(image via 032c)

ACRONYM and Nike Lab are set to release one of the most polarizing sneakers of the year. This is quite an extreme makeover on the iconic Air Force 1 shiloutte. If it looks like a zipper was haphazardly placed onto a regular Lunar Force body, it’s because that was the intention. In a recent interview with 032c, ACRONYM designer Errolson Hugh admitted that once the decision was made to add a functional zip to the sneaker, they were unapologetic about the changes.

There’s nothing subtle about it. You can immediately see the original design and the new parts that are stuck on. It’s an intervention It’s very unapologetic, and I think it was pretty ballsy of Nike to let us do it.

The sneakers themselves will come in three colorways, a simple black suede/leather iteration. A mainly white model with a a dipped infared-colored heel panel and a pretty crazy multi-color sneaker. The sneakers retail for $200 USD and will be dropping this Thursday, September 17 at online at Nike Lab, Oki-Ni, END Clothing and other retailers. Click through to see close up photos of the sneakers and also a short conceptual video highlighting the collab that focuses on surveillance.