Update. Nike has resumed its partnership with Tom Sachs after putting the relationship on pause. Full details can be read here.
Earlier this week, we broke the news of Nike having Tom Sachs’ Mars Yard 3.0 in the chamber and ready for release. Even with the highly anticipated sneaker within its system, there still remained the chance that Nike wouldn’t go forward with the release. Now, Nike has confirmed it has no release dates set in stone for the time being.
“We are not working with Tom’s studio at this time and have no release dates planned,” Nike said in a statement to Complex.
The key words here are “at this time,” which doesn’t signal a real commitment either way. At the very least, Nike’s relationship with Sachs is on hold — but the statement certainly leaves room for the company to revisit its stance in the future.
Earlier this year, Curbed published a bombshell story accusing Sachs of creating a toxic culture for employees at his New York City studio. The troubling descriptions of the workplace included a storage area nicknamed “the rape room,” Nazi and pornographic imagery, unwanted sexual comments, and expectations that rivaled that of a cult.
Until today, Nike had said only that it is “deeply concerned by the very serious allegations” and that it has been “in contact with Tom and his studio seeking to better understand this situation and how these issues are being addressed.” Prior to the allegations, additional versions of the NikeCraft x Tom Sachs GPS in Gorge Green and Rattan had also been slated to drop later this year. With images of the Nike General Purpose Shoe Tom Sachs White Vivid Sulfur loading to Nike, it led many to speculate that Nike and Tom Sachs may begin their collaborative efforts again. Again, Complex was able to confirm with sources at Nike that there are no plans to release any Nike x Tom Sachs projects at this time.
After staying quiet publicly, Sachs made public May 10 the letter he wrote to his staff in March in addition to posting a hand-written "update" on Instagram. Sachs denied the accusations of harassment in both mediums and didn't use the words "sorry" or any form of "apology" in either. However, he did admit to saying things he regrets and being "impulsive and even aggressive in my language and my approach." He also promised to build "a studio culture that better aligns with the values that I explore and evolve as an artist. While Sachs didn't comment directly on his relationship with Nike, he did say that "my art and personal/professional growth is my main focus."
For now, it would seem as if there’s a scenario in which Sachs redeems himself in the eyes of Nike, if not the wider public, and their relationship can proceed. A firmer stance is essentially being kicked down the road for later, if we even see one. It’s also possible that Nike never talks about it again and essentially “quiet quits” the artist.
Keep it locked to our Twitter and Mobile App to stay up to date on any future developments.
In this article
Ian Servantes is a writer and editor based out of Brooklyn. He's previously covered fashion, sneakers, and pop culture for outlets including Input, Highsnobiety, and Complex.
