Strong and Sure” Air Force 1 customization, Nike and Serena Williams have teamed up to create a brand-new model – “Summit White” Nike Air Force 1 Serena
The “Summit White” Nike Air Force 1 Serena now out for sale was designed by the tennis legend together with the Serena Williams Design Crew.
This is according to the SNKRS product description of the shoe. The upper part is made of pebbled leather and has a new gold zipper shroud at the midfoot, as well as a dual-layered Swoosh on the side.
The tongue of the shoe features Williams’ initials and the statement, “A collection made to inspire change and impact the globe,” which makes it stand out from the crowd.
The women’s exclusive “Summit White” Nike Air Force 1 Serena will be available on SNKRS starting Feb. 18 for $130.
Does Serena Williams Have Her Own Shoes?
Serena Williams Summit White Nike Air Force 1 Serena. Photo/Hypebae
In 2019, Nike announced that the Serena-inspired footwear and accessories would be created by a team of emerging New York City designers working with Nike in 2020.
Nike further stated that a group of New York City-based designers from schools, institutions and groups including Harlem’s Fashion Row would get the opportunity to work on their designs after October 18, 2021.
The group was to meet the Nike teams at the company’s headquarters in New York.
Nike design teams set up a series of challenges for them to complete while they’re there.
Ten designers were chosen from the pool of candidates and invited to Nike World Headquarters in January 2020 to begin a seven-month apprenticeship.
It would end in the capsule project followed by a selection process scheduled for January 2020 but coronavirus pandemic happened.
Nike Chief Design Officer John Hoke said then that this was a great opportunity for designers to improve their craft and creativity.
Hoke said the platform giving designers an opportunity to further Nike’s design would help shape its long-term dream.
Is Serena Williams Sponsored By Nike?
Serena served as Nike’s face for its clothing, apparel, and footwear.
On the tennis court, Serena would wear Nike’s special clothing and shoes as a part of her contract with the sports apparel company dictated.
Are Serena Williams’ Nike earnings high? According to the Associated Press and ESPN, she secured a $40 million endorsement agreement with Nike in 2003.
Contracts with performance incentives included an option for a three-year extension for $55 million if Serena met them. At the time, it was the most lucrative deal ever signed by a female athlete.
When she signed with Nike, Serena’s five-year deal with Puma was coming to an end. She was set to receive less than one-fourth of what she would receive from Nike.
In September 2021, Antonio Bertone, Puma’s global director of brand management at the time, told The Undefeated that Puma wanted to maintain Serena as their ambassador but Nike outbid them.
According to Bertone, Puma paid as much as they could afford for an athlete at the time.
But, they always knew Nike would out bit them.
What Does Serena Williams Do For Nike?
Serena Williams Summit White Nike Air Force 1 Serena. Photo/Terrer Cat
With custom-made tennis costumes that made her a fashion icon in her early 20s, 40-year-old became an ambassador for Puma.
But her 18-year relationship with Nike, the brand she joined in 2003, overshadowed her initial endorsement contract.
Bertone recalls when he first Serena, her negotiation took twelve hours and she dozed off at the conference hall as everything was negotiated.
In her autobiography, On The Line, published in 2009, she describes falling asleep with her head resting on the conference table.
The talks continued well after midnight and had already lasted more than 12 hours. In the end, the meeting ended with Zeitz and Puma making a multimillion-dollar commitment, as well as a verbal agreement from Serena and Richard Williams.
She further notes in her autobiography that: “I could have signed with any sports brand, but this was the most promising and felt right for me.”
Now a 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena made a fortune over in the last decade with Nike.
Nike celebrated Serena’s return to Paris Clay in 2018 with a customized, special-edition Nike Blazer.
The shoe’s design has Serena’s SW emblem on the laces and tongue tab, as well as a leather upper with textured elements and a textured outsole.
There was limited stock for Nike Blazer Mid SW in Europe and North America.
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