Nike has taken a big step forward in 3D printing in a riff on the original Air Max sneaker.

The Nike Air Max 1000 is a new 3D-printed silhouette that reimagines the Air Max 1 and was manufactured with Zellerfeld. Nike isn’t saying a tremendous amount about the sneaker in its press release, but the lifestyle sneaker appears to be a single piece printed around the Air Max unit in the heel — setting it apart in features from what we typically see in 3D-printed shoes.

“As an innovator, what’s most exciting to me about the Air Max 1000 are the new solutions we can achieve with next-level manufacturing,” John Hoke, Nike chief innovation officer, said in a press release. “It’s control, times precision, times expression — all of which are vital to sport and to design. When those variables of control, precision and expression are multiplied at once, the future of our product really does feel unlimited.”

Nike will show the Air Max 1000 the public this weekend at ComplexCon, and attendees will have a chance to win an exclusive pair of the sneakers. Further release information for the sneaker has yet to be divulged — but there’s a nontrivial chance the Air Max 1000 ends up being a part of Nike’s plans for its annual Air Max Day celebration in March.

“Nike Air has been at the heart of Nike innovation for decades,” Hoke added. “It’s been reinvented, reimagined and pushed to new heights, and yet, despite all the advancements we’ve made, we are constantly pushing ourselves to feel that emotion of awe again and again. More than a technology, Nike Air is a mindset. It’s about embracing the unknown with optimism, as we believe that Air will never reach its final form.”

Zellerfeld, founded in 2015, has become a go-to for 3D-printing in the footwear industry, having worked with Louis Vuitton, Heron Preston, Moncler and more. This year, the German Company launched a 3D-platform it’s calling the “YouTube of shoes,” in which users can upload their own designs for 3D printing.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Buzzy 3D-printed footwear tech company Zellerfeld is adding to its management team as it continues to grow.

The Germany-based company has hired Michael Krause as its new chief platform officer.

In his new role, Zellerfeld said that Krause will lead the company’s digital platform, responsible for cultivating a vibrant community of designers and brands who aim to bring their footwear ideas to life. In addition, he will also oversee Zellerfeld’s e-commerce operations with the goal of driving growth and brand awareness in the expanding 3D-printed shoe market.

Cornelius Schmitt, founder and chief executive officer of Zellerfeld, said in a statement that he is “delighted” to welcome Krause to lead the company’s platform business. “I’ve long admired Spotify’s approach to balancing the needs of artists while creating a seamless customer experience, and I’m confident that with Michael’s expertise, we will achieve our vision of putting 3D-printed shoes on every foot,” Schmitt said.

Krause joins the company from Spotify, where he spent the last seven years. He most recently served as general manager of the company’s European and UK divisions overseeing all local creator relations, editorial and marketing operations.

“I was inspired by Cornelius’ vision to disrupt the shoe market and launch a transformative technology that will change how shoes are produced and consumed,” Krause added. “The focus on customer experience and sustainability were decisive factors for me, and I’m thrilled to help Zellerfeld bring this vision to reality.”

Zellerfeld’s new hire comes just months after the company announced its plans for the future. In June, the Hamburg, Germany-based company announced it has moved its platform out of beta and is now ready to fully launch what it’s calling the “YouTube of Shoes,” where nearly anyone can upload a design on Zellerfeld’s platform and get their shoes produced.

Through this new program Schmitt emphasized that designers and brands are now able to rapidly bring new concepts to market, while consumers can access a diverse, ever-expanding range of footwear. The CEO noted that for the platform aims to “demolish traditional financial and logistical barriers” when creating footwear, allowing real-time experimentation and product refinement.

Zellerfeld is dropping its latest 3D-printed shoe creation, this time with German rapper and artist CRO.

Dubbed the “Mars Mellow,” the shoe style truly evokes the look and feel of a marshmallow. According to Zellerfeld, the new shoe design aims to evoke lightness, comfort and intrigue in a “wearable piece of art” that draws inspiration from the concept of being “trapped in paradise,” a core theme of CRO’s creative brand “TRIP.”

First presented in Tokyo, the space-age design of the shoe “playfully symbolizes” CRO’s ongoing journey of artistic reinvention and invites everyone to join him on this next, cosmic chapter, the company said.

“This shoe is a journey—a trip into the unknown, where fashion, music, and technology collide,” CRO said in a statement. “I wanted to design something that feels like it belongs on Mars—a shoe not just for Earth but for Martians. The Mars Mellow is futuristic and bold, like something you’d wear while exploring a new planet. It’s playful and otherworldly, but still grounded in my identity as an artist. It’s more than just a sneaker—it’s a space-age statement, made for those ready to leave Earth behind.”

CRO, one of Germany’s most influential rappers, is celebrated for his signature “Raop” sound (a fusion of rap and pop) and his iconic mask. Since his 2012 breakthrough with the album Raop, the 34-year-old musician has solidified his place in the music scene, reaching millions of streams and gaining fans worldwide. His genre-blending music, visionary fashion sense, and artistic endeavors make him the perfect collaboration partner for Zellerfeld.

This release comes just months after Zellerfeld announced its plans for the future. In June, the Hamburg, Germany-based 3D-printed footwear tech company announced it has moved its platform out of beta and is now ready to fully launch what it’s calling the “YouTube of Shoes,” where nearly anyone can upload a design on Zellerfeld’s platform and get their shoes produced.

Through this new program Cornelius Schmitt, chief executive officer of Zellerfeld, emphasized that designers and brands are now able to rapidly bring new concepts to market, while consumers can access a diverse, ever-expanding range of footwear. The CEO noted that for the platform aims to “demolish traditional financial and logistical barriers” when creating footwear, allowing real-time experimentation and product refinement.

“Zellerfeld’s platform opens the door for creators to do what was once impossible—bring their wildest visions to life without the constraints of traditional manufacturing,” Schmitt added. “Collaborating with CRO on the Mars Mellow was more than just creating a shoe. It was the collision of German artistry and our revolutionary technology, creating something that pushes the very limits of design.”

The new CRO “Mars Mellow” shoe, which retails for $380, is now available to order at Zellerfeld.com.

Rains is back with its second footwear collaboration with Zellerfeld – this time on a 3D-printed mule.

First seen at the Scandinavian urban outerwear and lifestyle brand’s fall/winter 2024 runway show, the slip-on style’s sculptural shape continues to take inspiration from Rains’ signature puffer jackets. More specifically, the brand said that the new mule takes direct inspiration from Rains’ signature exaggerated zippers.

Rains’ new Zip Mule features Zellerfeld’s TextureMap innovation, which combines multiple texture finishes across various sections of the silhouette. Each pair is made from TPU that boasts quick drying, washable and odor-resistant properties, while minimizing footwear maintenance.

The mules are printed-to-order and come in three colorways: orange, oat and black. The style will officially launch online at Rains.com on Aug. 14.

“Working with Rains is always thrilling,” Cornelius Schmitt, co-founder and chief executive officer of Zellerfeld, said in a statement on Friday. “Their commitment to innovation sets them apart in the industry, and their continued trust in 3D-printed footwear and our platform inspires us to keep pushing. The Rains Zip Mule is just another product that showcases our synergies: a never-before-seen mule style combined with incredibly soft uppers. We’re excited for what’s next and look forward to creating more groundbreaking designs together!”

Rains launched its first collaboration with Zellerfeld last year when the duo revealed the 3D-printed Puffer sneaker during Paris Fashion Week Men’s. The shoe featured puffer elements on the instep made of 90 percent air that harken back to the brand’s signature outerwear.

This release comes just months after Zellerfeld announced its plans for the future. In June, the Hamburg, Germany-based 3D-printed footwear tech company announced it has moved its platform out of beta and is now ready to fully launch what it’s calling the “YouTube of Shoes,” where nearly anyone can upload a design on Zellerfeld’s platform and get their shoes produced.

Through this new program Schmitt emphasized that designers and brands are now able to rapidly bring new concepts to market, while consumers can access a diverse, ever-expanding range of footwear. The CEO noted that for the platform aims to “demolish traditional financial and logistical barriers” when creating footwear, allowing real-time experimentation and product refinement.

“Everything we’ve done culminates in this moment,” Schmitt told FN in a June interview. “We’ve sharpened our technology and processes through alliances with industry titans to unleash an open platform that reinvents footwear.”

Over one year after launching the beta version of its open platform where consumers could shop a selection of 3D-printed shoe designs, Zellerfeld is ready for what comes next.

On Tuesday, the Hamburg, Germany-based 3D-printed footwear tech company announced it has moved its platform out of beta and is now ready to fully launch what it’s calling the “YouTube of Shoes,” where nearly anyone can upload a design on Zellerfeld’s platform and get their shoes produced.

Zellerfeld co-founder and chief executive officer Cornelius Schmitt told FN in an interview that the launch comes after producing over 10,000 pairs of shoes from its beta program featuring shoe designs from brands like Moncler, Chris Brown, KidSuper and Heron Preston.

“What we learned from our beta program are important operational functions like how to produce and ship tens of thousands of shoes, how to do customer support and how to make sure our shoes fit,” Schmitt said. “So now we’re ready to launch the future of footwear where anyone in the world can upload a 3D model to our website and offer it only for purchase within a day.”

Through this new program Schmitt emphasized that designers and brands are now able to rapidly bring new concepts to market, while consumers can access a diverse, ever-expanding range of footwear. The CEO noted that for the platform aims to “demolish traditional financial and logistical barriers” when creating footwear, allowing real-time experimentation and product refinement. Thanks to Zellerfeld’s design parameters and printing capabilities, development times that once spanned 12 to 18 months are now reduced to mere days.

“Imagine a world where any designer, no matter their resources, can manifest their vision and reach a global audience,” Schmitt said. “Consumers will step into an era where footwear innovation is the norm, not the exception. After decades of stale re-releases, superficial updates and color-ups – let’s make footwear exciting again. Our platform empowers creators to shatter design boundaries, experiment without fear, and innovate sustainably. This is truly a revolution, and we are at the forefront, leading the charge against sweatshops and outdated manufacturing methods. We call on brands to join us and help drive this transformation.”

Zellerfeld’s open platform launches with the integration of Zellerfeld Studio, which offers designers cutting-edge tools to order samples and bring creations to market at lightning speed. To first submit a design, though, creators must submit their plans the company’s Discord where automated systems will work to verify files and create Zellerfeld Studio accounts for approved designs. These designs will then live on zellerfeld.com where consumers can shop each style in a new marketplace for footwear.

So how does the company make money under this new business model? There are two distinct ways. On the consumer side, Zellerfeld is selling production slots to customers for $10 each. Once they obtain a slot, consumers can add as many styles to their order until their production batch has begun, and will then be charged the remaining cost of the shoe once the shoes are ready to be shipped. This system will allow users to reserve a place in the production queue and secure printed shoes, save the slot for later, or change shoes depending on what’s released, Schmitt said.

The CEO added that the lower barrier of entry on the consumer side is also a way for the company to raise funds to add more 3D printers to its Hamburg production facility in order to meet demand and scale its print farm.

On the brand side, Zellerfeld will share a compelling 60-40 profit split with each designer – taking home 40 percent of the sale for cost of production, shipping and other services provided.

“Everything we’ve done culminates in this moment,” Schmitt said. “We’ve sharpened our technology and processes through alliances with industry titans to unleash an open platform that reinvents footwear. This isn’t just a launch; it’s an all-out revolution. We’re here to obliterate the old guard and rebuild footwear from the ground up and are not stopping until we succeed.”

Louis Vuitton debuted a 3D-printed sneaker made by Zellerfeld Thursday during its Pre-Fall Collection Runway Show in Hong Kong.

LV’s Cobra model, which was shown in all-black and all-white colorways, is the French fashion house’s first foray into 3D-printed shoes. The 3D-printed structure incorporates soft mesh and air vents, making it somewhat akin to the foam and rubber clogs that have become all the rage since Crocs’ well-publicized resurgence. Detailing includes the flower logo from Louis Vuitton’s monogram pattern.

3D-printing specialist Zellerfeld launched in 2015, and its shoes are more sustainable by being made to order and fully recyclable. It’s previously created footwear for Pangaia and Heron Preston, and in February it opened a beta program including the latter designer and Kid Super in which new designs were made available to purchase on a weekly basis.

Zellerfeld also partnered with another luxury retailer in Moncler over the summer through a 3D-printed version of the Trailgrip model released in limited numbers. “As Moncler’s first venture into 3D-printing, this collaboration serves as a monumental moment for the footwear industry and further underscores the significant shift brands are taking to break away from the conventional factory manufacturing process,” Zellerfeld co-founder and CEO Cornelius Schmitt said ithen n a statement. “Luxury fashion houses like Moncler are driving the future of fashion by embracing 3D-printing production models as the new standard.”

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.