As part of Milan Design Week 2025, Nike and Berlin-based label PAN debuted The Suspended Hour, an immersive spatial installation presented at Capsule Plaza in Spazio Maiocchi from April 7th to 13th. Conceived in collaboration with design studio Sub and directed by PAN founder Bill Kouligas and Niklas Bildstein Zaar, the project marked the launch of the Nike x PAN x Air Max 180 NIX. The installation was envisioned as a sensory journey through phases of a club night—Anticipation, Discovery, Euphoria, Twilight, and Solitude—echoing the emotional arc of PAN’s experimental soundscapes.
Visitors were invited into a darkened, sonic environment shaped by spatial audio and sculptural interventions, drawing parallels to Berlin’s underground club culture. Kouligas described the Air Max 180 as a “cultural bridge” that reflects PAN’s hybrid of bold aesthetics and technical precision. The sneaker itself—featuring black mesh uppers, a translucent glaze, and mythological detailing—was designed for the dancefloor, combining durability with avant-garde style. Kouligas emphasized that the project extends beyond fashion or music, becoming a reflection of creative intersections across cities, disciplines, and identities.
The Suspended Hour offered a compelling glimpse into how contemporary design can reframe cultural icons, positioning a sneaker not just as product but as an experience.
Photography courtesy of NIKE