FASHION

More than just a Sneaker

By TheGlobalZambian | 9th May 2013

Air Jordans début Sneaker in 1985 the Air Jordan 1

The most recent Air Jordans. Air Jordan XX8 released February 16, 2013

Today, any individual with a good fashion sense and an elaborate taste of quality Sneakers would be quick to pull out a pair of Air Jordans from their Sneaker collection with ease and without understanding the shoes great and interesting history.

With references from the hip-hop society and a rich basketball history, this is probably the most hailed and priciest Sneaker in any shoe-mart. With an unveiling every year since 1985, Michael Jordan’s defiance to the NBA’s “non-regulation” colours had the Sneakers banned. However this did not stop Michael Jordan, who proceeded to wear the Air Jordan 1 Sneakers. This caused him to be fined $5,000 every time he stepped foot on the court; Nike seeing this as a marketing opportunity, used this as an advertising means to suggesting the shoes “gave an unfair competitive advantage” and that “whoever wore them had a certain edginess associated with outlaw activities”. This built the Sneaker an adorned notoriety which hasn’t declined ever since.

Jordan 5 glow in dark

Today, Nikes risky endorsement deal with Michael Jordan, or as I would call it ‘strategic gamble,’ placing much of its marketing budget and attention on an up and coming rookie at the time has paid off in more ways than one. Jordans are the epitome of athletic Sneakers, giving them a competitive edge in the world of luxury Sneakers such as Christian Louboutins and Maison Martin Margielas.

Maison Martin Margiela Sneakers

Christian Louboutin Mens Sneakers studded

Each design is inspired from any of the legend Michael Jordan’s direct ideas or derived from his personal attributes such as his hobbies and yes hard to believe, even personal possessions like his trophies and cars have helped in the designs of most pairs.

Micahel Jordan holding one of his Air Jordan sneakers

The Jordan shoe, identified by the iconic ‘Jumpman’ logo and Jordans Jersey number, 23, is more than your average pair of athletic or luxury sneakers. It’s a revolutionary shoe which has changed terms of many athletic endorsement deals. It is a celebration of the few greatest basketball players of all times, Michael Jordan.