Sneakerheads, take note. Native Star in the Gaslamp Quarter will host an exclusive “shoe drop” of Nike’s N7 Summer Collection on June 19.
Coinciding with the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, this N7 Collection launch will feature soccer footwear and a line of apparel inspired by Indigenous athletes.
Native Star owner/founder Ruth-Ann Thorn is the first and only Native American to run a retail store in downtown San Diego. Her high-end, Indigenous-focused boutique is one of just a few in Southern California.
Nike’s N7 line will be available for sale on nike.com on June 18. The next day, Native Star will be the only brick-and-mortar retail outlet selling the shoes and apparel.
Lines around the block are common for major shoe drop events by Nike. Thorn says the store will open at 11 a.m. and she’ll have about 50 pairs of shoes on hand. Customers will be limited to purchasing just one pair. That’s primarily to quell escalated sales of popular, limited-edition shoes on the billion-dollar secondary market.
The N7 Collection shoes will retail for about $200 a pair.
From a collector’s standpoint, the N7 Collection is highly anticipated because of Nike’s use of premium, textured materials like suede, braided details and unique embroidery.
Thorn, who is a member of the San Diego-based Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, says this event is all about representation.
“There are a lot of great Native American athletes – like Jim Thorpe – who people don’t know their backstory,” Thorn says. “We’re underrepresented. There’s no Native American Beyoncé .”
She says Nike is allowing youths to see themselves represented by a major brand.
“It allows young people to hold their head up high,” Thorn says. “It’s one platform for people to realize Native Americans are still here. Too many people don’t know we’re still around.”
According to a pre-release statement by Nike, the shoes and apparel are inspired by Native textile traditions and the art of rug making, and celebrate Indigenous craftsmanship, especially from the Southwest.
The N7 rollout campaign will feature Madison Hammond, the first Native American to compete in the National Women’s Soccer League.
“The colors represent mountainous terrain, clay, water — all of these things that bring so much meaning to me, my family and my people,” said Hammond, a Utah Royals FC defensive midfielder.
Thorn says she is “salivating” over this opportunity to showcase Nike’s homage to Native American causes.
Thorn appears in the streaming series This Is Indian Country. She was recently chosen by Time magazine as a top influential company in the United States in the beauty/fashion category. And she’s currently expanding her operations in the Yuma Building in the Gaslamp Quarter, where Native Star is located.
Thorn anticipates future Nike N7 Collections shoe drops will be held at Native Star.
She applauds Nike’s N7 Fund, which raises money to help fund Indigenous sports programs. “They do sports camps for Native kids in need, buy equipment and nurture talent.”
Since 2022, Nike has invested $625,000 in grants through the N7 Fund.
The “N” in N7 stands for both Nike and Native. The “7” derives from an Indigenous philosophy that calls for considering the impact on the next seven generations of all decisions made.
“N7 has been embraced for elevating Native athletes, creators, and storytellers in ways that are respectful and real,” Nike N7 Director Izzy Yasana said. “Ultimately, N7 footwear represents more than performance – it symbolizes opportunity, connection and a commitment to positive change.” SDSun
