A$AP Bari is calling out Nike for what he sees as a blatant case of stolen design. The VLONE founder took to social media today to accuse the Swoosh of ripping off his brand’s signature Air Force 1 colorway with its latest “Black/Tan” release.
At first glance, the similarities are hard to ignore. Both sneakers are built on the classic Air Force 1 Low silhouette and feature a black leather upper accented by bold orange (or tan) contrast stitching and matching Swooshes. The overall color blocking, with black midsoles, orange details, and even similar accent placements give Nike’s new drop an unmistakable resemblance to the VLONE pair that first debuted in 2017.
A$AP Bari’s original VLONE Air Force 1s became an instant grail in the sneaker world, known for their premium tumbled leather, orange Swoosh, and heel embroidery reading “Every Living Creative Dies Alone.” Although Nike’s new general release skips the text and VLONE branding, the color combo and layout remain very similar.
While Nike has long recycled its own design language, this release feels a little too close for A$AP Bari. With no official collaboration or credit to VLONE, it’s possible the new pair might mislead casual buyers and diminish the legacy of the original collab.
So far, Nike hasn’t responded to A$AP Bari’s allegations. Whether it’s coincidence or copy, the timing and design have definitely sparked new conversations about originality in sneaker culture.
