In Los Angeles, basketball is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It echoes through playgrounds pressed up against freeways and situated between neighborhoods, inspires generations of artists and designers, and serves as a cultural thread connecting sport, fashion, and community. The game’s influence stretches far beyond the final buzzer, ringing out beyond the bleachers and shaping the creative identity of a city where self-expression and innovation are constantly evolving. Few symbols embody that intersection more completely than the Air Jordan 1.
For over four decades, the silhouette has existed as both a performance icon and a cultural touchstone. What was crafted as a basketball shoe soon became a vehicle for storytelling, adopted by everyone from athletes and musicians to artists and tastemakers. In LA, where basketball craftsmanship fuels entire creative ecosystems, the Air Jordan 1 has long represented individuality and the pursuit of something bigger than the game itself.
That spirit is what brought Jordan Design Studio to Los Angeles. As part of a global initiative spanning eight cities, the program invites emerging creatives to reinterpret the Air Jordan legacy through their own lived experiences. Inspired by the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Love Letter,” participants are challenged to explore their personal “why,” transforming one of the most recognizable sneakers ever created into a reflection of their communities, influences, and artistic perspectives. For a city built on originality, the challenge felt like an opportunity to add a new voice to the ongoing story between basketball and culture.
Following a successful launch in Chicago, the city forever connected to Michael Jordan’s rise and the Air Jordan 1’s enduring legacy, the Jordan Design Studio arrived in Los Angeles. Guided by mentor Chris Gibbs and supported by Jordan Brand’s design team, the LA cohort brought together a diverse group of artists, designers, musicians, stylists, and cultural leaders whose work reflects the city's creative energy.
Over the course of the workshop, participants cut, painted, molded, and reimagined the Air Jordan 1 through the lens of their individual disciplines. The result was a collection of concepts that celebrated both personal identity and the enduring power of storytelling at the heart of Jordan Brand. The winning design of each city will earn its creator the opportunity to advance to Shanghai, where they will present their concept on a global stage and compete for the chance to have their design become a part of the Air Jordan lineage.
Read more about the Los Angeles participants and their original AJ1 designs below:
Name: Cheikh Tall - Winner
Creative Discipline: Modeling & Design
Cheikh Tall moves seamlessly between the worlds of luxury fashion and community-driven storytelling. While his modeling career has placed him in front of some of the industry's most influential brands, his work with Royal.2 reflects a deeper mission: creating space for African culture, heritage, and identity to be celebrated through fashion, design, and collective expression.
Cheikh TallSharing my roots and where I come from is involved in everything I do. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to see so much value in connecting with my heritage. I want that to come through in what I create.
Name: DJ Aye Jaye
Creative Discipline: DJing, Producing & Songwriting
DJ Aye Jaye has been moving crowds since she was nine years old. Today, the Los Angeles native continues to blur the lines between DJ, producer, songwriter, and cultural curator, building a career defined by fearless creativity and a deep understanding of how music connects people. Wherever she goes, she brings the energy of the next generation with her.
DJ Aye JayeI’m a vibe curator. I like to elevate people's experiences, create new memories, and connect with their souls. So I want my AJ1 to show up the same way: as something that makes people feel no matter what mood they’re in.
Name: London James
Creative Discipline: Ceramics & Sculpture
London James is reshaping the conversation around sneaker culture one sculpture at a time. Through her practice, Porcelain Sneakerhead, the Los Angeles-based ceramist transforms iconic footwear into handcrafted ceramic works, elevating objects rooted in sport and street culture into lasting pieces of fine art. Her work sits at the intersection of craftsmanship, nostalgia, and cultural preservation.
London JamesMy discipline is dirty, messy, and gritty. Through that, I’ve developed a patience for my work. Nothing is guaranteed, and that feels really authentic to me. I translated that into my design; I put everything into it.
Name: Uber Lopez
Creative Discipline: Painting
Whether he's documenting a neighborhood gathering or capturing a quiet moment between generations, Uber Lopez paints Los Angeles as he knows it. Working from South Central, the artist uses traditional oil painting techniques to preserve the stories, people, and communities that have shaped him, transforming everyday experiences into powerful reflections of the city’s evolving identity.
Uber LopezI’m a student of the game. It’s never a boring day in my studio because I’m always discovering. Being a part of the Jordan Design Studio is just another learning opportunity.
Name: Phoenix
Creative Discipline: Stylist, Creative Direction & Design
For Phoenix, creativity is never confined to a single role. Stylist, creative director, designer, and model, he approaches every project through a multidisciplinary lens, constantly finding new ways to merge fashion, image-making, and storytelling. While many first encountered him in front of the camera, his most impactful work continues to happen behind it, shaping ideas from concept to execution.
PhoenixI’m proud of my individuality and thankful for the freedom to create. We have an opportunity to change what’s going on for the future. I’m thinking past the finish line.
Name: Tamia Mathis
Creative Discipline: Fashion Stylist
Tamia Mathis approaches styling as a form of cultural exploration. Drawing inspiration from heritage, personal history, and unexpected visual combinations, she builds narratives through color, texture, and silhouette. Her work challenges convention while influencing the trends that ripple across fashion, proving that great style is as much about perspective as it is about clothing.
Tamia MathisFor the Jordan Design Studio, I'm opening up my mind. Normally, when I come into a job, I'm there to provide solutions. Here, with the AJ1, the possibilities were endless.
Stay tuned for more from the Jordan Design Studio circuit.
