AIR JORDAN 1, THE ICONIC SILHOUETTE OF THE JORDAN BRAND

2022-10-21

THE AIR JORDAN 1, A MODEL WITH A STRONG HISTORY

The Air Jordan 1 High... Perhaps the most emblematic silhouette in history (with the exception of the Air Force 1).

A true symbol of hip-hop and sports culture, the history of Michael's iconic shoe Jordan is matched only by its popularity. Popular with fans and newbies alike, the Air Jordan 1 is quite simply a must-have. And the story doesn't end there: Jordan Brand has released two versions of its legendary pair that are now enjoying tremendous success: the Air Jordan 1 Mid and the Air Jordan 1 Low ! Wearable with any type of clothing, as well as skirts and dresses for women or slims and wide pants for men, the Air Jordan 1 has been regularly declined over the years. A classic with many lives, from the Union Los Angeles store to Travis Scott, many actors of the culture sneakers have had the right to have a version in their image! Men, women: this shoe has conquered the hearts of all generations through iconic collections and collaborations. Intended for the NBA, the Air Jordan were quickly able to seize the codes of the "streetculture" to become a real fashion phenomenon. We find ever more striking reinterpretations of the retro sneaker of Nike.

 

A B-BALL SNEAKER AHEAD OF ITS TIME

The sneaker originates from the basketball courts. Created in 1985 by Peter Moore, a very famous designer also known for being the creator of the Equipment range at AdidasThis pair is made of an architecture and a design close to the Air Force 1. It was the very first pair to be marketed by the brand Air Jordan co-created by Michael Jordan and Nike. Still far from the Jumpman logo, we still find on the model of the time the famous winged ball more commonly known as "Jordan Wings" which served as a signature. In terms of performance, Nike's Air technology equips the sole since 1985 to obtain a maximum comfort and support as well as a reinforced protection at the ankle. Available in 3 colorways, white, white and red, black and red, this pair appeared as a UFO with its leather upper and its look never seen before for the time.

 

THE HISTORY OF THE NIKE MODEL AIR JORDAN 1 WITH THE NBA

For anecdote, the first red and black version named Bred of this silhouette was not allowed on the courts by the NBA. It did not respect the dress code of the championship. Michael Jordan received a fine of $ 5000 for each appearance with the Air Jordan 1 to the feet on the court. Nike paid each fine and used this controversy to promote the model. What is less known is that Michael Jordan put some time before accepting this version of his signature sneaker. He found that the colors chosen evoked those of the Devil... Leaving this bad first impression behind him, it is with the Air Jordan 1s that "his Airness " won the Rookie of the Year award, participated in his first Slam Jam contest and gave his team one of the best seasons in its history!

AIR JORDAN 1 : 3CULT MODELS

Initially, the sneakers signatures of Jordan Nike released in 1985 will be available in an edition High with iconic colorways like the Chicago, in the colors of Michael Jordan 's team: the Chicago Bulls. Made exclusively in South Korea, the Bred, Black Toe, White/Black colorways will follow the course of the signature collection launch and will be worn by MJ himself during the 1985/1986 NBA championship season. In parallel, several sneakers with different colors will be unveiled by Nike: the Royal Blue, the Shadow, the UNC and the Natural Grey which will know an exclusive reissue in 2021. Although these colors were not worn on the field, they will know a dazzling success thanks to the various advertising campaigns and will impose themselves as real must-have of the culture sneakers. A Metallic Pack will be unveiled afterwards and will introduce the Air Jordan 1 Low to the general public. In 2020, the Metallic collection will be taken up on the Air Jordan 4 of 1989. It will be necessary to wait the beginning of the years 2000 to see appearing the retro editions which will reintroduce the colorways OG in a very new shape, the Air Jordan 1 Mid. It will be very quickly reappropriated by women and the young public more focused on fashion than sportswear and will allow Jordan Brand to rejuvenate its audience sneakers.

THE AIR JORDAN 1 AND ITS COLLABORATIONS

Since the end of the 2000s, the Jumpman brand has been collaborating with several brands and entities in the culture. The first of them is none other than the brand Levi's in 2008. 10 years later, the famous jeans brand unveils the Air Jordan 4 Levi's which will be very popular among collectors. In 2014, the hype movement arrives. Hiroshi Fujiwara, creator of the brand Fragment Design, unveils the Air Jordan which will revolutionize the world of sneakers forever. Taking the color-block of the Black Toe, the Japanese artist will replace the red heel tab with an electric blue that will be the signature of the artist's label. The hightop then recognizes an unprecedented popularity and will be seen on the feet of the most influential people in the culture such as Kanye West. But it is the best friend of the latter, Virgil Ablohwho will really change the game with the Air Jordan 1 High Off-White Chicagoreleased in 2017 within the collection The Ten. A real tidal wave, the sneakers revisited by the Chicago designer will be the first to experience a raffle deployment! A year later, in 2018, it is Union L.A, an iconic shop in Los Angeles run by Chris Gibbs who will unveil two magnificent Air Jordan 1s, the Storm Blue and the Black Toe. After a collaboration with Spider-Man, the creative teams at Jordan will team up with another close friend of Ye's, Texas artist Travis Scott on the very famous Air Jordan 1 High Retro Travis Scott and its iconic inverted swoosh that will be La Flame's signature from 2019. A low top version will follow the release. In 2020, Jordan Brand is partnering with French luxury brand Dior for two sneakers special limited editions of 8,500 worldwide. They feature Made In Italy craftsmanship with genuine Italian leather. Thanks to the multiple collaborations, the Air Jordan 1 keeps on renewing itself through time and succeeds in appealing to people outside the movement Jordan. 

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