Nike Sportswear is presenting a new edition of the Year of the Dragon Air Force 1 honoring the 2012 Chinese New Year. Inspiredby the concept of ‘dragon', this low top features a design that blends dragon boat imagery with traditional Chinese dragon iconography. The special edition celebrates the 30th anniversary of this classic design.

Designed with the dragon boat concept as a primary inspiration, the upper includes red suede with an embossed scale pattern, while the outsole and part of the upper are made of bright blue leather. The overall design echoes that of a dragon boat, evoking a red boat floating on a blue lake, with the golden Swoosh emphasizing the nobility and majesty of the dragon.

2012 is known as “the Year of the Water Dragon," and this interpretation of a dragon rising out of the sea conveys the idea of prosperity for all. The multi-colored knitted tongue design represents the cultural features of the Dragon Boat Festival and best wishes for safety and health.

The shoe’s tongue top uses the ‘dragon in clouds’ pattern, identical to the Year of the Dragon Air Force 1 from Spring. Additional details include the multi-colored cloud pattern on the cushion, representing good fortune. The character for ‘dragon’ in ancient oracle bone script on the heel counter, pearl dubrets with the Roman numerals “XXX”, and the premium aglets. The extra set of red shoelaces provides an additional color element.

The Year of the Dragon special edition Air Force 1 Low will be released on June 23, the date of this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, at select global retailers.