The Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 Releases On September 1st

Nigel Sylvester burst onto the scene due in large part to his awe-inspiring GO series across Europe and the States, highlighting his journey as both a fashion icon and a purveyor of life’s most enviable experiences. Throughout his illustrious career as a Nike athlete – one that started at the age of 18 – mainly through the brand’s 6.0 program, Sylvester always rode in his favorite silhouette – the Air Jordan 1. Being one of the most in-demand brand partners on the planet right now, there was no better time than the present to give Nigel a shot at designing his very own Retro High OG. Back where it all started, Sylvester caught up with Russ Bengtson in the rider’s home town of Queens, New York to break in in his 1s for the first time and discuss his thoughts behind the design.

Utilizing a “well worn-in” pair of Shadow 1s as his inspiration, Sylvester took to the drawing board to create a sneaker that’s primed and ready for BMXers around the globe. Featuring pre-distressed hits on high traffic areas, Sylvester went on to explain that this idea stems from the fact that he rides a bike without brakes, usually leaning on his shoes as his restraints. Studying where his riding shoes tend to scuff the most, he used those key areas as guides for the model’s worn-in aesthetic, with each pair coming hand-distressed leading to a unique look for every unit sent out to the masses. While its beaten and battered nature might be the most apparent element upon first glance, its mini lateral Swoosh – a first for the Jordan 1 – is what Sylvester said has garnered the strongest reaction since the design first surfaced. A reflective Swoosh inside the sneaker resonates deep with bike riding culture, as it emulates a set of bike reflectors to help identify a riders through the streets of a metropolitan area. Serving as a reflection of the countless hours and hard work Sylvester has poured into his craft, his personally designed Air Jordan 1 has an indescribably deep meaning that helps defines his journey.

Fans of Nigel’s incredibly unique take on the Air Jordan 1 will be able to purchase them from select retailers upon their release on September 1st. While you wait, grab another detailed look below and stay tuned for any and all updates as we have them. For more on Sylvester’s design process and his inspiration behind the shoe, be sure to check out the full story on Air.Jordan right now.