Tom Sachs and Nike are poised to resume their NikeCraft partnership after a nearly 18-month hiatus caused by reports of the artist’s inappropriate and cruel behavior towards his studio staff. “Tom has demonstrated and recommitted to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity,” Nike said in a recently released statement. “We can confirm that our work with Tom will continue and this next chapter of NikeCraft will uphold our shared passion for team, product, and storytelling excellence. More details to come in 2025.”
Sachs and Nike began working together in 2012 and, in the past decade-plus, have created several smash-hit sneakers: 2012’s original Mars Yard, 2017’s Mars Yard 2.0 (pictured above), 2018’s Mars Yard Overshoe and 2022’s General Purpose Shoe, among a wealth of unreleased samples, kids-sized drops, and even a custom Cole Haan wingtip. However, the partnership was suspended in May 2023 after an explosive article from Curbed that shined a light on the secular world of Sachs’ studio, where assistants were held to a strict standard of rules — Sach’s famed “10 Bullets” – and the artist would often scream, throw objects and make inappropriate comments including joking about a “rape room” as well as appearing on video calls in his underwear.
“I’m honored that we will continue to build together as a NikeCraft team and community,” Sachs himself said in a statement issued through Nike. “The Mars Yard 3.0 is in its final stage of development and is currently being wear-tested. I’m excited to share more soon.”
The resumption of the NikeCraft partnership with Sachs, a controversial partner, does have some recent precedent in Nike’s collaborative universe. After overcrowding and stampedes lead to multiple deaths at Travis Scott‘s Astroworld festival in November 2021, Scott and Nike didn’t release any more sneakers until May 2022, when the two dropped new takes on the Air Max 1 and Air Trainer 1, described as “CACT.US CORP” collaborations and with the product page on SNKRS referencing “Cactus Jack” instead of Scott himself. The rapper also reportedly donated some of the proceeds from the collaboration to his Project HEAL initiative.
At the time of writing, an official release date for the Mars Yard 3.0 has yet to be shared. However, more info is likely to surface soon.
