Paris Fashion Week is never one to disappoint when it comes to surprise sneaker drops and this year was no exception with Vaquera leading the charge. The New York-based label presented its risqué take on the Nike Air Max DN8, and injected some punk energy into Nike’s newest Air Max.

The DN8 has already been a breakout designer hit, finding its way into the remix bins of Patta, PSG, and Cav Empt, just to name a few. But Vaquera’s take is high-fashion irreverent. Glossy white upper is splattered with all-over red lipstick prints for a fresh-bad girl vibe. A burning red Swoosh adds to the chaos, while co-branding makes a landing on the tongue with an oval Vaquera badge. Down below, the classic eight-chamber sole cushioning of the DN8 remains.

The partnership is another example of the continued convergence of sportswear and luxury. While other streetwear partnerships doubled down on cultural narratives, Vaquera goes all in on making a statement. This is the kind of sneaker that polarizes immediately, but it’s the only way to get it right — Nike needs these risks to land Air Max DN8 in the zeitgeist.

The Vaquera x Nike Air Max DN8 is expected to release Holiday 2025 at select retailers and Nike.com. Available in women’s sizing, retail pairs will be priced at $220 USD.

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