Eminem is getting to live out a dream while raising much-needed funds to help disadvantaged kids in his native Michigan and around the globe.
The rapper has joined forces with Nike to create a limited edition run of the iconic Air Max series to benefit his Marshall Mathers Foundation, which provides funds for organizations working with troubled youth in southeast Michigan; and ninemillion.org, a global campaign led by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), with founding partners Nike and Microsoft to raise awareness of the world’s refugee youth.
Eminem (aka Marshall Mathers) is designing limited-edition uppers of eight different shoes in the Air Max series: from the Air Max ’87 through the most recent Air Max 360.
"If you told me ten years ago that I’d be designing this whole series of Air Max’s, I never would have believed it," said Eminem in a statement. "It’s one of the hottest lines that Nike ever produced, so I’m honored to make my own contribution. My only problem was figuring out how to make the shoes different from stuff they’ve already done: Nike always has the dopest color combos."
Only eight full sets of the footwear (64 pairs of shoes in total) will be produced before they are auctioned off over a period of four weeks, beginning Aug. 31. Also, all 64 pairs will be numbered and autographed by Slim Shady himself.
"We’re always looking for new ways to try to raise money and awareness for the foundation, so when Nike approached us we jumped at the chance,” Em stated. “When we got the info on ninemillion.org, it made even more sense. Who wouldn’t want to design their own line of Nikes? And to do it for charity makes it that much better."
All eight styles will still be auctioned off at Nike stores and on eBay, with the proceeds shared equally between the two charities. All eBay auctions will begin on each of the allocated Tuesdays at 00:00 hours, running for seven days and finishing at 23:59 hours the following Monday.
Here is the auction schedule:
SEPTEMBER
19: eBay (7 pairs Air Max 180; 7 pairs Air Max ’93)
22: Nike Store, Paris (1 pair Air Max ’95; 1 pair Air Max ’97)
26: eBay (7 pairs Air Max ’95; 7 pairs Air Max ’97)
28: NikeTown London (1 pair Air Max ’03; 1 pair Air Max ’06)
OCTOBER
03: eBay (7 pairs Air Max ’03; 7 pairs Air Max ’06)
Reprinted with permission:
www.eurweb.com
