When Nike and Jacquemus team up, the result is anything but an ordinary pair of sneakers. The new Moon Shoe, a collaboration between Nike and designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, is an ode to innovation, nostalgia, and an impeccable sense of aesthetics.
Moon Shoe Silhouette, first revealed at Jacquemus’s Spring 2025 fashion show in Paris, is a fusion of two worlds: sporty technicality and Parisian chic. It combines a design once built for speed with a contemporary aesthetic that works like ballet choreography in the world of street fashion. While the Moon Shoe didn’t go on sale in 1972, it’s now – more than half a century later – poised to become a viral hit.
Moon Shoe – From Olympic dreams to the catwalk
The Moon Shoe story begins in the kitchen. Literally. Bill Bowerman, Co-Founder Nike and running coach, in search of the perfect sole for his athletes, reached for his wife's waffle iron. An experiment that would have cost many dinners (and probably their marriages) resulted in a mesh rubber that redefined the grip of running shoes. The Moon Shoe was born.
While the original never made it to store shelves, its legacy lives on—in styles like the Oregon Waffle and the iconic Waffle Trainer. And now, thanks to Jacquemus' sharp design vision, it's making a comeback—only this time more on Instagram than the track.
Jacquemus' minimalist magic
Simon Porte Jacquemus is known for his poetic, almost romantic approach to design. When he first visited the Nike archives three years ago, he was captivated by the Moon Shoe’s simplicity and raw honesty. “It was a shoe without excess. For me, it was the perfect canvas for a new story,” says Jacquemus.
And that story is now a shoe masterpiece: the Moon Shoe with a gathered nylon upper, leather Swoosh and retro-style heel counters. The sole is made of Nike Regrind material – recycled, durable and a symbol of modern design that breathes responsibility. A minimalist silhouette with the sharpness of a ballet slipper. Urban torpedo. Parisian zen. Call it what you want – the result is spectacular in any case.
Three colors, one story: speed in style
The Moon Shoe will be available in three versions, each with its own character:
-
- Alabaster – exclusive to Jacquemus, pure as the morning mist over Provence
- Off Noir – dark and sophisticated, for nighttime strolls among galleries
- University Red – a tribute to Nike's heritage and the color of winners
The logos are discreetly placed – on the tongue, heel and interior – but noticeable enough to make connoisseurs nod. And because in the fashion world, style counts too unboxing, the shoes are available in special packaging that evokes the spirit of Nike's beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports.
From waffles to the global fashion scene
The Moon Shoe 2025 is not a stand-alone project – it’s the fourth step in Jacquemus and Nike’s now serious relationship, following the successful Air Max 1, J Force 1 and Air Humara. But it seems like this shoe best captures their shared philosophy: the past as inspiration, the future as destination. And in between? Fashionable pleasure.
The magazine in which the Moon Shoe debuted was dedicated to Paris—a city that breathes aesthetics—and Nike athletes who became style ambassadors. The result? A sneaker that feels more like a manifesto than a piece of footwear.
Conclusion
The Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoe is more than a reinvention of an icon – it’s a reinvention of thinking. What a sneaker can be. From a kitchen gadget to a fashion object of desire. Whether you’re one of those who believe fashion should be comfortable, or one of those who swear by a story – the Moon Shoe has you covered. Literally and metaphorically.
The launch will be September 29th at jacquemus.com and October 6th at SNKRS and select Nike stores. If you're thinking of "sprinting" them at the last minute, be warned: this fashion sprint will be fast. Very fast.
