Following the tragic passing of Virgil Abloh, sneaker culture is once again in mourning this Friday, April 29. Indeed, Peter Moore, the designer behind the iconic Air Jordan 1 and the elegant Nike Dunk Low has unfortunately left us.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Peter Moore, an iconic designer, whose legacy will forever be linked to Jordan Brand, and to the sneaker culture he helped create," later stated Jumpman Vice President, Howard "H" White.
Creative Director at Nike and Adidas, he leaves a great void in the sneaker industry with revolutionary works and projects.
Credits Photo : @adidasoriginals (Instagram)
"Equipment is not just a word. You don’t have a piece of equipment to play with, you have a piece of equipment to make you better." – Peter Moore.
Tasked with designing the fabulous Air Jordan 1, Peter Moore played a crucial role in developing the image of Nike and products intended for the brand. Indeed, appointed first creative director in 1983, he aimed to develop a model intended for NBA courts with a design close to excellence, marking the culmination of the partnership between the sportswear brand and Michael Jordan.
Moreover, Moore already had some ideas for Michael Jordan's signature shoe collection following his commitment, notably with a historically charged logo. He envisioned the Air Jordan Wings logo while on a plane to Portland, sitting next to a young boy.
"I noticed this young boy who had on him a pilot wing imitation given to him by the airline. I immediately thought it could fit with the idea of a man being able to fly," he stated.
Credits Photo : Sole Collector
If Peter Moore created the Air Jordan Wings logo and placed it on the quarter panel, he is also the designer of the Jumpman logo which is now the reference on all silhouettes of the brand.
Avant-garde, ambitious, and innovative, Peter Moore is today responsible for the evolution of sneaker culture thanks to his high silhouette that appeared in 1985. The AJ1 stands as an iconic monument that has marked history and minds and remains an essential must-have.
Renowned for his iconic creation, he is also the author of the Nike Dunk Low released the same year. Overshadowed by the problematic release of the Jordan 1, it shares common lines with several other models of the time. However, it would take until 2018 for it to fully integrate into sneaker culture as a must-cop after multiple partnerships that allowed for its modernization.
From Nike to Adidas
The talented Peter Moore worked for Nike until 1987 before leaving the brand. While his work for the Swoosh brand is iconic, his work for Adidas also helped to revive its success. Indeed, the legendary designer was contacted alongside Rob Strasser by Adidas officials. They wanted to draw on his expertise to revive the brand.
As a result, Moore created the Adidas Equipment line. Launched in March 1991, it offers numerous silhouettes for various sports and represents the largest marketing campaign in the history of the German equipment manufacturer.
Building on this success, the line revived the brand and also owes its mountain logo to Peter Moore. Found on every product, it was created in 1997 and features a minimalist design. Simple yet effective, this logo perfectly represents Adidas and leaves a superb legacy from the designer.
Credits Photo : @adidasoriginals (Instagram)
"The Adidas family is saddened by the death of our dear friend Peter Moore," stated the sportswear brand in a statement. "Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and all those who knew him. Peter was a true legend and icon in our industry, and it is impossible to overstate the impact he had on Adidas. He will be greatly missed and his legacy will live on forever.”
Our thoughts today are with his wife, children, and loved ones.