Air Jordan 1. The release of the Air Jordan 1 revolutionized the basketball shoe industry because of its black and red details, which defied from the traditional white shoe. Although NBA banned Michael Jordan from wearing his shoes, he defied the rules and Nike was more than happy to pay the fine of $5000 per game. Michael Jordan’s spectacular performance, alongside his unique shoes, helped make the Air Jordan shoes a must-have for basketball aficionados. The Air Jordan 1 model, which was originally designed by Peter Moore, was re-released in 1994 and 2001. In 2008, a Retro 1 tribute in honor of Michael Jordan’s days as a baseballer for Birmingham Barons was released.
The original. The classic. The One.
From the distinctive colourway to the "Wings" logo to the oversized swoosh, every minute facet of this shoe is as recognizable as the skinny kid from North Carolina that gave his name to it. The release of this kick marked the first step for what is now one of the most recognizable brands in America, a movement that revolutionized the design, marketing and perception of sporting footwear.
Although initially popular, the real turning-point for the AJ1 came when David Stern and his boys decided to outlaw it, claiming that the overabundance of black and red violated uniform policy. Nike, of course, turned this to their advantage when they shot the famous "Banned" advert. The league’s decision to fine Jordan several thousand dollars (which Nike paid) for each game in which he wore them added further fuel to the publicity fire, causing sales to skyrocket.
Twenty years after the world first made its acquaintance, it’s clear that this shoe is among the most important ever made. As one of the few sneakers to enjoy truly iconic status, the AJ1 remains as identifiable a part of basketball history and culture as short shorts, long socks or the Afro.
