UPDATE 10/23/25: John Geiger recently revealed the Nike Air Force 1 “Misplaced Checks” on Instagram. While it’s still uncertain whether this pair is an official Nike collaboration, Geiger did confirmed on X that the sneakers are not a custom. Stay tuned for more updates.
Original Story 10/15/25:
“They ain’t customs.” That’s how John Geiger set the internet buzzing after revealing what looks like a potential Nike Air Force 1 collaboration.
The independent designer, famous for his GF-01 silhouette and “Misplaced Checks” concept, first stirred up the sneaker world in 2015 with his take on Nike’s popular silhouette, adding a dose of luxury to the icon. His most recent iteration from 2017, made in collaboration with The Shoe Surgeon, reaffirmed the designer’s position as a purveyor of edgy aesthetics. However, in 2021, he was slapped with a copyright infringement lawsuit by the Swoosh regarding similarities between Nike products and his own work. The following year, the parties involved reached a settlement, thus clearing the way for the artist, both from a legal and creative standpoint.
Now, the teaser from Geiger for what could be the next chapter in the storyline featuring a close-up on what appears to be a white tumbled-leather upper with Swoosh-shaped pieces in overlapping exotic textures, “Geiger” lace tips, and branded tissue paper — which are also some of the most distinctive elements of the previously mentioned work — is the sneaker culture comeback moment we didn’t know we needed.
A court battle, a settlement, and then potentially an official collaboration between Nike and the infamous independent designer? Add some art, controversy, a healthy dose of heritage, and you have a winning recipe. Still, the sneakers in question lack any direct connection to the Swoosh, but this being the online universe, the brand’s comeback could be closer than we think.
For now, stay tuned for more information as the project progresses.
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