In 2001, Nike formed what has become a beautiful lasting relationship with Tokyo’s own Atmos.

Japan is well known for being a pioneer in sneaker culture and if you go to Harajuku, Tokyo today, you will see how this subculture has blossomed. Walking through Harajuku there are lots of stores scattered around the winding streets. You have to search for them, selling sought after pairs (in cases or wrapped) and also more vague collectables and sneaker memorabilia. For example, the Sports Illustrated sneaker phone from 1990. If you've ever done the sneaker phone pose, imagine it with a shoe that is a phone.

In 2018, Round Two, Sean, Luke, Chris and Graham went to Tokyo to buy sneakers, accessories and apparel to take home and sell in their stores. It was a 2 hours long episode and I watched every minute of it. And just like “I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants and flip flops, so I bought army pants and flip flops,” I booked a solo trip soon after. One thing I loved about visiting some of the stores was telling them I had seen them on Round Two’s page and despite the language barrier, share somewhat of a connection.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Atmos. The work they have done has made its mark and I hope they have continued longevity. I’ve enjoyed listening to Hirofumi Kojima aka Koji, the Director of Atmos talk about their approach to product. They want their shoes to carry Atmos’s D.N.A and for the consumer to recognise it as an Atmos shoe.

This stamp is for the Nike x Atmos Air Max 1 “Elephant.” In 2006, Nike approached Atmos with the proposal of making a crazy Air Max 1. As of then, no one had ever used animal print on an Air Max. As Koji put it “It is crazy.” But it wasn’t crazy enough because we loved it and even voted it back in 2016 for Air Max Day. My favourite part of the shoe is the jade swoosh and how Atmos describe it as an elephant "splashing in the water." It is an adorable image, so I illustrated a calf.

- Stampsolector