Aritzia and Nike Team Up on Sneaker
Fashion retailer Aritzia is releasing a collaboration with Nike on the LD-1000 sneaker in a "Sesame" colorway, dropping tomorrow. The limited-edition partnership reflects Nike's ongoing strategy of using high-fashion tie-ups to reach new consumer segments and drive hype.
This isn't the first time the Canadian retailer has ventured into footwear; Aritzia's in-house brand TNA previously released a collection with Vans in 2022, featuring three of the skate brand's signature styles in exclusive colorways. The retailer has also partnered with brands like Citizens of Humanity on exclusive denim lines. The "Sesame" is Aritzia's second take on the LD-1000 with Nike, following a "Fauna Brown" colorway released in October 2025. Both versions are part of the "Edition A" series, which swaps the shoe's original mesh upper for premium tumbled leather and features a subtle, debossed Swoosh on the toe. The collaboration is priced at $165 and includes special packaging and a custom star-shaped shoe charm. The Nike LD-1000 itself has a turbulent history. First launched in 1977 as a long-distance running shoe, it was designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman. The sneaker featured an innovative Waffle outsole for grip and a dramatically flared heel intended to reduce pressure on runners' knees. However, the flared heel design proved to be a flaw, causing injuries for some runners if they didn't land correctly, which ultimately led to Nike recalling the shoe. Despite the recall, Nike co-founder Phil Knight noted that the company received gratitude from customers for its innovative efforts. Nike has a long history of collaborating with high-fashion and streetwear brands to create hype and reach new customers. Recent examples include partnerships with French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, Yoon Ahn's AMBUSH, and the late Virgil Abloh's Off-White. These collaborations often result in sneakers that resell for significantly more than their initial retail price. The revival of the LD-1000 silhouette in 2024, including a collaboration with streetwear brand Stüssy, capitalized on the continuing popularity of 1970s retro styles before Aritzia's interpretation. Now positioned as a lifestyle and casual wear sneaker, its reintroduction aligns with a broader trend of heritage running shoes being recontextualized for fashion.
