While she hasn’t made a music album since 2019’s When I Get Home, Solange Knowles has been very busy in the world of fashion and design. In 2023, Knowles designed a glassware collection in collaboration with glassblower Jason McDonald. And then in 2024, Knowles appeared alongside her mother in a Gucci Gift campaign. She’s been busy. But not busy enough to skip the chance to appear as the face of Nike and French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus’ new collab on the Moon Shoe.
The Strange Origins of Nike’s Moon Shoe
Nike has an interesting way of tying strange stories to their footwear. The Moon Shoe has one of the most bizarre. According to the legend, in the 70s, Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman was watching his wife in the kitchen when he had the unique idea of pouring liquid rubber onto a waffle iron. The idea was to create a lighter running shoe with better traction for athletes.
The Waffle Iron That Changed Running Shoes
While the story itself sounds a little out there, the idea actually worked. The rubber grid pattern created grip without extra weight.
During testing for the 1972 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, the prototype left crater-like marks in the track. And so it was nicknamed the “Moon Shoe”.
Why the Original Moon Shoe Never Reached Stores
Believe it or no, but Nike never actually sold the original Moon Shoe. A small batch of the sneaker appeared at the Olympic Trials, then disappeared… forever. Instead, the Moon Shoe became the base for other sneakers like the Oregon Waffle in 1973 and the Waffle Trainer in 1975. In fact, the Waffle Trainer became Nike’s first major commercial success.
Simon Porte Jacquemus Discovers a Forgotten Nike Icon
In 2026, Nike and Jacquemus have decided to bring the Moon Shoe back. The Paris-based designer discovered the silhouette while digging through Nike’s archives a few years ago. It instantly sparked creative ideas, and now we are finally getting a chance to own a part of history.
Jacquemus Explains His Vision for the Moon Shoe
“Three years ago, when I visited the Nike archives, I first came across the historic Moon Shoe,” Jacquemus said. “I saw a unique, minimal running shoe that was both timeless and modern in its simplicity and execution. I knew it was an opportunity to create a new story and reshape it in the Jacquemus way.”
A Ballet-Inspired Design With Racing DNA
Yes, the updated 2026 Moon Shoe still has its racing roots, but it now also carries a ballet-inspired look. Sorry, Timothée Chalamet.
The shoe sits low to the ground and stretches into a torpedo-like shape.
Details That Blend Nike Heritage With Paris Style
The upper uses ruched nylon, while the outsole features Nike Grind material. A leather Swoosh is seen on the side, and Jacquemus branding appears on the tongue, heel, and sock liner.
Even the packaging feels nostalgic, referencing Nike’s earliest days – when the company was Blue Ribbon Sports.
From Paris Runway to Global Release
The Moon Shoe first appeared during Jacquemus’ Spring 2025 runway show in Paris, where models walked in the futuristic runners as part of the collection.
Three colorways arrived at launch: an Alabaster version, Off Noir and University Red options.
Nike and Jacquemus Continue Their Sneaker Partnership
This collab marks the fourth sneaker collaboration between Nike and the Jacquemus brand. We also got the Air Max 1, the J Force 1, and the Air Humara a while back.
Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoe Release Date and Where to Buy
Nike has always built its designs on experimentation. Bowerman’s waffle iron moment proved that strange ideas sometimes lead to breakthroughs. Now the same sneaker returns with a new fashion look, fronted by Beyonce’s sister, Solange Knowles, and backed by a designer who clearly knows how to make the old new again.
The Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoe launches September 29 on jacquemus.com before it arrives on the SNKRS app and select Nike retailers on October 6.
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