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He always had a problem with spending before he had it and even before he inked the deal with Roc-a-Fella and had that advance money, it wasn’t uncommon for Yeezy to stunt on the regular. With more signature kicks than most All-Star athletes, and with another on the way, Kanye is definitely about that life.
The NY Giants wide receiver has been known for swapping the cleats for some ill Jordans, Nikes, and a few early pairs from his homie Ronnie Fieg. It’s no surprise Nike is about to hook him up with his own signature shoe. Peep the sneaker room, it’s lit.
Just look at his Air Jordan XI PE cleats alone and that’s certainly enough to dap him up. Being penned to Jordan Brand has its perks and dude takes it so serious he even has a humidor room for his prized collection.
Everyone gives Pharrell the credit for keeping it cool in his 40s but Marky Mark is still running Hollywood laced in every exclusive Nike and Jordan sneaker we struggle to get every Saturday.
He always had a problem with spending before he had it and even before he inked the deal with Roc-a-Fella and had that advance money, it wasn’t uncommon for Yeezy to stunt on the regular. With more signature kicks than most All-Star athletes, and with another on the way, Kanye is definitely about that life.
His sneaker game is so on point that even Jerry Seinfeld breaks out heat from his sitcom days to keep it respectable. Wale was a Nike Talk stan way before he was dropping records. The undisputed Foamposite king has been breaking sneaker debuts and even has his own ASICS collab coming very soon.
Who? Check the resume. This dude is no newbie in the game. He has the limited kicks way before the sneaker blogs and IG likes. He is so connected with Mike and Jordan Brand he even hits the links in JB cleats you never knew existed.
That early Jordan plug doesn’t hurt. Khaled’s sneaker game is so strong he jumps off boats with some fresh Js on with no fucks given. Re-up.
Fat Joe made showing off the sneakers as important as your whips on MTV Cribs and we all know about the often-imitated sneaker-sole lick. Joey Crack’s collection is decades deep and with his connects he has a few (hundred) pairs you won’t ever touch.
Another veteran who has been stacking kicks for decades. Bun B is one of the most respected and nicest dudes, showing up at sneaker events to chop it up with people and always stunting the latest heat.
Pharrell’s style is just ill and it’s been that way for a minute since he came on the scene with the Neptunes. Setting trends and inking deals with major brands for the past decade, Skateboard P got everyone trying to be Mr. Me Too.
Cudi is another one who has been on the scene before the blogs and the celeb watch hype. Before he signed with Kanye and fam, he was just a dude hustling in NYC at the Bape Store trying to stack enough paper to keep his sneaker game strong.
Teyana was really the one who influenced female celebs to live that chicks-in-kicks life. Her Harlem style has always been about streetwear and ill sneakers which led to her penning a deal for her own adidas signature line.
Fab has always been fresh, as evidenced in ’01 with the throwbacks and AF1s. And he has continued to keep the rotation strong as long as he has been in the spotlight.
The SNL alum is so fresh, he breaks out IIIs and XIs for late night shows and even pairs his patent leather Js with suits at award shows.
Ever since Rocky hit the scene in 2011 with the “Pesos” video, he has always been on some different shit. His taste level was bit by just about every streetwear teenager at some point the last few years and the trendsetting led to his own Jeremy Scott x adidas collab that sold out immediately. Flacko!
Sneaker: Kanye West x Nike Air 180
Year: 2005
When Kanye’s sneaker legacy is finished being written, there’s no doubt that the Nike Air Yeezy series will stand out as the tipping point. However, most people aren’t aware of the design work he did before the Yeezy. In fact, the Air Yeezy wasn’t even Ye’s first collab with Nike. Back in 2005-06, after the success of the College Dropout album, Ye teamed up with Nike to hit up the classic Air 180. The result was this excellent animal print-clad banger. Unfortunately for us, these babies were a friends and family release that never made it to retail. We wouldn’t get a Kanye sneaker collab at retail until 2006’s Dropout-themed Bapesta.
Sneaker: Supreme x Vans Old Skool
Year: 1996
Now pretty much known as the king of collabs, particularly for their resume of dope Nike releases, Supreme has been dropping fire footwear for nearly two decades now. But, despite all the hype their releases garner these days, their first sneaker collab harkens back to the brand’s roots. They were of course, started as a skate company. Which is why the Vans Old Skool was a perfect canvas to get the collab portfolio started on. Dropping in three colorways – two camo and one 3M joint – these Old Skools are understated and perfect.
Sneaker: atmos x Nike Dunk Low & Air Force 1 Low
Year: 2001
When you hear about a new atmos collab, you almost always think of some crazy-limited Air Max, often done up in some loud animal or camo print that you’ll probably never be able to get your hands on. But, the Japanese boutique’s first foray into sneaker collaboration came in a much more neutral tone. In 2001, we were served with a double dose of Nike and atmos, teaming up on both low top silos of the Air Force 1 and the Dunk.
Sneaker: Footpatrol x Nike Air Epic Hyperstrike
Year: 2003
When brands and shops get together to collab on a sneaker, nostalgia is often used as the catalyst for bringing lesser-known silhouettes back from the dead. As was the case when London-based Footpatrol got their feet wet in collaboration with Nike. Digging through the vaults, Footpatrol and Nike chose to bring back the Nike Air Epic in a suitably gloomy colorway. Unfortunately for most sneakerheads, exclusivity ruled over this release, as it got dubbed a hyperstrike and was limited to a rumored 24 pairs.
Sneaker: Sneakersnstuff x Puma Basket Hemp
Year: 2003
To say that Sweden-based footwear hub Sneakersnstuff has really honed their craft in recent years, would be both accurate and short-sighted. They have dropped some excellent collabs of-late. But they’ve actually been putting out that heat since way back in 2003. To kick things off, SNS did its thing on this super clean Puma Basket in a neutral hemp material. Limited to just 136 individually numbered pairs, these Baskets are awesome.
Sneaker: Stash x Nike Air Force 1 High
Year: 2003
With numerous classic sneaker collabs under his belt, Josh “Stash” Franklin has undoubtedly put his mark on the game. Though widely known for his infamous Air Max 95, in a now trademark palette of blue hues, it was his first collab with Nike that set the mark for how a collaboration should be done. Now considered one of the best Nike collabs in most circles, 2003’s graffiti nozzle “Stash” Air Force 1 High is an icon all it’s own.
Sneaker: Futura x Nike SB Dunk Low
Year: 2003
Graffiti artist Futura has been getting down with Nike for a long time now, and the results to this point have been fantastic. While most folks know of Futura through his legendary designs on the likes of the UNKLE or FLOM Dunk Highs, his first collab with Nike actually came back in 2003, with this SB Dunk Low. Dubbed simply the “Futura” colorway, a lot of folks overlook this collab, simply because of the understated colorway. But one thing to make note of is, at a time when folks primarily did their uppers in one material (suede, leather, etc), the Futura Dunks opted to combine mesh, suede and leather to add an interesting contrast to this seemingly simple colorway.
Sneaker: N.E.R.D. x Nike Dunk High
Year: 2004
You already know that style gawd Pharrell has collaborated on everything from clothing to perfume to furniture. But we’re super excited to see what else his deal with adidas brings to fruition. Prior to his work with BAPE and the gents at adidas, Skateboard P got his first footwear collab teaming up with Nike on the excellent “N.E.R.D.” Dunk High. Releasing in 2004, Pharrell’s Dunks are interesting, not only because of how dope they are, but also because their so subtle. Always known for his epic style, it’s interesting to look back at his first footwear collab and see such conservative composition. Oh, how times have changed.
Sneaker: Jeff Staple x Nike Air Max 90 “Navigation Pack”
Year: 2004
While everyone and their mother knows about Jeff Staple’s legendary “Pigeon” Dunks, not many folks know about his footwear collabs prior to that 2005 release. Teaming up with Nike a few times prior to the Pigeons, Staple got the chance to help design one of Nike’s “City Pack” releases; 2004’s Navigation Pack. Adorned with a pattern resembling an aerial view of New York City, Staple actually got down on both a men’s and women’s colorway. Of course, the very next year, he’d be asked to take part in designing an SB Dunk, and thus creating the Pigeon legacy.
Sneaker: Kanye West x Nike Air 180
Year: 2005
When Kanye’s sneaker legacy is finished being written, there’s no doubt that the Nike Air Yeezy series will stand out as the tipping point. However, most people aren’t aware of the design work he did before the Yeezy. In fact, the Air Yeezy wasn’t even Ye’s first collab with Nike. Back in 2005-06, after the success of the College Dropout album, Ye teamed up with Nike to hit up the classic Air 180. The result was this excellent animal print-clad banger. Unfortunately for us, these babies were a friends and family release that never made it to retail. We wouldn’t get a Kanye sneaker collab at retail until 2006’s Dropout-themed Bapesta.
Sneaker: Sole Collector x Nike Air Presto “Honolulu”
Year: 2005
We’ve already professed our love for Sole Collector’s work here in the past. But, if you’re looking for more reasons why, look no further than their very first sneaker collaboration; the “Honolulu” Nike Air Presto. Released at a Honolulu NikeTown event in 2005, these aloha-themed Prestos were limited to just 48 pairs and, naturally, sold out instantly.
Sneaker: Dave White x Nike Air Max 90 “Neon”
Year: 2005
While many of us are most familiar with artist Dave White’s high-profile work with Jordan Brand, his first footwear collab predates those 1s by the better part of a decade. Often credited as the pioneer of the “sneaker art” movement, his art even hangs in the hallways and offices at Nike HQ. So White was an obvious choice to get the nod on a collab when Nike was putting together 2005’s “Neon” or “Wet Paint” pack. For his part, White chose to create a modern take on the iconic Air Max 95s “Neon” colorway, on the equally excellent Air Max 90. These are just so dope.
Sneaker: Solebox x New Balance 1500GGB “1 of 150″
Year: 2005
When you think of the Mt. Rushmore of sneaker collaborators, if you’re not including Hikmet and the folks at Berlin’s Solebox, you better think again. Known world-wide for some of the finest collabs the sneaker world has ever seen, Solebox has that fire. But it all began in 2005, with the “1 of 150″ New Balance 1500GGB. Just a prelude to their brilliance (particularly with regard to their New Balance work), these 1500s are so clean.
Sneaker: Patta x Nike Air Max 1 “Amsterdam”
Year: 2005
Oh, Patta. Perhaps no other shop has ever had as many highly regarded sneaker collabs as Amsterdam’s Patta. And their first forray into collabs was a legend in the making. Interestingly, the folks at Patta didn’t actually design these beauties, Dutch artist Parra did (Patta oversaw the project). Even more interestingly, the legendary colorway we know today, almost never was. Initially, the intended colorway for the “Amsterdam” Nike Air Max 1 was a very dope blue and orange pair, inspired by the colors of a local supermarket in the Netherlands. However, before the shoes were pushed into production, the store chain switched up their brand identity, including those infamous colors. So Parra did away with the original design, in favor of the colorway we’re all familiar with today. Inspired by the neon glow of nighttime in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, these 1s are some of the best ever. Though there are some samples of the original colorway floating around, we’d really like to see those release sometime in the future.
Sneaker: Undefeated x Pro-Keds Royal
Year: 2005
LA’s Undefeated has been grinding! Nowadays known for their almost quarterly collabs with major brands like Nike, Converse and adidas, UNDFTD has gone from local boutique to full-fledged streetwear label. But their first sneaker collab came by way of the iconic label Pro-Keds. Teaming up to drop this military themed Royal, these canvas high tops dropped prior to all their work with Nike, way back in the spring of 2005.
Sneaker: UBIQ x Reebok Court Victory Pump & Ventilator
Year: 2005
Released on Black Friday 2005, Philly’s UBIQ blessed us with their very first collaboration, an excellent take on two classic Reebok silhouettes. Taking their shot at both the Court Victory Pump, and the infamous Ventilator, UBIQ gave us this slick maroon and beige colorway. Trimmed up with olive green hits and the always-welcome gum soles, these were a really tough collab. Not only aesthetically, but with only 48 pairs released in each silo, they were difficult kicks to get your hands on as well.
Sneaker: BAPE x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Ox
Year: 2006
We covered these BAPE Chucks in our previous collab post, but 2006s team-up with Converse signaled a big change for BAPE as a brand. Prior to it, the company had been pushing out nothing but their own “inspired” versions of already classic silhouettes like the Bapesta. But these All Star Ox’s marked their first footwear collaboration, and also the first time we saw that “Ape Camo” on a sneaker.
Sneaker: Sneaker Freaker x Lacoste Missouri 85 “Minty Fresh”
Year: 2006
Another one of our favorite sneaker publications, Sneaker Freaker, is also a very accomplished collaborator. After getting their magazine off the ground in 2002, it wasn’t long before they had a steady circulation and were looking to take it to the next level. Fast forward to 2006, and every significant shop and designer is getting down on a footwear collab of some kind, and Sneaker Freaker wanted in on it too. One of the things we like most about SF, is their penchant for choosing nontraditional silhouettes to collab on (like their famous Blaze of Glory Pumas). Sure, they could have gone with an Air Force 1, or a pair of Chucks. But for their first collab, the boys from Sneaker Freaker chose to team up with Lacoste on a silo that hadn’t been seen since the mid 80s, the Missouri. Done up in a classic white/black/grey colorway, the Missouris are offset with nice hits of mint. Released in typical Sneaker Freaker fashion (ie, super limited and hard to get), these were an excellent stepping stone to help put Sneaker Freaker on the global map.
Sneaker: Blends x Nike Air Max 95
Year: 2006
Though perhaps most well known for their fantastic collaborations with Vans, Southern California footwear staple Blends began their collaborative portfolio with this wild tag team with Nike. Using exclusive iD options, Blends was allowed to create this collab back in 2006, releasing just 95 pairs, and breaking a lot of hearts along the way. Utilizing black buffalo skin, neon and white patent leather and those super loud blue laces, these 95s were an ultra-tough cop.
Sneaker: Ronnie Fieg x David Z. x Asics Gel Lyte III “252 Pack”
Year: 2007
Ronnie Fieg is often credited with breathing life into the Asics lifestyle division with his unique designs of their Gel Lyte silhouettes. And it all started in 2007. After moving his way up from the stock room to become the head buyer for New York’s David Z, he got the opportunity to collaborate with Asics on this trio of Gel Lyte IIIs, dubbed the “252 Pack.” Releasing just 252 pair of each colorway, the pair pictured above was the first to drop. The other two colorways were released at a Complex release party and online. After garnering enough hype to justify a cover appearance on the Wall Street Jounral (!), the rest was a wrap.
Sneaker: Bodega x Converse Jack Purcell Mid “Lumberjack Collection”
Year: 2007
For their first footwear collaboration, Bodega teamed up with Converse to create an excellent Jack Purcell that fits perfectly within the Boston-based shop’s storefront. Packaged in a resealable bag, and done up in a meaty brown leather, these Purcell mids are set off by a healthy dose of black and red lumberjack flannel. That’s the one thing we’ve always loved about Bodega’s collabs, they’ve always got an awesome theme and very detail-oriented packaging to go with it. It’s the little things.
Sneaker: Concepts x New Balance 576
Year: 2007
Concepts has made a name for itself with top-notch collab designs and crazy releases that have folks lining up, often in the cold, for days at a time. But it all started back in 2007, as one would expect, with their Massachusetts neighbors New Balance, on this excellent 576. Look, the UCLA-like colorway might not be for everyone. We actually dig them. But, what we love most about this particular collab is the variety and detail of materials used. Peep the pebbled white leather, the plush blue and yellow nubuck, and just a couple quick hits of white patent leather. This collab was a perfect start to a partnership that has benefitted sneakerheads for some time now
Sneaker: DJ Clark Kent x Nike “112 Pack”
Year: 2008
If there is a more appropriate way to start your collaborative portfolio, we can’t think of one better than DJ Clark Kent’s beloved “112 Pack.” For those of you unfamiliar, Kent is from Brooklyn, in which all zip codes start with “112.” In what has become a go-to Nike colorway, Kent got down with this pack of “1” silhouettes. Featuring an Air Max 1, an Air Force 1 and an Air Trainer 1 Mid, the “112 Pack” ensured summer 2008 really brought that HEAT!
Sneaker: Nice Kicks x Ronnie Fieg x Asics Gel Lyte III
Year: 2009
Oh, you thought them Yeezys started the all red wave? Nah, neither did these fire Asics GL3s done up back in 2009 by Ronnie Fieg and the good folks over at Nice Kicks. But, they did put RF, Nice Kicks and the Gel Lyte III silhouette onto the radars of a lot of sneakerheads. Back in ’09, Ronnie teamed up with three well-known blogs (Nice Kicks, Highsnobiety, and Culture Shoq) to drop these fantastic collaborative Gel Lyte IIIs. For their first collab, Nice Kicks really showed out.
Sneaker: A.P.C. x Vans Authentic & Chukka
Year: 2011
French menswear label A.P.C. has really been making a name for itself lately. With high-profile get-downs alongside the likes of Louis Wong and Kanye West, they’ve also begun to dabble in sneaker collaborations as well. But, while everyone knows about their recent drops with Nike (those gum soled Air Max 1s are just so dope), their sneaker portfolio started off a bit more humble with Vans. Initially teaming up in 2011 on three shoes, A.P.C. approached this collaboration with the same understated premium quality that has made their Nike drops so popular. Encompassing three pairs of Authentic’s and a pair of Chukka’s, A.P.C.’s high-quality, low-flash Vans are perfect.
Sneaker: Extra Butter x Reebok Pump AXT “Achoo”
Year: 2011
You see, when people talk about sneakers telling a story, this is the kind of off-the-wall stuff we love to see. The boys at Extra Butter really went in on their first collab, 2011’s “Achoo” Reebok Pump AXT. Yes, Achoo is the sound you make when you sneeze, but it was also the name of Dave Chappelle’s character in the cult-classic Robin Hood: Men in Tights. A wonderfully random and equally awesome idea to model a sneaker after, this clean Pump is colored up to resemble Achoo’s wardrobe when he’s introduced into the film. And the interesting way EB decided which silo to collab on? In the movie, there is a fight scene in which Chappelle’s Achoo calls time out, and stops to pump up his Reeboks before resuming the medieval brawl. See? Sometimes this stuff figures itself out!
Sneaker: BAIT x Saucony Shadow 6000 “Blue Apple”
Year: 2012
If you haven’t already noticed, Southern Cali’s BAIT has been putting out some fire collabs in recent years. But, one you thing you might have missed, is that most of them come in a variation of their signature BAIT colorways: blue (B), apple (A), ivory (I), and tan (T). Their first collab, this banger with Saucony, on the classic Shadow 6000, was dubbed the “Blue Apple.” Designed as an homage to the original ‘bait,’ the Garden of Eden’s forbidden fruit, this Saucony is a real head-turner.
Sneaker: Packer Shoes x Reebok Pump “20th Anniversary”
Year: 2009
It’s crazy to think that it took until 2009 for one of America’s oldest sneaker stores, Packer Shoes, to get their first collaboration, but here we are. Our favorite part of this particular collab is that it also rectifies a long-standing sneaker snub; giving the legendary Dominique Wilkins his own sneaker. Back in ’09, the boys at Packer were tabbed to help Reebok celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Pump silo, and did so by giving Nique some much deserved shine. Dialing up a colorway that could’ve easily passed for a signature sneaker, Packer really put it down on this one. It’s just a shame that there were only a scant 31 pairs released to the public.
Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy (Unreleased Colorway)
Date: 2/18/2008
Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy (Unreleased Colorway)
Date: 2/18/2008
Sneaker: Nike Foamposite One ‘Copper’
Date: 2/1/2010
Sneaker: Nike Foamposite Pro ‘Pine Green’
Date: 2/1/2011
Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy 2 (Unreleased Colorway)
Date: 4/17/2011
Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Platinum”
Date: 8/28/2011
Sneaker: Nike Air Penny V “Dolphins”
Date: 4/10/2012
Sneaker: Nike KD V “DMV”
Date: 10/30/2012
Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Red October”
Date: 6/10/2013
Sneaker: Nike Foamposite One “Safari”
Date: 8/13/2013
Sneaker: Jordan V Retro “Doernbecher”
Date: 9/9/2013
Sneaker: Nike Foamposite One ‘Metallic Silver’
Date: 10/25/2013
Sneaker: Jordan 11 Retro Low “Concord”
Date: 11/13/2013
Sneaker: Tisci x Nike Air Force 1 High ‘White’
Date: 3/3/2014
Sneaker: Jordan Shine ‘Red’
Date: 5/7/2014
Sneaker: Sole Fly x Jordan 3 Retro
Date: 5/24/2014
Sneaker: Jordan 6 Retro “Spiz’ike”
Date: 5/31/2014
Sneaker: LeBron 12 “NSRL”
Date: 7/14/2014
Sneaker: Tisci x Nike Air Force 1 Boot ‘Vachetta Tan’
Date: 9/15/2014
Sneaker: Jordan 13 Retro ‘Reflective’
Date: 9/16/2014
Sneaker: LeBron 12 Lifestyle Black/Challenge Red
Date: 9/16/2014
Sneaker: Maison Martin Margiela High Tops
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Riccardo Tisci x Nike Air Force 1 High
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: adidas EQT Support 93 White/Red
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Red October”
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Air Jordan IV “Oregon Ducks”
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Vans Sk8 Hi Black/White
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Air Jordan VII “Hare”
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Air Jordan VI “Cigar”
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Air Jordan I Black/Royal
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Supreme x Nike Foamposite One
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Air Jordan VI “Brazil”
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Air Jordan VI “Infrared 23″
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: New Balance 998 ‘Powder Blue’
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Lance Mountain x Nike SB x Air Jordan 1
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Vans Old Skool
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Air Jordan IV “Toro Bravo”
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Air Jordan I “Shadow”
Summer Month: June
Sneaker: Nike Air Force 1 Mid White/White
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Converse Chuck Taylor Low
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Air Jordan VI “Champagne”
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Air Jordan VI “Carmine”
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Nike Roshe Run
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Maison Martin Margiela High Tops
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: adidas Stan Smith Customs
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Air Jordan XI Low “Concord”
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Nike Cortez
Summer Month: July
Sneaker: Jordan Future “Jordan Brand Classic”
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Ronnie Fieg x PUMA Disc Blaze “C.O.A.”
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Air Jordan III “6IX”
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Air Jordan III “Drake vs. Lil Wayne” PEs
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Air Jordan IV “Silver Anniversary”
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Nike Air Max 1 SP “Liquid Metal” Silver
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Air Jordan XI Low Black/Infrared 23
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Nike Air Max Bo Jax “South Beach”
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Air Jordan V “Oreo”
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: JBF Customs x Nike Air Force 1 “Supreme F&ckery”
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Nike Cortez
Summer Month: August
Sneaker: Air Jordan XIV “Ferrari”
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Air Jordan XIII “3M”
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Nike Foamposite One “Knicks”
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Air Jordan I “CDP”
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy 1 Black/Pink
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Nike Air Force I Mid
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Nike Lebron 12 “Meridian”
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Air Jordan VI “Spiz’ike”
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Air Jordan XIII “Playoffs” & Air Jordan 5Lab3
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Air Jordan XIV “Thunder”
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Jordan I Mid Nouveau
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Air Jordan V White/Metallic Silver
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Air Jordan XI “Playoffs”
Summer Month: September
Sneaker: Air Jordan XI ‘Gold’
Summer Month: September
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan VI
Okay okay, so this one may be a bit far-fetched, considering his current sneaker deal. But, as you all know, sneaker deals do end. And one day Yeezus will be a free agent again, meaning he could (theoretically) get down with JB and Nike again. Love it or hate it, you have to admit; everything Kanye has put his artistic inspiration into thus far in his career is, at the very least, interesting and entertaining to watch. And, we’ve also seen ‘Ye’s affinity for the Air Jordan VI, which is why it’s the silo we’d most like to see him collab on. Pretty sure we just saw someone line up for these already.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan I
We love the recent Nike Air Force One collabs with Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci and think his style would look fantastic applied to the legendary Air Jordan I. The only things we don’t like about this idea would be the price tag, and the inevitable line ups.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan I
Saint Laurent already puts out some pretty awesome high-top kicks of their own. And yeah, they may have ‘borrowed’ some inspiration from the Air Jordan I line. But ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ and all, right? That’s why we feel the most appropriate collab for Saint Laurent to get down with would be a “proper” Air Jordan I. You know they already like the silo!
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan II
The Dover Street Market x Nike Air Python was one of the best collabs of 2013, and certainly one of our favorites. We’d love to see that same simple, but luxurious style applied to the similarly sized Air Jordan II. We think it’d be a great way to continue the reemergence of what is currently an under appreciated AJ silo.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan III
Without a doubt, Boston-based retailer Concepts is one of the premier sneaker shops in the world, and have dropped some of the best collabs anyone has ever seen (Kennedy’s anyone?). What better silo for the boys from Beantown to tackle than the iconic Air Jordan III? This could be a game-changer.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan IV
French brand A.P.C. has steadily assembled an impressive resume of Nike collabs, particularly those excellent Air Max 1 drops. So, you know they love the trainers. Which is why we’d love to see their take on the most “trainer-esque” silhouette in the Jordan Brand stable, the Air Jordan IV. We can’t stop thinking about denim uppers and gumsoles.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan IV
Can you imagine the hype behind an Air Jordan x Ronnie Fieg collab? So while the hype might scare a few folks off, let’s be real: Ronnie is one of the best in the game, and an AJ x RF collab would be out of this world. We’ve seen RF get down with plenty of varieties of silhouettes, but his work on low tops is pretty unmatchable. Which is why we’ve selected the mid-cut Air Jordan IV as the silo we’d most like to see Ronnie collab on. Can you imagine how sick a “Cove” IV would look? Fire.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan V
Even if you might not actually own many of them, just think back for a second about all the amazing HTM designs that have graced your favorite Nike silhouettes. The combination of Hiroshi Fujiwara, Tinker Hatfield and Mark Parker may be the most powerful and significant union in the entire sneaker industry. Which is why we’d go crazy over an HTM Air Jordan V (as would pretty much every sneakerhead in the world).
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan V
While most of Japanese brand Mastermind’s recent collabs have been of the adidas, three-striped variety, just imagining a Mastermind x Air Jordan collab gets us hyped. Imagine their traditional, high-quality black leather murdering out the iconic Air Jordan V. Perhaps a skull logo somewhere in there…damn, these would go hard.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan VI
Okay okay, so this one may be a bit far-fetched, considering his current sneaker deal. But, as you all know, sneaker deals do end. And one day Yeezus will be a free agent again, meaning he could (theoretically) get down with JB and Nike again. Love it or hate it, you have to admit; everything Kanye has put his artistic inspiration into thus far in his career is, at the very least, interesting and entertaining to watch. And, we’ve also seen ‘Ye’s affinity for the Air Jordan VI, which is why it’s the silo we’d most like to see him collab on. Pretty sure we just saw someone line up for these already.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan VII
DJ Clark Kent’s collabs with Nike are among our very favorite, and the “112” colorway he’s established is spectacular. Now, we know that Clark is more than a one-trick pony, but we can’t stop thinking about how awesome it’d be to see the memorable “112” colorway on an Air Jordan. We think it’d work particularly well on the Air Jordan VII.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan VIII
BAPE is one of those brands that has collaborated on almost everything under the sun. Almost. What they haven’t hit up, yet anyway, is an Air Jordan. And we think the perfect fit for Bape’s unique style is the equally unique Air Jordan VIII. We know they’ve done camo eight ways from Sunday. But that iconic Bape camo would look amazing on the Jordan 8s lateral paneling in our minds.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan VIII
Now, Pigalle has recently dropped some very, very dope Nike collabs, so we feel this one is actually not that far-fetched. Especially considering their recent take on the strapped-up Nike Air Raid. So, what better Air Jordan silhouette for Pigalle to go after than the Air Jordan VIII? This could be really dope.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan XI
You know we couldn’t do a collab feature and not include Supreme, the undisputed king of Nike collabs. What we appreciate the most about Supreme is their variety. Not only do they hit up mainstream silhouettes like the Foamposites, with wild style, but they also dip into the vault with the likes of old-school kicks like the Tennis Classics or Bruins. That said, we can think of no other silo that we’d love to see Supreme get down with than the iconic Air Jordan XI. We know, we think just mentioning this proposal broke the internet a little bit. The hype behind this collab could be one for the record books if it ever went down.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan XII
While UK retailer size? has had an unbelievable run with Nike collabs lately (not to mention excellent work with other brands), they’ve yet to score themselves an Air Jordan collab. And, while it may be a bit far fetched, we absolutely love size?’s style and penchant for old-school trainer colorways. We’d love to see their take on the Air Jordan XII. While there have been some awesome colorways of the XII, it hasn’t seen as many “new” colorways as some of the other AJ silos. These could be epic.
Proposed Silhouette: Air Jordan XIV
While Mark McNairy might not be the first name that comes to mind when dreaming up Air Jordan collaborations, we think it could be tremendously successful. Though he’s mostly known for his high-quality dress shoes, we’d love to see McNasty’s vibrantly-colored sole-swapping take place on something like the Air Jordan XIV. We feel like the 14s just have the perfect lines for McNairy’s trademark style.