Riccardo Tisci’s partnership with Nike has always leaned into the unexpected. From his reimagined Air Force 1s to avant-garde sportswear, his past collaborations helped set the foundation for today’s designer-sportswear crossovers. Now, in an unforeseen reunion, Riccardo Tisci x Nike are back, this time with a luxury handbag.
The Riccardo Tisci x Nike Mercer bag shifts the focus from footwear to accessories, presenting an all-black, pebbled leather handbag with an asymmetric silhouette. Echoing the understated elegance of Tisci’s Givenchy leather goods, the bag features a prominent tonal Swoosh embossed above his gilded initials, which also appear on the detachable strap.
Named after Mercer Street, once home to NikeLab’s now-shuttered New York flagship, the bag lacks the overt statement appeal of Jacquemus’ Swoosh sling. However, it hints at a refined, elevated aesthetic for Tisci’s renewed relationship with the brand. While his past Nike sneakers leaned into bold graphics and streetwear influences, this handbag is an exercise in quiet luxury.
Tisci’s ties to Nike run deep. Even before his first collaboration in 2014, the designer was rarely seen without a pair of Air Force 1s, once stating, “It feels like the shoes have become part of me, part of my body.” His approach to Givenchy menswear, blending high fashion with graphic-heavy streetwear, translated seamlessly into his Nike designs, creating a lasting imprint on the sneaker industry.
Since leaving Burberry in 2022, Tisci has kept a relatively low profile, working on editorial projects and styling assignments while traveling extensively. His return to Nike was subtly confirmed in 2024, but details of the full scope remain undisclosed.
With this unexpected handbag drop, speculation is already swirling about what’s next. Could an Air Force 1 revival be on the horizon? Given Tisci’s history with the silhouette, it wouldn’t be surprising.
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