Original Story (10/07/23): Nike Sportswear is commemorating the Mexican holiday of Día De Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a special release that consists of a women’s Dunk Low and an Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2. This pack marks the second “Familia” drop from Nike this year, following up the pack released in September for Hispanic Heritage Month.
In Mexican culture, Día De Muertos is a day for the living to celebrate their eternal connection with their late loved ones. There is a ton of ancient folklore that surrounds this holiday, including the story of the marigold and the hummingbird, which is the main source of inspiration for the “Día De Muertos” Dunk Low. The story goes that during Aztec times, there was a girl named Xóchitl (which means flower) and a boy named Huitzilin (hummingbird) that grew up together and eventually fell in love. The two would often climb up to the top of a mountain together and leave flower offerings for the sun god Tonatiuh. When war came, Huitzilin was tasked with joining other warriors on the battlefield, and he was tragically killed. After hearing this new, Xochitl returned to the mountain and begged Tonatiuh to reunite them. Tonatiuh,, moved by her emotion, transformed Xochitl into a Cempasúchil (marigold flower), and reincarnated Huitzilin into a hummingbird. Since then, the marigold has been used in Día De Muertos celebrations, and it is said that there is always a hummingbird nearby. The Dunk Low honors this story with an embroidered hummingbird and marigold on the lateral heel.
The Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2, on the other hand, comes in a black and white colorway, reminiscent of all of the skull and skeleton imagery that surrounds the holiday. The shoe comes equipped with brush-off leather upper that fades to reveal an intricate marigold design on the side panels and toe box. Rounding out the design is a skull with a feathered headdress embroidered onto the lateral heel, and this same image is found printed on the midsoles. Both pairs come in special packaging with “Familia” branding.
The Nike Dunk Low and Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2 drop on October 21st on SNKRS and at select retailers. Check out both pairs below.
Update (10/17/23): Nike has unveiled the full collection for Día de Muertos 2023, officially titled “Con Mi Familia” (With My Family). In addition to the aforementioned Dunk Low and Jordan 1, the collection includes a Blazer Mid and Air Max 1.
Every shoe in this Dia de Muertos collection was designed to represent a different emotions felt while grieving: sorrow in the Air Jordan 1, connection in the Dunk Low, longing in the Blazer Mid, and love in the Air Max 1. The gloom and sadness in the AJ1 is well countered by the festive pink Air Max 1 (Día De Muertos is a celebration, after all). To represent love, the AM1 features a motif of two hummingbirds kissing, together making the shape of a heart. Meanwhile, the Blazer features a vintage look for a nostalgic feel and is embroidered with a moon icon on the heel, representing looking up at the moon and longing for someone far away.
The full collection will launch on October 18th exclusively for Nike Members in Mexico. The global release goes down October 21st on SNKRS and at select retailers. Check out all four pairs below.
WMNS Nike Dunk Low “Día De Muertos”
Color: Black/Khaki-Metallic Gold
Style Code: FQ8148-010
Release Date: October 18, 2023 (Mexico)
Release Date: October 21, 2023 (Global)
Price: $125 USD
Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2 “Día De Muertos”
Color: Black/Black-Pale Ivory
Style Code: FQ8155-010
Release Date: October 18, 2023 (Mexico)
Release Date: October 21, 2023 (Global)
Price: $165 USD
Nike Air Max 1 “Día De Muertos”
Color: Hyper Pink/Sail-Opti Yellow-Green Strike
Style Code: FQ8172-645
Release Date: October 18, 2023 (Mexico)
Release Date: October 21, 2023 (Global)
Price: $160 USD
Nike Blazer Mid ’77 “Día De Muertos”
Color: Summit White/Black-Metallic Gold-Hyper Pink
Style Code: FQ8173-104
Release Date: October 18, 2023 (Mexico)
Release Date: October 21, 2023 (Global)
Price: $120 USD
