Inspired by the former Pan-African airline, the collective Air Afrique multiplies artistic projects between Paris, Abidjan, and New York. Through fashion collaborations, magazines, and cultural events, it embodies a new generation seeking self-affirmation.
A Shared Heritage Turned into a Creative Force
Before becoming a cultural project, Air Afrique was an iconic airline and a symbol of African independence. Founded in 1961 by eleven French-speaking countries from West and Central Africa, it enabled nations to pool their resources to create a shared airline.
Over the decades, Air Afrique experienced a remarkable rise. At its peak, it served around twenty African destinations as well as several European capitals and even flew to New York. But this dazzling trajectory was eventually weakened by successive oil crises. The airline ceased operations in 2002, marking the end of a Pan-African symbol.
In 2021, a collective of young Parisians from the African diaspora decided to revive this heritage in a new form. They brought back the name, not to take to the skies, but to create new imaginaries. Through a series of cultural projects, they pay tribute to the airline while offering a contemporary interpretation of diasporic identities. The collective quickly caught the attention of major fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta, leading to high-profile collaborations. Pharrell Williams even agreed to appear in one of their campaigns.
A Collective with Multifaceted Projects and a Bold Vision
Since its creation, the collective Air Afrique has continuously broadened its scope. In April 2025, it launched the second issue of its magazine at an event held at UNESCO, supported by Louis Vuitton. Just a few days earlier, the launch had taken place in Abidjan, the former headquarters of the airline.
In another vein, the collective even joined forces with artist Tiakola for the release of the vinyl edition of his album BDLM and his African tour. This collaboration gave rise to an exclusive shirt and scarf, both of which sold out quickly. Air Afrique also hosts regular film clubs, celebrating the great figures and forgotten stories of African cinema.
Always in search of thoughtful collaborations, the collective partnered with the eyewear brand Port Tanger, whose aesthetic approach resonates with its own. More recently, Air Afrique was announced as one of the participants in the exhibition Ideas of Africa: Portraiture and Political Imagination at the MoMA in New York. This participation marks a new milestone in the collective’s international recognition as a major cultural force.
A Collaboration with Nike That Propels Their Vision onto the International Stage
In October 2025, Air Afrique unveiled a major collaboration with Nike around an exclusive model, the RK61. A hybrid between a loafer and a sneaker combines elegance and comfort while incorporating strong symbolic details: a visible air bubble, a front zip, and a tartan interior. A nod to the original seats of the airline. Even its name, RK61, refers to Air Afrique’s historic flight code.
The launch of the pair unfolded through several key moments. Following a gala event held on October 3 at the Élysée Montmartre during Paris Fashion Week, Air Afrique continued to make an impression with a series of activations. Over the weekend of October 4-5, a pop-up allowed the public to discover the pair in preview in Paris. To limit speculation and stay true to its community values, the collective enforced a simple rule: one pair per person.
Next stop: October 7 at Dover Street Market, for an event dedicated to the RK61 model ahead of its official release on October 9. To accompany the campaign, Air Afrique chose a powerful figure, Didier Drogba. A true icon, he embodies the spirit of Air Afrique: bringing worlds together while never denying one’s roots.
