Roundel X NikeLAB Zoom Spiridon

After their 2013 collaboration which celebrated the 150th anniversary of London’s Underground transit system, have teamed up once more with Roundel to recognise another iconic aspect of Transport of London – their typographic identity, Johnston.

The Johnston font was commissioned in 1913 and put into action in 1916, making it one of the longest running examples of corporate identity. The bold sans-serif lettering was designed to communicate effectively, without being mistaken for advertising.

https://youtu.be/1ZJGGNhb4IY

The collaborative Nike releases also take cues from the 90s rave scene, which made use of the utilitarian font for its own promotional purposes. The shoes are covered with a print of the font, specifically designed around the shapes of the panels for even coverage. The vamp has been covered with a transparent monofilament mesh, so as not to obscure the typographic motif, while an iridescent Swoosh and accents demand just as much attention as the pattern itself.

The Roundel x NikeLab Zoom Spiridon pack will be available in London on November 9 from a pop up at Charing Cross station, and in Tokyo on November 10. Only the white colourway will receive a global release, which will occur on November 17.