SOLEFLY BREWS A FRESHAIR JORDAN 12 "CAFECITO"INSPIRED BY CUBAN TRADITION

Sneaker News: You’ve been able to express the Cuban and Miami culture so thoroughly throughout all the Jordan collaborations. What’s the central theme with this Air Jordan 12?
 
SoleFly: For this Air Jordan 12 collaboration, the central theme is Cuban coffee, a symbol of warmth, tradition, and community that’s deeply woven into the fabric of Latino culture here in Miami. Cuban coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a ritual that brings people together, an experience shared across generations, and a daily reminder of heritage.
 
We wanted this design to capture that essence—the strength, boldness, and unity that Cuban coffee represents. Through this shoe, we’re honoring those cultural roots, inviting everyone who wears it to feel that connection to community, culture, and the Cuban spirit of Miami.

The Air Jordan 12 is notoriously difficult to design on considering the shoe itself is so bold. Were there any challenges with this one?
 
The Air Jordan 12 is definitely one of the more challenging silhouettes to work with due to its unique “rising sun” patterns across the upper.
 
The Air Jordan 12 is definitely one of the more challenging silhouettes to work with due to its unique “rising sun” patterns across the upper. For this design, the biggest challenge was finding a balance-creating something fresh and inspired by Cuban coffee while still respecting the OG elements that make the 12 so iconic.
 
To add depth without overpowering the original design, we incorporated a cracked leather detail, symbolizing the texture of a worn in ceramic cup as well as the styrofoam texture found on Colada cups that are traditionally used to pour smaller Cuban Cafecitos, adding a subtle, meaningful layer. It was all about honoring the legacy of the 12 while bringing our culture and story to life in a new way.
 
The leather on the mudguard might be among the softest, most buttery leathers ever used on an Air Jordan 12. Anything to add regarding that choice?
 
We chose an exceptionally soft, buttery leather for the mudguard to elevate the overall feel and craftsmanship of the Air Jordan 12. This choice was inspired by the richness and smoothness of a perfectly brewed Cuban coffee, adding a tactile element that mirrors that experience. By using this premium leather, we wanted to bring a new level of luxury to the silhouette while also emphasizing quality and comfort—making the shoe feel as special as the story it represents.

The SoleFly x Jordan collabs always seem to align with a significant cultural moment. What are the plans with the AJ12?
 
For the release of the SoleFly x Air Jordan 12, we wanted to honor a cherished cultural tradition by launching it at a local Latin diner spot, specifically through la ventanita. La ventanita is an iconic feature in our community—where so many of us grab a quick Cuban coffee on the go and connect with each other.
 
This release experience will celebrate that unique, everyday ritual, bringing people together in a way that feels true to Miami’s Latino roots and the Cuban coffee theme behind the design. We’ll release the location in a special way closer to the release date, so keep an eye out for that!
 
Any hidden details on the AJ12 design that might go overlooked?
 
One of the hidden details on this Air Jordan 12 is the design on the outsole, which features a pattern inspired by the iconic Cuban tiles often seen in homes and cafés across Latin America and now Miami. This subtle yet meaningful detail pays homage to the rich architectural heritage of Cuban culture. It’s a nod to the places where so many family memories are made, adding another layer of connection to the culture that shaped this design.