Every icon has an origin story — one that begins with a foundation before becoming something that changes culture entirely. And in the world of sneakers, no story is more pervasive and impactful than that of the Jumpman.
Debuted in 1984 on the feet of a rookie Michael Jordan, the Air Jordan 1 — née the Nike Air Jordan — was a sneaker engineered to break the mold fresh out of the box, redefining the image of the modern athlete. Since then, more than 40 years after His Airness laced up the first pair, the high-top silhouette has transcended and transformed culture in a way we have yet to see since.
Having already set the standard, the sneaker giant is now looking to the rising generation to carry the mantle and help reinterpret the Jordan legacy through their own distinct lens. Wasting no time in its search for the next great footwear storyteller, the brand rolled out the Jordan Design Studio, a global workshop that opens up its coveted catalog like never before.
Popping up in eight international hubs — from Beijing and Seoul to LA and NYC — Jordan is allowing emerging creatives to make their mark on sneaker history with their own signature flair. Taking inspiration from the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Love Letter,” the first-year series prompts participants to showcase their “why,” using the AJ1 as a blank canvas to explore every intimate detail. With each city’s top design advancing to the global finale in Shanghai, the eight finalists will come together to celebrate the shoe’s incomparable heritage and to see one design earn its place in the Air Jordan lineage.
A brand built on storytelling, Jordan kicked off the U.S. leg in the city arguably most central to the silhouette’s lore: Chicago. Witnessing MJ go from fresh-faced phenom to bona fide legend, the Windy City is inextricably linked to the Jordan 1 and its evolution into one of the most recognizable pieces of footwear ever. Today, that same energy Jordan exuded on the court permeates throughout the Midwest metropolis, serving as an underlying inspiration for everyone in the area.
Assembling a cast of creatives who understand that ethos, the inaugural U.S. Jordan Design Studio saw the brand tap in with some of the most ambitious minds entrenched in the community. Guided by artist, Chicago native, and brand collaborator Nina Chanel Abney, along with members of Jordan’s in-house design team, the three-day incubator set the stage for contestants to cut, sew, paint, and mold the AJ1 to their unique perspective.
Matching fashion designers with artists and polymaths, the cross-disciplinary cohort ideated a lineup of silhouettes, each worthy of its own exclusive drop. Still, there could only be one who emerged from the pack to continue the city’s story with the Air Jordan 1.
Read more about the Chicago participants and their original AJ1 designs below:
Name: Chelsea B - Winner
Creative Discipline: Crochet
Trained in textiles, Chelsea B is a master crochet artist who stitches her stories together one thread at a time. Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Chelsea chose to bet on herself and her creative acumen early on. After graduating from the prestigious Savannah School of Art & Design, she pressed full steam ahead, creating — or crocheting, rather — the opportunities she saw for herself, serving as the example for others that she once needed.
Chelsea BI've been an artist all my life. I love having this childlike curiosity about the world and view my creative practice through the lens of my younger self. I try to honor her with everything I do.
Name: Kristopher Kites
Creative Discipline: Jewelry Design & 3-D Art
As unconventional a force as they come, Kristopher Kites plays entirely by his own rules. Known for his transparent objects — ranging from jewelry to sculptural forms — the multidisciplinary artist infuses a playful, energetic edge into each of his endeavors. Hailing from Southside Chicago, Kites is part of the next generation of influential figures from the area, chiseling out his place among the city’s creative Pantheon.
Kristopher KitesThe Jordan 1 legacy is effortless. It's the one for a reason. So, to have the chance to evolve that is crazy. I came to play ball.
Name: Bianca Pastel
Creative Discipline: Multi-Media Art
Changing her creative discipline on a whim, Bianca “Binky” Pastel refuses to be categorized. Flowing between murals, sketching, animation, graphic design, and everything in between, Pastel’s artistic prowess extends far beyond one specific discipline. Taking heavy inspiration from ‘90s cartoons, the seasoned visual artist’s whole ideology exists “outside the lines,” producing work that feels off-kilter yet entirely authentic.
Bianca PastelThe Air Jordan 1 is so nostalgic for me. It’s the first silhouette I remember, from asking my dad for a pair during basketball season to seeing it in cartoons.
Name: Jasir Bailey (Stockboy)
Creative Discipline: Clothing Design
Jasir Bailey has always had the vision. Growing up all around Chicago gave the burgeoning designer an early understanding of the city on every level. Now, he turns that experience into inspiration for his brand Stockboy Chicago. As the youngest person to open a retail space in the city’s Hyde Park neighborhood, Bailey’s drive and determination helped him establish a renowned platform that brings together the people and communities that mean the most to him.
Jasir BaileySince I can remember, I’ve been rocking Jordans. From middle school to the stock room to having my own brand, the Air Jordan has always been an inspiration.
Name: Houefa & Dionne
Creative Discipline: Painter & Writer
Better together, Houefa and Dionne have fostered a special connection through creativity. Recent high school graduates and former members of the Virgil Abloh Foundation, the two nascent minds combine to create a duo full of potential and optimism. Coming from differing artistic backgrounds — Dionne a writer, Houefa a painter — the pair cover each other’s blind spots when creating.
HouefaThe generations before us set the tone with the Jordan 1. Now, it’s our turn to leave our mark.
DionneJordan helped expand my idea of style. The brand really allowed me to explore new ways of self-expression.
Name: "Righteous" Tre Abney
Creative Discipline: Clothing Design
For Tre Abney (aka Righteous Tre), inspiration comes from his faith. With his brand, We Are Righteous, Abney merges the worlds of style and faith, creating a distinct lane of his own. Through his work, Abney is serving his younger self, who wanted more brands like his own to be more readily available. Bringing a new approach to the streetwear scene, the designer and creative director remains steadfast in his commitment to spread his message in a way that feels authentic to him.
"Righteous" Tre AbneyThey don’t let just anybody touch the Air Jordan 1. More than 40 years later, and we’re still talking about the same shoe; that’s legacy.
Stay tuned for more from the Jordan Design Studio circuit.
