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It's hard to think of modern-day Air Jordans more covetable than ones designed by Virgil Abloh. His "The Ten" debuted back in 2017, and Abloh has spent the past three years turning out hit sneaker after hit sneaker. (Right when you think you can predict his next move, he'll come out of the left field by giving his touch to a women's track shoe or a cult-loved low-top sneaker.) Now, after making its debut on the runway in Paris last month, the hype-driving designer's latest collaboration with Nike's Jordan Brand is here—and it's just in time for the NBA's All-Star Weekend.
The stage is perfectly set for such a sneaker to drop. This year's all-star festivities take place in Chicago, home to both Michael Jordan's and Abloh's defining years. (Abloh grew up in Rockford, IL, just under two hours west of the Windy City, and began working with Kanye West in Chicago.) The original Air Jordan V (or, uh, 5), designed by the legendary Tinker Hatfield, hit shelves back in 1990, right before the first of Jordan's and the Bulls' championship runs. Abloh has taken the silhouette's classic "Black Metallic" colorway and added some of his signature deconstructed flair. Details like translucent textiles and strategically placed cutouts offer a peek into the shoe's inner workings. Off-White's well-known Helvetica text can be seen peeking through. There is also, of course, the expected tonal plastic zip-tie to top things off.
Given the rise of big-time personal style in the NBA, All-Star Weekend has become a mini Fashion Week of sorts. (Back in 2015, LeBron James hosted the first-ever official NBA fashion show, a star-studded event that sadly never caught on like the three-point shooting contest.) This weekend, the internet will be a steady stream of basketball sneakers, loudly dressed athletes, and slam dunks. It's the perfect time to drop a sought-after Air Jordan. The big question is: Which NBA star is going to take the all-star court in a pair?
$225, available February 15 via Nike.
