In an exclusive photo series by Phoebe Plimmer, creatives including Sasha Keable, Danika Magdalena and Teoni come together to celebrate the enduring appeal of the Cortez trainer
Not a lot of silhouettes have had the type of longevity the Nike Cortez has. Originally released as the Tiger Cortez track shoe for the 1972 Olympics, the style became entrenched in both sporting and popular culture over the next couple of decades. Not only was it the choice of gold medal athletes, but also Farrah Fawcett in a vintage ep of Charlie’s Angels, Whitney Houston singing the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, and – of course – Forrest Gump as he attempted to run the length of America. Through countless collabs, colourways and cultural moments it’s stood the test of time – but the most interesting thing about it is that it really shouldn’t have.
By modern trainer standards, the Cortez sticks out as a bit of an anomaly. A bulbous upper and unassuming design set it apart from the current sneaker landscape, one where fashion houses and athletic brands chase virality with complex designs and absurd styles. While a lot of those are very appealing (and some are definitely not), it’s the Cortez’s cool classicism that allowed it to remain at the forefront of such an oversaturated market. That’s why the style was selected as the focus for a brand new photo series, bringing together a select group of seven women who embody the trainer’s timeless silhouette.
Headed up by New Zealand-born photographer Phoebe Plimmer, musician Sasha Keable, photographer Danika Magdalena, BeauBeau’s founder Tallula Christie, artist Teoni, DJ Ghadir Mustafa and stylist Lara McGrath all feature in the series, as well as Plimmer who stars in her own self-shot portrait. “It’s exciting to work for an iconic household name like Nike,” said Plimmer of the shoot. “It’s fun to be able to work with likeminded people on a project that highlights creative women in the London scene.”
Whether they were in an office, work studio or at home, each woman is shot in a location that inspires their own creativity, a facet Plimmer saw as integral to the shoot. “It felt right to have each person in their own space, as the project was about celebrating them as up and coming creative women in London,” the photographer explained. “It was so special. It felt like it created more depth to the photos rather than just in a studio.”
Working with London-based casting director Chloe Rosolek, it was the series’ objective to make all the women feel connected somehow, despite the individual shots. Not only were a lot of the women already friends, but the styling of the shoes – using individual colourways for each image – also helped to bring them all together as one full kaleidoscope of Cortez. As for the trainers themselves, one of Plimmer’s earliest memories of the style was in the previously mentioned Forrest Gump, a film she loved to watch growing up. “There’s a quote from the movie that always stuck with me,” says the photographer, reminiscing. “‘My mama always said there’s an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes… where they’re going, where they been.”