Athletes and tastemakers alike desired the silhouette – a testament to Bowerman’s knack for designing footwear that was as comfortable as it was handsome. In August '66, Onitsuka Tiger agreed to start producing pairs of the Cortez and two years later, the shoe became a best-seller for both brands. After much deliberation, Bowerman christened his creation the Cortez. Eventually, Bowerman invented a prototype superior to any of the Japanese label’s offerings. It wasn’t long before he began to experiment with pre-existing Onitsuka Tiger training shoes, Frankensteining them together with new outsoles, midsoles, toe boxes and lacing systems to create newfangled designs.
Throughout his tenure at the University of Oregon, Bowerman would build and modify running shoes for his athletes tweaking for things like cushioning, energy return and breathability.
And so, on 25th January 1964, Blue Ribbon Sports was born. To his delight, Bowerman didn’t just want to support his venture, but he also wanted to become his business partner. The young entrepreneur hoped that Bowerman – a father figure of sorts to him – could assist in flogging a few pairs of the low-cost shoes. Once the trainers arrived in the US a year and a bit later (DHL wasn’t founded until 1969, in case you’re wondering), Knight sent two pairs to his former track and field coach, Bill Bowerman. (Yes, we’re going there – get comfortable.) After stumbling upon Onitsuka Tiger sneakers, Knight struck a deal with founder Mr Onitsuka to distribute his sports-centric footwear in the States. How did we all get here? Things kicked off when Phil Knight, a 24-year-old Stamford graduate, took a trip to Kobe, Japan, in 1962. Consequently, the bon ton now share the same penchant for Nikes as the stalwart sneakerheads who’ve been sporting the label since day dot. And thanks to the likes of Kim Jones, Chitose Abe and the late Virgil Abloh – designers who’ve incorporated Swoosh-adorned sneaks into their recent runway collections – the brand has finally reached the apex of fashion. The people’s ‘shoeniform’ of choice, if you will. They’re the throughline of the world’s shoe racks. Nike trainers are for everyone, from the city-dwellers to the hoop shooters to the marathon runners.
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