Jovani Hernandez The Air Jordan 1 Mid has become the punchline of many jokes over the last decade, but the last year has brought the model notable attention. While some newfound fandom has surely been the result of its taller counterpart’s spike in both popularity and after-marketing pricing, recent believers of the Mid have been drawn by the sneaker’s own merits.
Historically, the design has been less hesitant to experiment than the tallest Air Jordan 1, donning everything from disco ball-inspired paneling to color palettes outside of Michael Jordan’s basketball legacy and personal life. For its most recent ensemble, the middle-trim of #23’s first signature sneaker ostensibly looks back to 2008 as it appears with a denim base overlaid with red fabric swaths à la Levi’s “23/501” collaboration from 2008. The rugged jean material forgoes any elephant print in favor of a standard, faintly-striped light blue arrangement. Stitching along the mid-foot, profile swooshes, collar lining and branding around the ankle area indulge in stark tan contrast, rather similar to the 13-year-old joint-effort with the aforementioned American denim institution. Metal grommets and red tabs don’t reappear on the upcoming retro, but their omission don’t keep the pair from delivering a compelling new take on Peter Moore’s iconic design.
Enjoy on-foot imagery of this Jordan 1 Mid here below, and anticipate a Nike.com launch soon.
Elsewhere under the NIKE, Inc. umbrella, the sacai x Nike VaporWaffle “Sail” is set to arrive before summer ends.
Images: Nike, @YankeeKicks
