JORDAN 6

Michael Jordan gave direct orders to have a clean toe on the Air Jordan 6 (VI). Some elements were the same from the Air Jordan IV, Tinker Hatfield made sure the Air Jordan VI had a reinforcement around the toe, making the Air Jordan VI the first basketball model to obtain this. Micheal Jordan had problems putting on the past five models, So Tinker designed two holes on the top of the tongue, and one loop on the back, calling it “a spoiler”. The Air Jordan 6 (VI) was the second model to have the clear rubber sole. When the Air Jordan V was released a lot of people complained that their children were falling because the soles would collect dust that was on the court, making the sole slippery. Now on the Air Jordan VI Tinker added a more solid rubber, so this problem would not happen again. Michael wanted the heel tab positioned so it did not hit his Achilles tendon, making the Jordan 6 the first shoe to have any sort of molded structure on the back. The last touch Tinker gave was incorporated the number “23" on the design of the shoe.


When the original Air Jordan VI came out in 1991 there were five color way models were released. The Air Jordan V's most distinctive feature is arguably its reflective tongue. There was also another innovation, clear rubber soles. The soles gave the shoe a whole new and unique look, but it yellowed over time when exposed to moisture. To combat this problem, collectors stored the shoes in a cool, dry place with a desiccant at the soles, most commonly silica packs. In 2000 the Air Jordan 6 released three models and in 2002 three low top version came out. Jordan Brand released a DMP which stands for “Defining Moments Package”,in 2005 which consisted of the Air Jordan VI and XI. The Air Jordan V also featured a base top with lace locks, making strapping on the shoe easy. The lacelock feature partly inspired the Air Jordan Spiz'ike. The Air Jordan V model is considered to have the best structure and design to wear during basketball games and sold the most pairs of shoes from the Air Jordan line.

JORDAN 5

The Air Jordan 5 was released in February 1990. Four models of the Air Jordan V was released to the public. Original Air Jordan 5 (V) Grapes Two models which are the Black/Black-Metallic Silver and White/Fire Red-Black had MJs number “23" on the side. Limited to only 100 pairs each, and were given to unfortunate kids or auctioned off as charity. The Air Jordan V was the first in the Air Jordan line to have a clear rubber sole. Tinker came to the conclusion that the way Michael performed was “like a Fighter Plane”. When the Air Jordan 5 was designed, the inspiration was “grey nurse shark” or Super marine Spitfire MkVIII, which is a World War II British fighter plane. To add to the finishing touches of the shoe, Tinker added a reflective 3M tongue with Jumpman embroidery. Tinker Hatfield also designed the Nike Marty MacFly’s featured in the movie Back to the Future II, they had clear molding which allowed light to come through, and that is were Tinker got the idea from. Also the Air Jordan 5 was the first time anyone had ever molded foam into a shoe upper. you can also see a flame on beside the icey soles.


Hatfield is believed to have drawn inspiration for the Air Jordan V from the World War II Mustang fighter plane; which is most notably visible in the shark teeth shapes on the midsole. The Air Jordan V was retroed in 2000 to great demand, including a new colorway featuring Michael Jordan's high school (Laney High) colors. In 2006 several re-retro V's had released including the very popular LS "Grape" V's, the LS "burgundy" V's and the popular "Fire-Red" V's. Along with the latter, a very limited laser design and the black/metallic/fire red
colorways were released in early 2007.

Air Jordan 4

The Air Jordan IV - shoe was first released in 1989, designed once again by Tinker Hatfield. It became the first Jordan shoe released on the global market, with some exceptions. Tinker Hatfield was back at his tricks storming up an idea for the Air Jordan Original 4 (IV) Military. The Air Jordan IV cushioning sole and design helped to make the shoe an international bestseller. Spike Lee, the director/actor who helped in the ad campaign for the Air Jordan III, created the famous Can/Can't TV commercial. Lee also featured the Air Jordan IV in his movie Do The Right Thing in a scene where the character "Buggin Out" (played by Giancarlo Esposito) angrily confronts a Caucasian bicyclist who accidentally bumps into him and scuffs his Air Jordan IVs shoes. After the confrontation, Buggin Out promptly places his shoe on a fire hydrant and cleans it with a toothbrush.



The shoe was retroed in 1999 in a white/black colorway and a black/cement colorway, and stores were sold out of Air Jordan IV within hours of release. However, when Nike released the first Retro+ model of the Air Jordan IV, many fans of the shoe claimed that the company had "destroyed a classic" by removing the nets on the shoe along with making some other subtle changes. One example being "NIKE AIR" logo featured on the back of the shoe being replaced with the Jumpman logo. In 2006, Nike released several variations of the Air Jordan IV, including "Mars Blackmons" ("Red" IV's with Spike Lee's alter ego on the heel), "Military Blues", and the $500 "Thunder and Lightning" package. Also released the Mist blue color and all white and all black. These particular variations of the shoe also takes part in the inspiration of the Air Jordan Spiz'ike (the shoe's side-lace strap).

Air Jordan 3 (III)

The Air Jordan III was designed by Tinker Hatfield. It was the first Air Jordan to feature a visible air unit on the heel, the new Jumpman logo, an elephant print trim, and tumble leather for a luxury look. The Air Jordan III were also famous for the humorous ads depicting Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon—the character he played in his film She's Gotta Have It. This campaign was known as "Mars and Mike" ad campaign. This was one Nike's most successful advertisement campaigns. These were the first jordans to feature the "NIKE AIR" logo on the back, but later replaced by the Jumpman logo, with the words "AIR" underneath it, similar to the Air Jordan VI. This was said to be Michael Jordan's favourite shoes, he wore it during the 1988 Dunk Championship (which he won) and many other historical events in his basketball career. 1987-1988 was an outstanding year for Michael Jordan performance wise. Michael Jordan won the Slam Dunk contest against Dominique Wilkins of Atlanta Hawks, All Star MVP, All-Defensive First Team and Defensive Player of the Year. Through all this success, he was wearing the Air Jordan 3. The Air Jordan III's had poor sales when first retroed in 1994. However when they were re-retroed they sold out instantly. A pair of the Air Jordan III model can be sold for over 300 dollars. The long awaited "Fire Red" Air Jordan III was released in March 2007. The original Air Jordan III had the "NIKE AIR" logo on the back. Nike replaced it with the Jumpman logo on recent Air Jordan models such as the "Black cats" or the "Pure moneys $'s."Peter Moore
(who designed the Air Jordan I) was let go from Nike, as well as Bruce Kilgore. When they had left, Peter and Bruce were trying to convince Michael to leave Nike with them, good thing MJ said no.

In 2007, Jordan brand collaborated with director Spike Lee to release a limited pair of Air Jordan III's in a special colorway to resemble the Do The Right Thing movie poster, also saw the "retro'ed" versions of the Air Jordan III's in two monotone colorways, all black and all white, nicknamed the "Black Cats" and the "Pure $," respectively. 2007 also had the "Flips" which moved the elephant print from the trim to the entire shoe and replacing it with white leather. Indeed "Flipping" The original design of white leather with elephant print trim. The sole and midsole in these shoes take part in the inspiration of the Jordan Spiz'ike, inspired by the Mars Blackmon character.

AIR JORDAN 2 (II) OG

The Air Jordan II model was released after Jordan's rookie year in the NBA. The Air Jordan II featured high quality Italian leather and its design was inspired from a 19th century Italian woman's boot. The Nike Air Jordan line back in 1986 wanted to make a great second impression. The Air Jordan OG 2 (II) White / Red was made in Italy, and contain a smooth Italian genuine leather. Indeed a rare Air Jordan 2 (II) OG to find, but who would know the Air Jordan Original 2 (II) White / Red would make the impact it has today, Sadly, the midsole was made of a rubber that cracks and crumbles easily, so finding a Air Jordan 2 (II) Original White / Red in pristine condition is more of a choir. Reintroduced in its original color scheme in 2004 (black, white, and red), a new black/silver colorways was released as well as a Carmelo Anthony colorway of white, Carolina Blue, and yellow. The Air Jordan II shoe was also the first Nike sneaker to not feature the Nike swoosh logo. They were featured briefly in the movie School Daze. The Air Jordan II was actually released during the 87-88 NBA season. This is Jordan's third year in the league, as he wore the Air Jordan I for his first two.

AIR JORDAN 1

AIR JORDAN 1 - The introduction of the Air Jordan 1 turned the athletic shoe industry upside down. Before the Air Jordan 1, most basketball shoes were white, but the bold black and red styling of the Air Jordan 1 flouted this convention. The NBA banned the shoe from the league in response, but Michael Jordan wore them anyway, racking up serious fines of up to $5000 a game. Nike, of course, was more than happy to pay these to keep the shoes in the game and in the public eye. All this controversy and Jordan’s spectacular performance that year served to put the Air Jordan line on the road to becoming a household name. Air Jordan have consistently been among the best selling basketball shoes since their creation in 1985. Fans have been lining up at stores nationwide to get their feet on these creations. The designers take his ideas, hobbies, and life into account and incorporate these themes into the shoes.

Designed by Peter Moore and released in 1985, the Air Jordan I pair of sneakers was considered a breakthrough in basketball shoe design, although its design was improved upon later with the Nike Dunk. The shoe initially gained a great deal of publicity and interest when the National Basketball Association disallowed usage of the shoe during games because its vibrant black and red color violated the league's uniform rules and fined Michael Jordan five thousand dollars every time he wore the shoes during a game. Nonetheless, other shoe companies scrambled to emulate the design and introducing knock-off brands of the Air Jordan line.

When the Air Jordan I model was reintroduced in 2001, they sold out instantly. The first colors unveiled were the banned black/red design, due to a violation within the leagues uniform policy regarding its lack of support. On March 29, 2008, a Retro 1 tribute to Jordan's baseball days with the Birmingham Barons were released. The shoes were a quick strike release