NIKE AIR JORDAN XXIII
January 24, 2008
Sneakerheads are salivating over the looming release of Nike’s Air Jordan XXIII (23) Shoe. But the shoe is not just making waves in those circles. The shoe and it’s launch are being closely watched by all sorts of media outlets.
Speculation is rampant that the Air Jordan XXIII ( the 23rd edition of the iconic shoe) may be the last version with the legendary baller’s endorsement, since he wore No. 23 on his jersey.
But as for now, the facts are that it will be a “green” shoe, or what Nike labels as “Nike Considered”. According to Fortune magazine this is, “an approach to design that favors environmentally-preferable materials, reduces toxic chemicals and curbs waste.” For example, Nike vice president Tinker Hartfield told Fortune that the shoe will, “fit together, almost like a jigsaw puzzle so it interlocks,” instead of using harmful chemical glues.
People serious about their athletic shoe game can get the limited editions for $230, or the regular edition for $185.
Now, for those of you who may not fully comprehend the magnitude of the Air Jordan brand, Fortune breaks it down:
“Air Jordans have transformed the business of athletic shoes. Hard as it is to believe now, basketball shoes were white or gray before the first black and red Air Jordans. In fact, Jordan was fined $5,000 a game by the NBA for wearing them in violation of its ‘uniformity of uniform rule.’ Later, an eye-catching edition of the Air Jordans made with black patent leather was worn with tuxedos by the R&B group Boyz II Men.”
One pair of kicks went from changing sports rules to changing fashion and style rules. Are we clear?
Nike is launching the shoes with a series of ad’s involving footage of various sports figures before they hit the big time, including Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen and Derek Jeter. It’s actually a pretty cool ad. Watch it at the bottom of the post or on youtube.
Fortune reports the Air Jordan XXIII will launch nationwide next month during the N.B.A All-Star game. Quite fitting!
Nike’s (clean) Air Jordans [Fortune]
[…] ESPN reports on the phenom that changed sports and urban fashion. Michael Jordan, Spike Lee, Barack Obama and others report on Air Jordans and their cultural impact on society. Just in time for the recent release of the Air Jordan XXIII. […]
I dont think the Air Jordan # 23 is what I expected it to be. The Air Jordan # 20 would have been the perfect shoe for # 23. The Air jordan shoe has not lived up to the hype as it did in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I think I would have designed a better shoe; being an artist myself.
I’ve been playing in the new 23’s for about a month now, and I have to say that I’m pretty disappointed. They have good cushioning and good traction, but they hurt my feet like no shoe I’ve ever worn. Every time I play, the skin on my pinkie toes gets worn down a couple of layers until I can barely run. At first, I thought it was just because they shoes weren’t broken in yet, but it’s been a month and they skill kill my feet. I think it’s because of the stiff plastic that goes right over my pinkie toes. If it weren’t for this, the 23’s would be a great shoe.