Air Jordan 1 Low

Air Jordan 1 High, rebel with attitude

Can you sell a banned basketball shoe ? Yes. A twist of fate or a marketing stunt, the first Air Jordan 1 High was indeed banned by the NBA. The American league refuses to allow Michael Jordan , a young Bulls player, to appear with the pair during the Chicago franchise's matches, because it violates uniform regulations. It even costs him $5,000 per offense. With its slogan, “The NBA can't stop you from wearing them”, Nike is taking advantage of the buzz and encouraging fans to defy the bans by buying its sneakers. With its OG black, red and white colorway, the sneaker has been an icon and a little rebel since its release.

His Majesty Air Jordan

The Nike Air Jordan 1 was designed in 1985 by Peter Moore, creator of other iconic models such as the Nike Dunk and the Nike Air Force 1 . That year, Michael Jordan was not yet the best player in NBA history. He is a rookie to whom the Oregon equipment manufacturer is offering a huge contract of $2.5 million over 5 years to promote its new jewel. If MJ already aims to reign over the NBA, the Air Jordan 1 becomes the first queen of a long dynasty. It's with her that it all begins. She will evolve, grow and follow the same trajectory as her majesty Jordan, from rookie full of promise to legendary status.

AJ1 High, sneakers that reach the summits

Its silhouette is elegant and its airy style, evidenced by the distinctive logo affixed to the ankle which represents two wings surrounding a basketball. According to the legend, it was drawn on a plane using a pin as a model that a flight attendant distributed to passengers. Nike uses this metaphor to the fullest. In a 1985 TV commercial, MJ takes to the skies and dunks into the deafening noise of an airplane engine. The silhouette of the Jumpman, the iconic logo of the Air Jordan brand, is displayed on the screen. Since the beginning and the ban decided by the NBA, the American firm has had fun storytelling around its Air Jordan. Nike no longer only makes shoes, it also provides entertainment.

Which pair of Air Jordan 1 High to choose?