1 11 18
HUMAN
HISTORY ......................................................................3 CARRER ......................................................................6 LEGACY .......................................................................8 AWARDS ......................................................................9
SOMETHING KICKS HISTORY ......................................................................12 AIR JORDAN 1 HIGH ...................................................13 AIR JORDAN 1 MID .....................................................14 AIR JORDAN 1 LOW ....................................................15
ART IN THE AIR
AIR JORDAN 1 AND COLLABS ...................................19 JORDAN AND MORE STORIES ..................................21
HUMAN
3
MICHAEL SPECIAL SPECIAL EDITION EDITION
—HISTORY—
42
JORDAN
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17,1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. He is the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. His biography on the official NBA website states: “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.” He was integral in helping to popularize the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a global cultural icon in the process. Jordan played college basketball for three seasons under coach Dean Smith with the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels’ national championship team in 1982. Jordan joined the Bulls in 1984 as the third overall draft pick, and quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while gaining a reputation as one of the game’s best defensive players. His leaping ability, demonstrated by performing slam dunks from the free throw line in Slam Dunk Contests, earned him the nicknames “Air Jordan” and “His Airness”. Jordan won his first NBA championship with the Bulls in 1991, and followed that achievement with titles in 1992 and 1993, securing a “three-peat”. Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the 1993–94 NBA season to play Minor League Baseball, but returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships in 1996, 1997and 1998, as well as a then-record 72 regular-season wins in the 1995–96 NBA season. He retired for a second time in January 1999 but returned for two more NBA seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards. Jordan’s individual accolades and accomplishments include six NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, ten scoring titles (both all-time records), five MVP Awards, ten All-NBA
Chicago Bulls Logo
HUMAN First Team designations, nine All-Defensive First Team honors, fourteen NBA All-Star Game selections, three All-Star Game MVP Awards, three steals titles, and the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. He holds the NBA records for career regular season scoring average (30.12 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.45 points per game). In 1999, he was named the 20th century’s greatest North American athlete by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press’ list of athletes of the century. Jordan was twice inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, once in 2009 for his individual career and again in 2010 as part of the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team (“The Dream Team”). He became a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2015. One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, Jordan is also known for his product endorsements. He fueled the success of Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular today. Jordan also starred as himself in the 1996 liveaction animated film Space Jam, and is the central focus of the Emmy Award-winning documentary miniseries The Last Dance (2020). He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats (now named the Hornets) in 2006, and bought a controlling interest in 2010. In 2014, Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history. With a net worth of $2.1 billion, he is the fourth-richest African American, behind Robert F. Smith, David Steward, and Oprah Winfrey.
3
MICHAEL
SPECIAL EDITION
4
JORDAN
HUMAN
PROFESSIONAL CARRER EARLY NBA YEARS (1984–1987)
T
he Chicago Bulls selected Jordan with the third overall pick of the 1984 NBA draft, after Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets) and Sam Bowie (Portland Trail Blazers). One of the primary reasons why Jordan was not drafted sooner was because the first two teams were in need of a center.However, Trail Blazers general manager Stu Inman contended that it was not a matter of drafting a center, but more a matter of taking Sam Bowie over Jordan, in part because Portland already had Clyde Drexler, who was a guard with similar skills to Jordan. ESPN, citing Bowie’s injury-laden college career, named the Blazers’ choice of Bowie as the worst draft pick in North American professional sports history. During his rookie season with the Bulls, Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5% shooting and helped make a team that had won 35% of games in the previous three seasons playoff contenders. He quickly became a fan favorite even in opposing arenas. Roy S. Johnson of The New York Times described him as “the phenomenal rookie of the Bulls” in November, and Jordan appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the heading “A Star Is Born” in December. The fans also voted in Jordan as an All-Star starter during his rookie season. Controversy arose before the All-Star game when word surfaced that several veteran players—led by Isiah Thomas— were upset by the amount of attention Jordan was receiving. This led to a so-called “freeze-out” on Jordan, where players refused to pass the ball to him throughout the game. The controversy left Jordan relatively unaffected when he returned to regular season play, and he would go on to be voted Rookie of the Year The Bulls finished the season 38–44 and lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in four games in the first round of the playoffs. An often-cited moment was on August 26, 1985, when Jordan shook the arena during a Nike exhibition game in Trieste, Italy, by shattering the glass of the backboard with a dunk. The moment was filmed and is often referred to worldwide as an important milestone in Jordan’s rise. The shoes Jordan
wore during the game were auctioned in August 2020 and sold for $615,000, a record for a pair of sneakers. Jordan’s second season was cut short when he broke his foot in the third game of the year, causing him to mi`ss 64 games. The Bulls made the playoffs despite Jordan’s injury and a 30–52 record, at the time the fifth worst record of any team to qualify for the playoffs in NBA history. Jordan recovered in time to participate in the postseason and performed well upon his return. Against a 1985–86 Boston Celtics team that is often considered one of the greatest in NBA history, Jordan set the still-unbroken record for points in a playoff game with 63 in Game 2. The Celtics, managed to sweep the series. Jordan had completely recovered in time for the 1986–87 season, and he had one of the most prolific scoring seasons in NBA history. He became the only player other than Wilt Chamberlain to score 3,000 points in a season, averaging a league high 37.1 points on 48.2% shooting. In addition, Jordan demonstrated his defensive prowess, as he becaVme the first player in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocked shots in a season. Despite Jordan’s success, Magic Johnson won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award. The Bulls reached 40 wins, and advanced to the playoffs for the third consecutive year. However, they were again swept by the Celtics.
Michael Jordan
5
SPECIAL EDITION
NATIONAL TEAM CAREER
J
ordan made his debut for the United States national team at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela. He led the team in scoring with 17.3 ppg as the U.S., coached by Jack Hartman, won the gold medal in the competition. A year later, he won another gold medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics. The team was coached by Bob Knight and featured players such as Patrick Ewing, Sam Perkins, Chris Mullin, Steve Alford, and Wayman Tisdale. Jordan led the team in scoring, averaging 17.1 ppg for the tournament. In 1992, he was a member of the star-studded squad that was dubbed the “Dream Team”, which included Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The team went on to win two gold medals: the first one in the 1992 Tournament of the Americas, and the second one in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Jordan was the only player to start all eight games in the Olympics and averaged 14.9 ppg, finishing second on the team in scoring. Team USA never lost a single game in the four tournaments in which Jordan played
ART by WELTY
6
HUMAN HUMAN
7
SPECIAL EDITION EDITION SPECIAL
LEGACY
J W
ith five regular-season MVPs (tied for second place with Bill Russell—only Kareem AbdulJabbar has won more, with six), six Finals MVPs (NBA record), and three All-Star Game MVPs, Jordan is the most decorated player in NBA history. Jordan finished among the top three in regular-season MVP voting 10 times, and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. He is one of only seven players in history to win an NCtAA championship, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal (doing so twice with the 1984 and 1992 U.S. men’s basketball teams). Since 1976, the year of the NBA’s merger with the American Basketball Association, Jordan and Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team. In the All-Star Game fan ballot, Jordan received the most votes nine times, more than any other player.
8
ordan’s talent was clear from his first NBA season; by November he was being compared to Julius Erving Larry Bird said that rookie Jordan was the best player he had ever seen, and that he was “one of a kind”, and comparable to Wayne Gretzky as an athlete. In his first game in Madison Square Garden agtainst the New York Knicks, Jordan received a near minute-long standing ovation. After establishing the single game playoff record of 63 points against the Boston Celtics on April 20, 1986, Bird described him as “God disguised as Michael Jordan”.
M
any of Jordan’s contemporaries have said that Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. In 1999,ESPN survey of journalists, athletes and other sports figures ranked Jordan the gretatest North American athlete of the 20th century, above Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali. Jordan placed second to Babe Ruth in the Associated Press’ December 1999 list of 20th century athletes. In addition, the Associated Press voted him the greatest basketball player of the 20th century. Jordan has also appeared on the front cover of Sports Illustrated a record 50 times. In the September 1996 issue of Sport, which was the publication’s 50th-anniversary issue, Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years.
AWARDS
HUMAN HUMAN
J
ordan’s athletic leaping ability, highlighted in his back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest championships in 1987 and 1988, is credited by many people with having influenced a generation of young players. Several NBA players—including LeBron James and Dwyane Wade—have stated that they considered Jordan their role model while they were growing up. In addition, commentators have dubbed a number of next-generation players “the next Michael Jordan” upon their entry to the NBA, including Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Allen Iverson, Bryant, James, Vince Carter, and Wade. Although Jordan was a well-rounded player, his “Air Jordan” image is also often credited with inadvertently decreasing the jump shooting skills, defense, and fundamentals of young players, a fact Jordan himself has lamented.
I
think it was the exposure of Michael Jordan; the marketing of Michael Jordan. Everything was marketed towards the things thatt people wanted to see, which was scoring and dunking. That Michael Jordan still played defense and an allaround game, but it was never really publicized.
D
uring his heyday, Jordan did much to increase the status of the game.t Television ratings increased only during his time in the league. The popularity of the NBA in the U.S. declined after his last title. As late as 2020, Finals ratings had not returned to the level reached during his last championship-winning season.
I
n August 2009, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, opened a Michael Jordan exhibit that contained items from his college and NBA careers, as well as from the 1992 “Dream Team”. The exhibit also has a batting glove to signify Jordan’s short career in Minor League Baseball. After Jordan received word of his acceptance into the Hall of Fame, he selected Class of 1996 member David Thompson to ptresent him. As Jordan would later explain during his induction speech in September 2009, when he was growing up in North Carolina, he was not a fan of the Tar Heels and greatly admired Thompson, who played at rival North Carolina State. In September, he was inducted into the Hall with several former Bulls teammates in attendance, including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Charles Oakley, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr, and Toni Kukoč. Two of Jordan’s former coaches, Dean Smith and Doug Collins, were also among those present. His emotional reaction during his speech—when he began to cry—was captured by Associated Press photographer Stephan Savoia and would later go viral on social media as the Crying Jordan Internet meme. In 2016, President Barack Obama honored Jordan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
9
SPECIAL EDITION
10
SOMETHING SOMETHING KICKS KICKS
H I S T O R Y
A
ir Jordan (sometimes abbreviated AJ) is an American brand of basketball shoes, athletic, casual, and style clothing produced by Nike. Founded in Chicago, Air Jordan was created for Hall of Fame basketball player and six-time NBA Finals MVP Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls. The original Air Jordan sneakers were produced exclusively for Michael Jordan in late 1984, and released to the public on April 1, 1985. The shoes were designed for Nike by Peter Moore, Tinker Hatfield, and Bruce Kilgore.
Air Jordan 1 logo
I
n 1984, the first Air Jordan was produced for Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls and designed by Peter C. Moore. The red and black colorway of the Nike Air Ship, the prototype for the Jordan I, was later outlawed by then NBA Commissioner David Stern for having very little white on them (this rule, known as the “51 percent” rule, was repealed in the late 2000s). After the Nike Air Ship was banned, Michael Jordan and Nike introduced the Jordan I in colorways with more white, such as the “Chicago” and “Black Toe” colorways. They used the Nike Air Ship’s ban as a promotional tool in advertisements, hinting that the shoes gave an unfair competitive advantage.
R
etro became known in 1994, 2001–2004, and 2007 to the present. Along with the introduction of the Retro Air Jordan line ups, the brand has elevated to a household notoriety with star-struck collaborations and unique limited releases.
Air Jordan 1 Banned
11
SPECIAL SPECIAL EDITION EDITION
N
ike’s creative director, Peter C. Moore, was tasked with designing Jordan’s first shoe. The rookie gave Moore a little direction (that the shoe needed to be “different” and “exciting,” plus the aforementioned desire to be lower to the ground), and initially hated what Moore created saying, “I’m not wearing that shoe. I’ll look like a clown.” But the shoe design that we’ve come to know grew on him and it was time to release it to the masses.
12
The Jordan 1 launched in 1985 at the tail end of Jordan’s rookie year, and since it wasn’t going to be ready until November, Jordan played in a different sneaker: Nike’s Air Ship. They chose the Air Ship because it shares a lot of similar design elements to the Jordan 1 and they wanted to fool the world. On the TV screens and film cameras in 1985 it was hard to distinguish an Air Ship from what would become the Air Jordan, and Nike wanted to sell those Jordans, so they let the deception endure. It was that little visual trick that
lead to one of the greatest sneaker legends of all time. The first Jordan 1 that sneaker fans think of when they think of the Air Jordan 1 is the “Banned” colorway, also known as the “Bred” or Black and Red. They’re called the “Banned” because the story goes that Jordan was fined $5000 per game that he wore them since they broke league uniform rules. It’s true that Jordan wore Black and Red sn
SOMETHING KICKS
W
e did not see the Jordan 1 mid created until 2001, some fifteen years after the original releases. Is it because the silhouette wasn’t released when MJ was at the height of his fame that the mid hadn’t gained the same cult following?
AIR JORDAN 1 MID THE TIMELINE
J
ordan brand showed no sign of abandoning the new design honouring MJ, releasing a further two colourways of the sneaker in 2002 and 2003. The 2003 version was surely going to be the silhouette to take the sneaker to the dizzying heights of the highs, dressed in the famous ‘Bulls’ colourway. But up until this year, you could still grab the sneaker on resale
sites for around £200. The 2020 boom has hit all mids, however, and this shoe now sells for about £500. We saw some lacklustre mids release in the years to come under the ‘Phat mid’ and ‘Alpha’ banners. For whatever reason, despite being unable to miss with high releases, Jordan brand could not garner the same interest from sneaker enthusiasts for the mids. Another last-ditch effort in 2013 saw Jordan don the mid in the famous ‘UNC’ colourway. This sneaker was surely going to catapult the mid into the conversation with Jordan fanatics finally. Unfortunately not. The sneaker was
available on the resale market for a little over retail until this year. The silhouette now goes for around £300-£350 in 2020. This price is confirmation that 2020 is the year the mid gets the respect it deserves.
SO WHY NOW?
I think that part of the reason that the mid is having a massive boost in popularity is down to the great designs Jordan are putting out for the mids. They aren’t just using retro colourways and hoping for the best. The mid is its own silhouette and deserves the respect of designs specifically for the shoe. The mid also seems to have become a fan favourite amongst female sneakerheads. Sleek designs and colourways only coming in smaller sizes may be the reason that women are leaning towards mids. Many incredible women sneakerheads are using social media currently to showcase just how good you can make a mid look; this is most definitely impacting the popularity of the shoe right now.
13
SPECIAL SPECIAL EDITION EDITION
AIR JORDAN 1 LOW THE TIMELINE The Air Jordan 1 Low is a lifestyle sneaker from Brand Jordan, a subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Debuted in 1985, the model has historically served as a casual take on Michael Jordan’s first signature sneaker, the high-top Jordan 1.
A
t a glance, the sneaker resembles the Nike Dunk Low, which has experienced a surge in popularity since 2019. Both models are rooted in performance basketball, and were designed by Peter Moore. The Jordan 1 Low isn’t as coveted as its “doppelgänger,” but it’s historically boasted a similar knack for bold color-blocking, playful themes and experimental construction. Additionally, the silhouette is among the cheapest Jordans, with a retail price of $90 USD (adults), $75 USD (big kids), $60 USD (little kids) and $45 USD (toddlers). Despite launching in 1985 at the inception of the Air Jordan line, the sneaker has since largely deviated from its original design. “NIKE AIR” branding on the tongue has commonly been replaced with Jumpman logos, while the line’s wings insignia has moved to the lower heel from the ankle tab. “OG”-distinguished, special editions of the low-top Jordan 1 deliver the aforementioned details, but for a higher premium. Pairs have also been scarce, with collaborators the likes of Travis Scott and Dior being
14
among the select few to reintroduce Moore’s original design. Throughout 2021, NIKE, Inc. seems poised to return the sneaker to 1985-form without relying on collaborations. Various rumors surfaced before the year began reported numerous colorways of the Jordan 1 Low OG arriving around spring. While the full scope of the model’s plans has yet to unfold, the momentum around Jordan’s winning legacy depicted in ESPN’s “The Last Dance” docu-series; resurgence of Nike SBV’s similar low-top sneaker; and celebrity endorsements will ensure the 36-year-old design assists the Air Jordan collection in maintaining the title of most successful athlete-specific line ever. The low-top retro may experience price hikes throughout 2021, but is currently has an MSRP of $90 USD. Special edition pairs of the non-original Jordan 1 Low cost $100 USD, while “OG” versions of the sneaker arrive at $130 USD.
SOMETHING KICKS
15
SPECIAL EDITION
16
ART IN THE AIR
17
AIR JORDAN 1 AND COLLABS SPECIAL EDITION
Nike Air Jordan x Dior
During the Fall 2020 Dior men’s collection, Maison Dior and Dior men Artistic Director Kim Jones revealed the first silhouette for the forthcoming Jordan Brand x Dior collection: Air Jordan I High OG Dior. “I love mixing together different worlds, different ideas — and Jordan Brand and Maison Dior are both emblematic of absolute excellence in their fields,” says Jones. “To bring them together in this special collaboration is to propose something exciting and truly new.” Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the Air Jordan and celebrating the first Dior men’s collection debut in the United States, the collaborative, limited-edition Air Jordan 1 High OG underscores both the timeless appeal of the shoe and the emblematic style of Maison Dior — born always on l’air du temps, the spirit of the moment.
18
With this partnership, the different cultures of America and France and of haute couture and high-performance sportswear are drawn together, unified and then blended to create a new hybrid look. The heritage of both brands is valued, respected and each is given equal gravitas. Jordan Brand’s footprint of innovation and product excellence is echoed in the élan of the Parisian ateliers of Dior men
ART IN THE AIR
Levi’s x Air Jordan 1 Retro
Jordan Branding’s offering with the denim giant was hard to touch when it came to execution and hype back in 2008. Not only did they utilize insane denim, but they made it elephant print!
Sheila Rashid x Air Jordan 1 Mid “Unite”
Jordan Brand has teamed up with Chicago’s Bespoke designer, Sheila Rashid to collaborate on the Air Jordan 1 Mid as part of their UNITE campaign.This offering of the mid-top Air Jordan 1 sports a split color-blocking that features Purple buttery tumbled leather on the toe area with Grey shaggy suede covering the rear.
Air Jordan 1 x Travis Scott “Cactus Jack”
Possesses a pretty and unique color tone: dark brown, red, white, black. It makes up the overall pair of shoes very beautiful and increases the attractiveness a lot. The highlight of the shoe is a large upside down swoosh logo.
The highlight of the shoe is a large upside down swoosh logo. “Cactus Jack” pattern behind the heel.
Air Jordan 1 x Off-White “UNC”
Still a collab between Jordan Brand and Off White. This edition features a beautiful and legendary University Blue color tone. With a “deconstructed” design, textures are made to highlight the shoe. Currently, these shoes are being sought and loved in recent days. The OFF WHITE Air Jordan 1 is a special edition collaboration between designer Virgil Abloh’s Italian fashion label OFF WHITE and Jordan Brand. So far, three colorways have released – red, white, and blue. The wider release of the third “UNC” blue colorway released on June 23rd, 2018 at select retailers. Abloh’s Off-White x Nike releases are expected to cool down for a while, so do not expect another Jordan 1 any time soon. Read the articles below for further release details and price information.
Off-White™ + UNC colorway = the jam. You know what it was, same ‘ish different day… in a good way.
19
JORDAN AND
SPECIAL SPECIAL EDITION EDITION
MORE STORIES
THE HILARIOUS THING IS, I FIRST HEARD ABOUT JORDANS THROUGH A SONG WITH THE LYRICS, “TIP-TOEING IN MY JORDANS.” I WAS LIKE, “I WANT SOME JORDANS!” I JUST THINK THEY’RE COOL. Billie Eilish is back in Paris for the fourth time in her 16 years on the planet. But instead of performing for another sold out crowd, the singer is here to talk about her love for Jordans on a panel alongside Russell Westbrook and Don C.
20
ART IN THE AIR
BILLIE EILISH DEBUTS NEW COLORWAYS OF THE AIR JORDAN 1
S
o you know your sneakers, but you didn’t see MJ play at all.
I was literally zero years old, because I was born in 2001. It wasn’t part of my generation, but that doesn’t really matter, because I respect it. One thing I love about Jordans is that there are so many o f them. It’s like one, two, three, four, five, six, and it just goes on and on. It’s still going. I like that it doesn’t really have an end. If some person doesn’t like one, they can like another one. You can like all of them, you can hate all of them, but I love all of them, really. Each shoe is a personality in itself.
On the importance of the women’s Air Jordan 3 Bordeaux:
Growing up, I was so interested in men’s shoes, and I would buy men’s shoes. Every time I went to a store, I would be like, “Can I hav`e a men’s 6?” I feel like I almost never asked for a women’s 8.I think it’s really sick to incorporate everyone in the way that Jordan’s doing with these shoes.
Discovering and wearing Jordans:
What’s cool to me is that Jordan has stuck around. It’s been around for my entire life. I was born in 2001. All of the people I look up to are always up on Jordans. The hilarious thing is, I first heard about JorWdans through a song with the lyrics, “Tip-toeing in my Jordans.” I was like, “I want some Jordans!” I just think they’re cool. Right after that, I was in a thrift store and spotted a pair of red 4s. I was so excited that I walked right over to buy that pair.
Her favorite pair of Jordans:
You can wear Jordan 1s with everything. I want a different pair of Jordans for everything — every color for every single thing I have. With the 1s, it’ s not just that they started everything. It’s still going. They never end. I feel like they’re the most popular shoe ever. I’ve worn them on stage. Billie Eilish in Paris
21
SPECIAL EDITION
FOUNDER HIROMICHI OCHIAI TALKS ABOUT HIS TOKYO-INSPIRED BRAND AND DESIGNING AN AIR JORDAN I
S
urviving over a decade in the fashion world is no small feat. Hiromichi Ochiai’s FACETASM — pronounced facet-asm — has thrived since ‘07 by doubling down on the qualities that made his brand a cult classic to begin with. In some ways, this has meant being purposely mysterious, in a way that few contemporary brands dare to be. Ochiai prefers to let the garments speak for themselves, though on rare occasions, he defers to equally enigmatic images and moodboards. He often says that his inspiration comes from life and “reality” in Tokyo, seen in the city’s eclectic street culture and remixes of subcultures, silhouettes and symbols. FACETASM clothes are unisex, an adventurous combination of traditionally “masculine” and “feminine” forms. It’s often hard to tell where one piece of clothing ends and another begins, though each look carries the unmistakable FACETASM identity. In a recent collection, OSchiai offered structured, asymmetrical versions of the classic white T-shirt and jeans, in addition to an artistic rendering of the all-denim “Canadian tuxedo.”
Hiromichi Ochiai “FACETASM” designer
The Air Jordan I Mid SE Fearless FACETASM
22
Despite his distance from mainstream fashion and culture, Ochiai has still received significant accolades. He is a graduate of the prestigious Bunka Fashion College and did well as a textile designer before starting his brand. In 2016, FACETASM also became the first Japanese line nominated for an LVMH Prize. It makes sense that Ochiai stays close to his roots. Here, he talks about his Air Jordan I collaboration, a shoe that has FACETASM’s signature crinkled texture.
ART IN THE AIR
The Air Jordan I Mid SE Fearless FACETASM
The Air Jordan I Mid SE Fearless FACETASM
Which parts of the design are the most special to you?
How has FACETASM gotten to where it is now?
It was important to make it look like FACETASM, which is obviously something we’ve spent so much time developing until now. The texture, colors and embroidery are part of this. The most important thing for us was to create something new while respecting the original shoe.
“THE AIR JORDAN I IS A DESIGN THAT WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST 100 YEARS FROM NOW.” How do you think you will look back at the collaboration?
It was tough! But it was also enjoyable. To be able to work on a project like this is a privilege for a designer. Jordan Brand has already created so much history. I’m looking forward to seeing that continue.
Making FACETASM an influential brand in the fashion world was something I couldn’t do on my own. It’s why I’m glad to be with my friends in Tokyo.
What influence does your community have on your designs and thinking? I have a lot of close peers in Tokyo who are aligned with the same direction as me. We all want to showcase strong, new creations that will appeal to people across the world. It’s not something you can accomplish by yourself.
What was your approach to collaborating with Jordan Brand?
The main thing was to find a way to bring out the principles behind FACETASM and mix them in with Jordan Brand, which has such strong values. In the process, I hoped to birth a new philosophy. The Air Jordan I is a design that will continue to exist 100 years from now, so from a historical perspective, it was really fun but also difficult to imagine how FACETASM could re-interpret this already wonderful design
23
SPECIAL EDITION
24
CREDIT SUPERVISOR HO TOAN TRUNG
DESIGNER NGUYEN DANG PHUONG DUY TRAN MANH HUNG NGUYEN THANH THAO
PHOTOGRAPHER N.D.P.D T.M.H N.T.T
ORGANIZATION D2009K1
