At the dawn of 2024, Nike and Jordan's commitment to promoting women's inclusion in sports took a notable step forward, particularly through their recent initiatives within the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association).
On the Swoosh side, New York Liberty point guard Sabrina Ionescu received her own signature model, the Nike Sabrina 1. Jordan Brand, meanwhile, recently unveiled one of its most remarkable PE (Player Exclusive) projects to date: the Air Jordan 4 "First Class".
Revealed by Kelsey Amy, Senior Designer at Jordan, the pair is a brilliant tribute to WNBA athletes who continue to pave the way for change in their sport and in the world around them. By choosing to celebrate the WNBA, Kelsey Amy and her team blend the heritage of the Air Jordan 4 with the excellence of female athletes.
The Air Jordan 4 "First Class", between prestige and exclusivity
By merging athletic performance with high-end fashion, Kelsey Amy, who has already proven herself as a design visionary at Jordan, has created a pair that embodies the spirit of the WNBA while preserving the iconic essence of the Air Jordan 4. The "First Class" boldly reinterprets the classic model, with subtle details that catch the eye.
Its most striking feature is undoubtedly the Jumpman, adorned with a solid gold finish (likely plated) on the tongue and heeltab. These logos are enhanced with a small diamond jewel, replacing the ball in the iconic Jumpman silhouette.
"I've been annoying everyone within earshot for years about putting a diamond in the Jumpman's ball. It's beautiful to finally see this idea come to life," explains Kelsey Amy. A complex detail, atop a premium textured leather featuring various shades of green. While the traditional elements of the Jordan 4 are present, a double-sided hangtag proudly displays the WNBA logo, while an elephant print and the letters PDX, corresponding to Portland International Airport in Oregon, complete this particularly successful masterpiece.
The Air Jordan 4 "First Class" will not receive a public release, but will be gifted to WNBA athletes signed with Jordan. Although the pair is not planned for a general release, it remains an important marker of Jordan Brand's continued support, which will continue to write history.
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