Michael Le The Air Jordan 1 “Lost & Found” — previously referred to as the “Chicago Reimagined” — may be the most anticipated release of 2022. And following numerous leaks and teasers, official images of the aged-up colorway have finally surfaced a little over a month ahead of its November release date.
Immersive in its every detail, from the box to the materials themselves, the “Lost & Found” paints a vivid scene of finding a set of “Chicago” 1s deep in the basement/storage of a mom and pop shop. Using a spec inspired by its 1985-released counterpart, the shoe features distressed, aged detailing all throughout. The leather on the collar, mid-panel, and toe, for example, is heavily cracked, complementing the dusty finish of the outsole and the scuffs all across the packaging. And to further expand upon the storytelling, the Jumpman has included a vintage-inspired invoice with every pair.
Enjoy an official look at the Air Jordan 1 “Lost & Found” right here. These are currently scheduled to release on November 19th via Nike SNKRS as well as select retailers.
In other news, early images of the SoleFly Air Jordan 13 recently surfaced as well.
WHERE TO BUY
Air Jordan 1 High "Lost & Found"
US 04/20/2023 Thursday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nike SNKRS US | Sold Out | Sold Out |
Bigger Swoosh
Just like the original, the AJ1 Chicago features a larger swoosh on the side panel, reminiscent of the style of the 80s.Ankle Collars
One of the most common signs of age on an original pair of AJ1s was a cracked and faded ankle collar. The black leather material wrapped around the ankle collars had a tendency to dry out and crack over a period of time, and often would begin to flake off with wear and handling.The ankle collars on the new Chicago mimic this weathered appearance and give a nod to collectors who understand the amount of care necessary when handling a pair of 1985 originals.
Midsole
Similar to the ankle collars, the rubber cupsole of an original AJ1 would age over time, turning into a light yellow hue. The Chicago pays homage to this look.According to the Jordan Brand Design team, when shoes are left in a box for years and not properly maintained, they’re going to crack, yellow and pigment. The goal with the AJ1 Chicago was to hint at this subtle aging look, while adding tactility to the shoe’s sole.
Aged Leather
Leather is a natural material that requires ongoing maintenance. With years of neglect in a stockroom leather starts to dry out and leave visible signs of aging. The Chicago offers hints of dryness in the leather, most noticeably in the toe area and side panels.The Jordan Brand designers who worked on the shoe took note of the condition in the leather from several older pairs of AJ1s. Observing how some of the oils in the leather came to the surface and created different visible effects, they recreated a rich look using premium materials that will last longer for today’s consumers.
OG Box & Lid
In a nod to the “lost and found” nature of the colorway, the updated Chicago comes with a mismatched box lid that speaks to the shoes being misplaced in back rooms and basements.Designers added extra details both inside and outside the box that serve as a shout out to shoe promotions created once upon a time. According to the Jordan design team, every detail should be recognizable to those who grew up back in those days, while giving new sneakerheads a chance to experience what it was like.
One such example is the inclusion with every pair of a vintage receipt meant to replicate actual receipts that found their way into the hands of collectors from deadstock shoeboxes. The receipt calls up images of how sneakers used to be acquired in analog fashion before the internet age.
Retelling the Story
As a result of the many unique design choices, not every pair of updated AJ1s will look exactly the same. The subtle differences in each sneaker reinforce the throwback theme of this colorway.
