Mumbai’s Diya Joukani is co-creating the next 3D-printed Air Max

The Essentials

• Nike’s Air Works programme brings together eight global designers to create 3D-printed Air Max sneakers in partnership with Zellerfeld.
• Mumbai designer Diya Joukani has been selected to develop a custom style rooted in her city’s culture.
• Limited-run friends and family versions will arrive throughout the coming year ahead of Air Max Day 2027.

The Pulse

Mumbai is one of only eight cities selected for Nike’s inaugural Air Works research and design lab. Instead of just asking for consumer feedback, the brand has flown Mumbai local Diya Joukani to its Oregon headquarters to build a shoe from scratch using Zellerfeld’s 3D-printing tech. What is Nike Air Works? It is a collaborative programme where outside designers use Nike’s proprietary tools to redefine the Air Max for their own communities.

The project includes a Mumbai-specific design, though retail availability for the general public remains unconfirmed. These visiting designers, including Joukani, are gaining access to the Department of Nike Archives and the Nike Sport Research Lab to inform their work. The goal is to move past traditional mass manufacturing and see how individual perspectives can reshape a 40-year-old heritage.

Each creator will eventually release a friends and family version of their 3D-printed shoe within their local community. This suggests that the initial run will be incredibly scarce, favouring the inner circles of the street culture scene in Mumbai. It signals a shift from global templates to footwear that is genuinely rooted in local identity.

The Snapshot

The Big Picture

Nike is moving away from the “one design fits all” model by embracing Zellerfeld’s 3D-printing technology, which allows for rapid prototyping without the need for expensive moulds. This shift puts them in direct competition with Adidas’s 4D line and even local premium retailers like VegNonVeg who have spent years curating specific sneaker culture in India. By involving a Mumbai designer, Nike recognises that the Indian sneakerhead is no longer just a distant consumer but a global influence. This isn’t just a shoe; it is a test for local relevance.

The India Prospective

Nike has selected Mumbai’s Diya Joukani, who operates under the social handle @diyajoukani, to represent the city’s narrative on a global stage. Joukani notes that the programme allows her to tell stories rooted in Indian culture through her designs. She is the sole Indian representative among creators from cities like Paris and Tokyo. If you are a collector in Bandra, this is the most significant India-centric Nike drop in years.

The Inside Intel

The designers aren’t just visiting offices; they are working inside the Blue Ribbon Studio and the Bowerman Footwear Lab. These spaces are usually strictly off-limits, acting as the high-tech heart of Nike’s innovation where prototypes are handmade. Getting access to these facilities allows the designers to blend four decades of archival knowledge with the latest 3D-printing software, creating shoes that would have been impossible to manufacture just five years ago.

The UDHQ. Take

Unbox Daily HQ. reckons this is a moment for the serious Indian sneaker collector to pay attention rather than the casual shopper. Because these are 3D-printed and limited to friends and family initially, acquiring a pair will likely require significant effort or a very lucky connection. However, the validation of Indian street culture on this global platform makes it worth following. If you are travelling through any of the eight launch cities this year, these are the specific pairs to hunt for through your global network. If and when this reaches India, expect pricing to be confirmed at a later date, worth tracking for the hardcore Air Max enthusiast.

Best for: A dedicated sneakerhead in Mumbai who wants a piece of the city’s first global Nike design collaboration.

Who Is This For: Perfect for 18 to 30 fashion-forward creatives in urban India who value exclusivity and 3D-printed technology.

The Checkout

Nike India

The Source

Nike Global