AIR JORDAN III
The Air Jordan III released in 1988 during Michael Jordan’s fourth NBA season. It was designed by Nike footwear designer Tinker Hatfield and introduced elephant print and visible Air to the Air Jordan Legacy.
What happens when one of the kings of the color-swap custom movement is called upon to appropriate a colorway that’ll forever be known for the ruckus its limited numbers caused? Right off the bat, when it’s a Mache Custom, you know the work is going to be expertly crafted. And in the case of this Air Jordan III ‘Pigeon’ custom created for San Diego Chargers DB/PR Marcus Gilchrist, the only violence might be a few broken necks, as Mache has declared this request will remain a 1 of 1. We have more photos of how Mache transformed 2007′s loosely nicknamed ‘Cool Grey’ AJ3s into something that captures the essence of Jeff Staple’s legendary ‘Pigeon’ Dunk SB; where do these rank in the relatively large and still growing collection of ‘Stapled’ customs?
| Tweet |  | Comments (27)  |
It all started with that Air Jordan IV, showing up with the monochrome blocking on top that was unlike any Air Jordan colorway we’d seen before. After that the Air Jordan XVI and Air Jordan XII did the same, suggesting that the super colorful pairs were part of some over-arching theme never to make it to retail, sort of in the same vein as the ‘History of Flight’ or ‘Pantone’ series. Well folks, Pandora’s box has officially been opened-it turns out the set spans quite the range, starting at the Air Jordan 1 and reaching all the way up to last year’s Air Jordan 2011, created strictly for display purposes in the Spring 2011 season just like the aforementioned collections. Every two pairs along the way sports a slightly different shade, with the 25 separate models included pretty much spanning what the rainbow has to offer. Hit the jump with us to check out the crazy Air Jordan ‘Rainbow Pack’ courtesy of brokeonjordans on eBay and let us know which pair among them you like the most. Photos: brokeonjordans
| Tweet | |
There exists within the sneakerhead community a certain group who appreciate the little differences that sometimes come along with the latest Air Jordan Retro colorway, noting that it’s these quick signals that can easily identify a particular issue’s exact vintage with just a glance. They seem to be a small minority, however, and are most certainly a less vocal group than the purists who want the same exact details that defined the OGs. The single detail that’s commanded more attention than any other is the presence of ‘NIKE AIR’ on the heel of early Air Jordan Retros, the first series of which remained true to their original branding. But as Jordan Brand became its own unit within Nike, Inc., we’ve gradually seen all of these familiar icons replaced by the equally beloved Jumpman.
Even with this unmistakable icon in place, every new set of photos for a model like the Air Jordan IV that’s enjoying the 23rd anniversary treatment in 2012, we continue to see numerous comments begging for the pre-2001 build style, and that movement has hit a critical mass with a new Facebook petition to Bring Back ‘NIKE AIR’ to Jordans III-VI. It’s hard to say whether something like will actually end up on an important desk in Beaverton, but given that last year’s Nike Mag 2011 release was preceded by similar fan-based efforts, is it possible that Jordan Brand might make us even happier? They’ve undoubtedly hit the nail on the head when it comes to gauging fan sentiment demanding more Retros; would Jays take over even more of your life if new drops more closely resembled the OGs? via DeFY
| Tweet | |
“Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.” – Michael Jordan
Long-time Air Jordan devotee and contemporary artist Sergio Garcia presents ‘Heat’, a series of Air Jordan artwork printed with gunpowder. Inspired by one of Michael Jordan’s most profound quotes, Sergio embarked upon a unique collection of art bridging the Air Jordan collective and the modern art scene, using gunpowder to create these pop-art Warhol-styled pieces. Sergio points to the Air Jordan III as his favorite of all-time and even recalls the story of his first pair, but this Air Jordan ‘Heat’ is complete with other models like the Air Jordan II, VI, and much more. Check out the gallery below as well as a great video detailing Garcia’s concept and click here to purchase one of the pieces!
| Tweet | |
Unlike her now infamous exit from Kanye West’s apartment in the early morning hours some weeks back, Kim Kardashian is wearing different clothes in today’s appearance than her previous appearance in our Celebrity Feet feature. But the sneakers are the same as those she was pictured rocking alongside Yeezy, the Air Jordan III ‘White Cement’ that was probably the single biggest sneaker of last year’s first quarter. It’s a timeless style we’ve seen plenty of celebs rocking and this certainly won’t be the last; let us know what you think of America’s media princess and stick with Sneaker News for more high-profile names rocking heat. via Splash
| Tweet | |
2011 served a healthy replenishment of Air Jordan IIIs, starting with the OG ‘White/Cement’ that dropped in January. Here we have a look at the one of the oldest productions of that classic, and you’ll notice how the OG does in fact separate itself from the Retro, seen in the flatter, smoother elephant print on the toe and heel, the shorter heel-flap that stays below the ankle collar, and of course, the Nike Air logo on the heel. This particular pair is in pretty good shape, only it boasts the scribbling of Michael Jordan himself on the upper! Check out more of this vintage piece below because these have just popped up for sale from binkable on eBay.
| Tweet | |
Sneaker News hasn’t seen the Air Jordan III ‘True Blue’ come up on our Celebrity Feet radar in 2012, but it makes sense that Jay-Z would be the one to show them off given his rapid revisiting of the ‘Blue’ theme (The Blueprint, Blue Ivy etc.) The sighting comes from a recent downtown trip in NY where Jay-Z showed up at Jacob & Co. in New York, perhaps to pick up a 4th anniversary for beautiful wife Beyonce. Hova has quite the smile in one of the photos you’ll see after the jump; is it because he nailed an effortless springtime fit rocking the True Blues with khaki denim and a blue linen buttondown? Let us know if Hova did it right with with these retros and click through for some extra shots. via YBF
| Tweet | |
The Air Jordan III ‘Pit Crew’ and ‘Oregon’ PEs were one of the surprise hits of 2011, falling into the hands of some lucky students, determined sneakerheads, and friends and family of the Oregon and Nike family. Mache Customs recently completed his own rendition of the Air Jordan III ‘Pit Crew’ by employing a more contemporary UofO colorway by infusing the electric Volt tone on the Jumpman logos on the tongue and heel as well as on the elephant print. Mache also adds some Oregon branding, opting for the ‘O’ on the right shoe and a painted-on footprints on the left. We’ve got additional images for you below so take a look and let us know what you think of Mache’s latest custom!
| Tweet | |
