Nike Air Safari SE – SW3 Zebra Rework Edition: Safari Meets the Streets, Reimagined
Boldness. Artistry. Function. Culture. The Nike Air Safari SE – SW3 Zebra Rework Edition is not just a sneaker; it’s a fearless reinvention of a classic. In this electrifying rework, SW3 dismantles and reconstructs the Nike Air Safari in a way that no brand ever has before. It’s a creative journey through patterns, textures, and ideas, brought to life by a team obsessed with pushing boundaries and telling stories through every brushstroke and stitch.
This bespoke custom begins where most transformations don’t: deconstruction. The iconic Nike Swoosh is removed from both sides of the shoe — not as a rejection of heritage, but as an invitation to reimagine it. With the swoosh and the original sneaker tag detached and set aside, the SW3 team had a blank canvas, which they filled with both technical precision and creative madness.
At the center of this transformation is the hand-painted Safari print, one that honors the classic wild soul of the Air Safari but infuses it with the untamed brilliance of SW3’s design DNA. A zebra-striped motif, expertly hand-painted in striking contrast, overlays the leather toe box and midsection. Combined with SW3’s signature scarf-inspired patterns — alternating between wave-like textures and box grids — the result is an artwork that feels alive, layered, and daring.
And then, the magic continues.
A completely custom lace cover, crafted from the finest English leather, redefines how the shoe is worn and experienced. This isn’t just a visual touch — it’s functional innovation. The lace cover includes precision-stitched button snaps that allow the wearer to attach or remove the zebra panel with ease, blending style with smart design. The process even reintegrates the original Nike Air Safari tongue tag, now sewn into the new leather structure with a factory-finish quality, preserving the sneaker’s roots while updating its identity.
Every decision in this process reflects intentionality — from materials to motifs, textures to practicality. The bold hand-painted overlays pop in brilliant color, while the supporting tones maintain a street-ready vibe. The mix of chaos and structure symbolizes SW3’s approach to art: spontaneity with purpose.
Underneath it all, the soul of the original Nike Air Safari remains: the iconic sole unit, trusted cushioning, and lightweight feel make this sneaker a practical everyday wear, even with its eye-catching exterior. Whether you’re a collector, a creative, or a style connoisseur, this pair offers a unique fusion of wearability and one-of-a-kind art.
Designed in collaboration with the mythical SW3 “wizard” — and inspired by carefree directions from fashion visionary Kenzo — this custom build captures London attitude, Middle Eastern craftsmanship, and limitless creative expression. It speaks to those who believe fashion should be fearless, and who are looking for that one shoe that literally nobody else owns.
The Nike Air Safari SE – SW3 Zebra Rework Edition isn’t just a sneaker. It’s a story. A concept. A piece of SW3’s creative soul, now ready to be worn — or framed.
