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Student Designers Create New Air Jordan I Mid Subway, Inspired by the Unsung Heroes of NYC

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What to know

  • The latest release from the Jordan Wings Design Program, the Air Jordan I Mid Subway, is inspired by the unsung heroes of NYC: the staff of the MTA, the largest public transit system in North America.
  • During the course of six weeks, more than 130 high school students from nationwide Jordan Brand Wings partner organizations worked closely with members of the Jordan Brand product-creation team to design an Air Jordan I centered on the theme of “role models.” These students, from cities including Los Angeles; Chicago; Charlotte, N.C.; Philadelphia and more, were encouraged to weave personal narratives into their designs, creatively honoring the local figures who support their dreams. Students from each city pitched their final designs to a broad panel of Jordan Brand employees, who selected one final design to go into production: New York City’s Air Jordan I Mid Subway.
  • The Air Jordan I Mid Subway releases May 15 in grade school, preschool and toddler sizes on nike.com and at Nike House of Innovation NYC and Nike Soho.

May 02, 2024

By Highpoint Digest News

Beaverton, OR – (Highpoint Digest) – Jordan Brand Wings started in 2015 to break down the barriers that hold young people back from educational opportunities. One of four key global investments from Wings is the Design Program. In partnership with Jordan Brand Design team members, the program serves students and acts as a launchpad for those with creative passions or ambitions, whether they dream of pursuing design school, starting their own brand, or creating products for social change that are rooted in their local cities. 

The latest release from the Jordan Wings Design Program, the Air Jordan I Mid Subway, is inspired by the unsung heroes of NYC: the staff of the MTA, the largest public transit system in North America.

During the course of six weeks, more than 130 high school students from nationwide Jordan Brand Wings partner organizations worked closely with members of the Jordan Brand product-creation team to design an Air Jordan I centered on the theme of “role models.” These students, from cities including Los Angeles; Chicago; Charlotte, N.C.; Philadelphia and more, were encouraged to weave personal narratives into their designs, creatively honoring the local figures who support their dreams. Students from each city pitched their final designs to a broad panel of Jordan Brand employees, who selected one final design to go into production: New York City’s Air Jordan 1 Mid Subway.

The limited-edition Air Jordan 1 Mid is a thank-you to the MTA crews who tirelessly help New Yorkers reach their destination. Inspirational phrases adorn the shoe, recognizing the MTA employees for their service. “Always Go Forward” appears on the toe, honoring the mindset of the crews who move NYC along, even through difficult times. “Thank You For All You Do” appears on the backside of the tongue. Other details of the shoe are inspired by the unmistakable branding of the transit system (explore more of those details in the photo captions below).

“I feel so proud thinking about the people who will be wearing and enjoying this shoe,” says Oscar Chun, one of the NYC student designers. “Now I know what it must feel like when musicians hear their songs on the radio for the first time.”

The Air Jordan I Mid Subway releases May 15 in grade school, preschool and toddler sizes on nike.com and at Nike House of Innovation NYC and Nike Soho.

Air Jordan I Mid Subway

The reflective Swoosh symbolizes the reflective stripes on MTA trains; the secondary laces are also reflective. The gray and black upper is a nod to the colors of the train, built with water-resistant leathers for durability during New York City weather.

“Always Go Forward” can be found on the toe, showcasing the mentality of the MTA pushing NYC along, even through hard times. “Thank You For All You Do” is on the backside of the tongue as a nod to the MTA employees.

Rogelio Ramirez Pacheco, one of the NYC student designers, holds the shoe. “Having this opportunity is a privilege,” says Rogelio. “When I was growing up, sometimes I would only have one pair of shoes. Who would’ve thought that I would someday be designing my own shoe and working with Jordan Brand?”

During the course of six weeks, more than 130 high school students from nationwide Jordan Brand Wings partner organizations worked closely with members of the Jordan Brand product-creation team to design an Air Jordan I centered on the theme of “role models.” These students, from cities including Los Angeles; Chicago; Charlotte, N.C.; Philadelphia and more, were encouraged to weave personal narratives into their designs, creatively honoring the local figures who support their dreams. Students from each city pitched their final designs to a broad panel of Jordan Brand employees, who selected one final design to go into production: New York City’s Air Jordan I Mid Subway.

The “NIKE” train line graphic is on both the tongue and sock liner.

The tissue paper in the packaging was also designed by Wings students and features illustrations of various subway stops and pigeons. As a tribute, the silicone Jumpman tag features colors representing the New York City train lines.

Rogelio and Oscar, two of the NYC student designers of the Air Jordan I Mid Subway.
The speckled liner and midsole reference the speckled floors in the stations and on the trains.

Oscar Chun, one of the NYC student designers, holds the shoe. “I feel so proud thinking about the people who will be wearing and enjoying this shoe,” says Oscar. “Now I know what it must feel like when musicians hear their songs on the radio for the first time.”
During the course of six weeks, more than 130 high school students from nationwide Jordan Brand Wings partner organizations worked closely with members of the Jordan Brand product-creation team to design an Air Jordan I centered on the theme of “role models.” These students, from cities including Los Angeles; Chicago; Charlotte, N.C.; Philadelphia and more, were encouraged to weave personal narratives into their designs, creatively honoring the local figures who support their dreams. Students from each city pitched their final designs to a broad panel of Jordan Brand employees, who selected one final design to go into production: New York City’s Air Jordan I Mid Subway.

Source: Nike

Photos courtesy of Nike

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