The Story of the AF1

The Nike Air Force 1, especially in white, is a classic and timeless sneaker that many deem to be perfect. Designed by the legendary Bruce Kilgore, The Nike Air Force 1 was created with the intention of becoming the first modelled basketball shoe. The now iconic Air Force 1 debuted on shelves in 1982. Unknown to most, it also was iconically named after the Air Force One plane that the President of the United States travels in. Revolutionary, today it allows all to travel in such style. What made the shoe so groundbreaking was The Nike Air Force 1 being the first basketball shoe to use Nike Air technology. It gave players a soft, springy and cushioned fit when playing basketball. This made it popular among NBA stars of the early 80s like Moses Malone, Bobby Jones and Jamaal Wilkes, who all wore the shoe on court. "It was the first basketball shoe with Nike Air", Nike Sportswear Global Footwear Product Director Dustin Tolliver explains. "And as it started progressing and the three Baltimore retailers came into the mix, [the Air Force 1] was more about the streets as opposed to being an amazing basketball shoe.” When the Nike Air Force 1 was first released however it wasn't an instant hit. Two years later, Nike wanted to discontinue the shoe. This sparked a buying frenzy, especially on the east coast, as people scrambled to buy up every pair they could find before they were gone for good. The Nike Air Force 1 has become even more popular and recognised globally due to its embrace by rappers and celebrities in the early 2000s. It has been worn across different cultures, races, and classes and has become a symbol of fashion in the music industry. Roc-a-Fella Records had a custom pair made with their logo, while artists like Jay Z, Shyne, Nelly, Young Jeezy, Fat Joe and G-Unit all regularly wore them or gave them shout outs on albums. The Air Force 1 is a classic sneaker with no equal. Nike has given people a variety of colours and materials to choose from in this shoe, including patent leather and reflective uppers, equating to 1800 different colour-ways and variations existing today. Being renowned for its strong connection to music, fashion and basketball, the Air Force 1 really is the perfect sneaker for all generations.

The Story of the AF1

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