2025-09-30T09:56:01Z
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Tim Cook attended the reopening of an Apple store in Tokyo wearing custom Nike sneakers.
The shoes were designed by Sashiko Gals, a Japanese artisan group.
Cook has a history of being spotted in one-of-a-kind Nikes.
Tim Cook’s shoe game is quite unique.
The Apple CEO gushed in social posts on Friday about his trip to Japan, where he attended the reopening of an Apple store in Tokyo. A few store visitors snapped photos and videos of Cook’s shoe choice during the event.
Cook wore a pair of custom Nike Vomero Plus sneakers as he welcomed Japanese customers alongside retail employees and Apple’s senior vice president of retail and people, Deirdre O’Brien. His kicks were designed by Sashiko Gals, an artisan division of the Japanese brand Kuon, the designers told Business Insider.
Cook’s kicks were made using a traditional Japanese stitching technique.
Naotaka Konno
The red, white, and blue sneakers were made with reworked denim using a traditional Japanese stitching technique called sashiko, the designers said. The design collective, made up of about 15 women between the ages of 40 and 80, told Business Insider that the shoes were designed for Cook.
It’s unclear if Nike was involved with the customization process, and the company did not respond to a request for comment.
Cook has a long-standing relationship with the sportswear giant. He’s been a member of Nike’s board of directors since 2005. Over the years, Apple and Nike have collaborated on innovations, including fitness features and Apple Watch variations.
Last year, Cook wore another pair of one-of-a-kind Nike sneakers when he launched a new iPad lineup at an Apple event.
If the sightings of Cook’s Nike collection are any indication, the CEO likely has some serious pull for getting cool sneakers.
AloJapan.com