Ballet sneakers may feel like a relatively new phenomenon – but in fact, Nike was well ahead of the trend via its Air Rift style, also known as the Ninja, which was first released back in 1996. As well as tapping into our current penchant for sneakerinas, the design also features a split toe – music to the ears of fashion insiders who can’t get enough of their Margiela Tabis.
Jennifer Aniston wearing Nike Air Rifts on the set of Bruce Almighty.
Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo
The brainchild of shoe designer Tinker Hatfield and named after Kenya’s Rift Valley, where some of the world’s greatest long-distance runners have come from, the trainer was designed to replicate the feeling of running barefoot. While the bold style proved to be divisive (as it is today), A-list fans included the likes of Madonna, who was photographed wearing a red and white version in New York in 2001, and Jennifer Aniston, who sported a black and orange pair on the set of Bruce Almighty in 2003.
Given the popularity of the ballerina sneaker trend in recent seasons, it’s no surprise that Nike is leaning heavily into the Rift style now, via a collaboration with Skims launching later this month. Kim Kardashian herself was photographed sporting the black version from the partnership, with the style also coming in two shades of brown. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lawrence was spotted wearing her Nike Air Rifts back in December – proving that the comeback is well and truly on.
Nike
Air Rift Mesh Split-Toe Sneakers
