Brands
Nike drops India-exclusive Air Force 1 ‘Unmistakable’
MUMBAI: Nike is betting on Indian swagger. The sportswear giant has unveiled the Air Force 1 ‘Unmistakable’, an India-exclusive spin on one of its most enduring icons, aimed at a generation that blends sport, style and self-belief.
Born on basketball courts and adopted by street culture worldwide, the Air Force 1 returns in its classic ‘80s construction but with a distinctly Indian palette. Blue, orange, green and white lead the design, reflecting what Nike calls the confidence and ambition of India’s new wave of athletes.
The blue Swoosh, heel tab and outsole inject fresh energy into the silhouette, while a green “Just Do It” keychain nods to a win-at-all-costs mentality. The shoe keeps its signature leather upper, perforated toe box and Nike Air cushioning for durability, breathability and comfort. Nike says the sneaker is proudly made in India and positioned as a go-to style statement.
The marketing push leans heavily on star power. The AF1 ‘Unmistakable’ campaign features cricketers Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer, along with table-tennis player Manika Batra. Shot in grassroots sports academies in Mumbai and Jaipur, the campaign celebrates youth culture at the intersection of cricket and street style, drawing on each athlete’s story of resilience and success.
The shoe will first go on sale across India from 31 January 2026 on Nike.com, at Nike stores and through partner retailers.
Gill frames the drop as a symbol of persistence. “When the competition is this intense, the only thing you can control is how hard you keep going,” says Shubman Gill. “That’s the story of so many athletes in India, who are pushing past limits, creating their own opportunities. To me, the AF1 represents that belief that no matter the odds, you keep rising.”
He also calls it a salute to local talent. “The AF-1 Unmistakable is a great tribute from Nike to Indian athletes. I love that there’s a tag saying ‘Just Do It’ in green. When we were playing the Under-16s, we had a saying, “When in doubt with choosing a shoe, go with Air Force 1 because they always match, no matter what outfit you wear!”
Varma links the shoe to competitive fire. “As I look ahead to my year of cricket and competition, it is the confidence, passion and fighting spirit of Indian athletes and fans that I will be taking in with me as extra fuel,” says Tilak Varma. “To me, this AF1 comes at the perfect time, a nod to the uniqueness of Indians, born to ignore the odds and win anyway. I’m glad to have a style expression for this now.”
Iyer zeroes in on the design. “The blue sole and swoosh of the Nike Air Force 1 Unmistakable is so unique,” says Shreyas Iyer. “It also has a green and orange accent which is a tribute to all Indian athletes. It has the silhouette of the Nike Air Force 1, which has been the same since 1972. The green ‘Just Do It’ keychain goes so well with the shoe.”
Batra ties it to mindset. “Growing up, you had to work relentlessly for every step forward and often ignore the forces that might be working against your dream. That’s the mindset that shaped me, and it’s the mindset I see in so many young athletes across India,” says Manika Batra. “For me, AF1 reflects that attitude: staying resilient, trusting the grind, and turning every challenge into something bigger. You have to check them out, they’re so cool.”
Nike’s broader message is blunt: “If you have a body, you are an athlete.”
Based near Beaverton, Oregon, Nike remains the world’s largest designer and marketer of athletic footwear and apparel, with Converse as a wholly owned subsidiary.
For now, the spotlight is firmly on India. A global icon has been localised, laced in national colours and handed to a restless, rising market. In a country where sport is aspiration and style is currency, Nike is not just selling a shoe. It is selling belief, one step at a time.
Brands
Emami names Dhruv Aggarwal as chief growth officer
Former Bain partner steps in as FMCG firm sharpens growth playbook
MUMBAI: Emami Limited has appointed Dhruv Aggarwal as its chief growth officer, effective 25 March 2026, following the resignation of Giriraj Bagri.
Aggarwal joins the FMCG major from Bain & Company, where he most recently served as partner. With over two decades of experience across consulting and strategy, he brings a global perspective shaped by work across India, the US, the UK and Germany.
During his tenure at Bain, Aggarwal advised consumer, retail and media companies on large-scale transformations, business turnarounds and growth strategies. He was also closely involved with India’s startup ecosystem, guiding early-stage ventures on scaling and digital expansion, while supporting private equity and venture capital firms on investment decisions.
His earlier stints include a brief role at Barclays Capital and operational experience at Jindal Power, giving him a mix of financial and industry exposure.
Academically, Aggarwal holds an MBA from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and has also been associated with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a PhD candidate and teaching assistant.
The appointment comes at a time when Emami Limited is looking to sharpen its growth strategy in a competitive consumer market. With a seasoned strategist now at the helm of growth, the company appears set to double down on transformation and expansion in the months ahead.
