Zack Schlemmer 
Channeling some late ’90s and early 2000’s nostalgia, this summer Nike Sportswear is bringing back the Jewel Swoosh. First appearing on the Air Force 1 in 1997, the alternate branding has become a cult classic motif on the Air Force 1 Low and Mid, as well as the Cortez and Air Max 1. With all three sneakers bringing the Jewel Swoosh back this year, Nike SNKRS takes a look at the history of the precious sneaker gems.
The Jewel Swoosh first appeared on the Air Force 1 Low in 1997 as a fresh new, contemporary take on the classic model. The Air Force 1 Jewel was designed by the late Sean McConnell, who also helped design the original Air Force 1 Mid—where the bejeweled Swoosh would also soon appear.
While the Air Force 1 Jewel was gaining popularity on the East Coast, the West Coast got their iconic Nike model with jewel Swooshes: the Cortez.
The third most notable model to receive the Jewel Swoosh was the Air Max 1. Again appearing first in the late ’90s, the Air Max 1 Jewel was mostly released in Europe in a wide variety of colorways. Now all three models are back in 2017, with the Air Force 1 already available and the Cortez and Air Max 1 coming in early June.
