Jordan Brand is one of those imprints that could coast on its iconic heritage until the dawn of time, but that’s not its style. The new Air Jordan 3 Starfish sneaker is proof of that. This fresh women’s silhouette just dropped on Zalando and is a declaration of defiance, one that aims to completely shatter expectations of sports and streetwear, and push it into the future. And by the looks of things, that future is strong.
At a time when influence is everything and the pressure is high, it takes a lot to take a step back and figure out your own lane. But championing individuality has always been what Jordan Brand is about, when you strip the label down to its core. One brand (ahem, Nike) taking a chance; placing a bet on the strength of an individual and giving them the equipment they needed to understand their power and grow into it. That individual turned out to be Michael Jordan and the rest, as they say, is history.
The TDLR from that swift Jordan Brand tidbit is that cultural icons weren’t made overnight. Roots take time to grow. Tune out the noise of the masses, listen to yourself, nurture that voice. And the main messaging Jordan delivers with the Air Jordan 3 Starfish is the same thing; that these are shoes for those who do that. They’re for those of us who are totally unapologetic about who we are and how we choose to explore the world. They’re shoes for the authentic culture-stans who challenge the status quo. Who understand the power of heritage and legacy, but intended to use that to fuel their own story, whatever that may be — creating in the studio, going to school, chilling in the park on a warm summer afternoon, you name it.
They’re also, obviously, for those of us who understand the value of a good statement fit. In terms of design. First and foremost, the Air Jordan 3 Starfish is a nod to retro models for the basketball ride-or-dies, the pops of color on the toe and lining are a reference to the jersey Michael Jordan wore for that iconic exhibition game in 1985. But otherwise, this is not a nostalgic shoe; the silhouette acts as a contemporary canvas for style experimentation. The louder the better.
The canvas and suede upper blend smooth and soft textures, adding dimension and depth to the shoe. The coral and cream (or “Starfish” and “Sail”) colorway is both neutral and extremely fresh, bold yet subtle. It’s perfect for summer vibes or for lightening up a fall fit or providing the stage for a head-turning fit. It’s also a very welcome evolution of the Heritage colorways on women’s releases in Jordan Brand’s rotation.
For those who are all about that full co-ord life, Jordan is also dropping a capsule collection in complementary colors. Think mesh jerseys and tees, think barrel pants and cargos. But while we’re all about a head-to-toe look, it’s far more on point to select the elements that speak to you and then do with them what you will. Which is kinda the whole point.
Head to Zalando to explore the collection.
