Nike’s long-running collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara enters a new phase this March with the release of three reworked silhouettes: the Air Liquid Max, Mind 001, and Mind 002. Developed under Fujiwara’s ongoing Fragment Concept Testing initiative, the project introduces subtle but deliberate changes to some of Nike’s newest performance-driven designs.
At the center of the release is the Air Liquid Max, a recently introduced silhouette built on decades of Air Max cushioning research. Fujiwara’s version strips the shoe back visually, applying an all-black treatment across the upper and tooling, alongside minimal Fragment Concept Testing branding. The approach emphasizes the form and structure of the model rather than adding new decorative elements.
Alongside it, the Mind 001 and Mind 002 extend Nike’s exploration into neuroscience-informed footwear. Both models feature distinctive foam nodes designed to respond to pressure and movement, but Fujiwara’s versions refine their appearance through a reduced palette. The Mind 001 appears as a mule, rendered in black with contrasting blue nodes, while the Mind 002 introduces more significant changes, including new upper materials that alter the feel and function of the original design.
Fujiwara described his approach as rooted in curiosity about Nike’s latest technological direction. Having worked with the company since the late 1990s, he points to a longstanding interest in how performance innovation shapes product design. In this case, his role is less about transformation and more about selection—highlighting specific aspects of each model through material and color decisions.
The release also reflects the broader trajectory of Fujiwara’s work with Nike, which spans decades and includes contributions to the HTM design collective as well as reinterpretations of established models like the Air Jordan 1, Air Force 1, and Dunk. Fragment Concept Testing operates as a continuation of that history, focusing on contemporary silhouettes rather than archival ones.
The launch will roll out in phases. The Mind 001 and Mind 002 will debut first through Fragment retail locations on March 14, followed by a global release on March 19 via SNKRS and select partners. The Air Liquid Max will arrive later, launching at Fragment stores on March 31 before a wider release on April 3.
While the changes across all three models remain relatively restrained, the project underscores an ongoing dynamic between Nike’s technical development and Fujiwara’s pared-back design language—one that continues to shape how new performance products enter the broader landscape of fashion and streetwear.