Off-White x Air Jordan 5 set for February 15th Release

QUICK TAKE:

Nike and Jordan Brand continue their relationship with Virgil Abloh and his brand, Off-White, this time letting the designer get his hands on the Air Jordan 5 silhouette. Abloh makes his mark on the model using his unique style of deconstruction to modify it in his own special way. Is this new rendition of the Air Jordan 5 better or worse than the classic version? Check out more info below.

DESIGN:

Abloh chose the “Metallic Black” Air Jordan 5 colorway for his own rendition of the classic high-top basketball shoe. He retains the classic logo, the ’23’ on the heel, laces locks, and the speckled grey midsole spikes. The soles even come pre-yellowed, so you don’t have to worry about keeping them icy clean.

Immediately, his obvious changes to the silhouette are a variety of circular windows cut into the tongue, mid-foot caging, and ankle collars of the upper. Other ‘blueprint’ elements include a textured, slightly transclucent material used for the upper. Finally, the recurring hang tag and written branding on the medial area of the upper continue from his previous models, as well as “SHOELACES” featured on the laces themselves.

ANALYSIS:

Virgil Abloh has changed the sneaker world drastically in the last three years, introducing a variety of models and collaborations that all immediately sold off the shelves. His touch has led to a revolution in deconstruction of footwear, with Nike even introducing their own models similar to the consistent work of Off-White and Louis Vuitton’s lead man.

Abloh’s prolific career will already be fondly remembered by most of the streetwear and sneaker world, and as his portfolio continues to grow, it’s hard to argue that he may be one of the most influential streetwear designers of all time, despite the fact that most of his work is modifying the original designs of others- not a dig, just a fact.