Matt Varga Rarity is a relative concept in sneakers. Some of each year’s most hyped propositions may be vaulted up in the market as a result of low stock numbers, but there’s an entire hidden canon of sample, PE, and otherwise extremely limited product that inspires its own cottage industry of collectors and sellers. One of that scene’s major players, @ayeelectric_, is making waves again, unveiling a “Whiteout” alternate version of Ethan Ellis’ Doernbecher Air Jordan 14 design from 2019.
Certainly the shift in primary colors is the most visible change, but there’s a ton of additional heady details that add to this pair’s vaunted air outside of its simple rarity. Embossed water droplets coat the toe, an expression of the rainy weather in Ellis’ hometown of Vancouver, WA. The laces on the retail version align with the choices here, proudly stamping the name of the various area hospitals in which the then-14 year old recieved care — Seattle Children’s Hospital is part of that crowd, no doubt partially inspiring the Space Needle graphic that defines the heel and jewel branding. On the opposite shoe, the number 6 remains in place, alluding to the half dozen open-heart surgeries that defined Ethan’s road to recovery, as does the scaly quarter panel, a nod to his beloved TCU Horned Frogs.
As indicated by the “1 of 2” on the inside tongue tag, this is the only pair that ever hit the public, auctioned off as apart of the Doernbecher program while the other pair went directly to Mr. Ellis himself.
