It’s holiday SZN, and that means we’re making our lists and checking them twice. Earlier this month, CNK had the opportunity to catch a sneak peak of Jordan Brand’s Holiday 2019 Collection at the SNS Bar in New York City. Not only did we see some creative variations of the OG Air Jordan 1, the event also celebrated how the infamous silhouette impacted culture as a whole.

Upon entering the venue, there was a wall highlighting the most coveted pairs of Air Jordan 1 colorways through the years, from the Off White x Jordan UNC 1 to the Satin Shattered Backboards. As we walked down the stairs, each display we passed gave us a preview of the upcoming Air Jordan 1 releases for the holiday season. The first shoe that caught our attention was the Air Jordan 1 SE Fearless by Melody Ehsani.

When it comes to Melody, we become ultimate fan girls. Melody Ehsani is the epitome of what sneakHER culture and female empowerment stand for. She is well-known in the game for her brand that comes with inspiring messages and collaborations with Reebok. She has since opened up her own boutique in the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan. Many Jordan fans will notice with Melody’s shoe that the colorway can be seen as a homage to past Jordan 1 silhouettes. A unique feature on the shoe reflecting Ehsani’s creativity are the watch faces used as lace locks (best believe we checked if the watch faces were battery operated LOL). Other AJ1 releases included the Shattered Backboard 3.0, Air Jordan 1 Women’s Fearless and the Fearless Maison Chateau Rouge. All of the sneakers exemplified the legacy of a timeless pair through creative collaborations and reimagined aesthetics. 

The most significant aspect of the event was that it was hosted on October 18th, also known to sneaker aficionados as “Banned Day.” The iconic Jordan 1 “Banned” colorway made history on that same day when the NBA ruled that Michael Jordan violated the league’s rules for wearing the red and black basketball shoes. Subsequently, MJ faced a $5,000 fine for each game that he chose to wear the shoe in 1984. During the event, we noticed the majority of individuals wearing a Jordan 1 sneaker as a nod to Jordan Brand heritage. Even after 31 years of the NBA’s attempt to prevent Michael Jordan from wearing the shoe, it still leaves an impact to inspire future generations.

After everyone mingled and networked, Jordan Brand Communications Manager, Samantha Baker, moderated a panel with stylist Rox Brown, psychotherapist and mental health advocate Liz Beecroft, ESPN’s Bomani Jones and State of The Culture co-host Jersey Jinx. Samantha asked each panelist about their relationship with the Jordan 1 sneaker and how it has impacted their lives. 

One answer that stood out to us is when Rox Brown explained her personal connection with the AJ1. During her childhood, her mother would ask her which color Jordan she wanted. She said she always chose black because black is a color that can get dirty and you can wear it multiple times. Brown noted that her experience as a child became the inspiration for her Jordan 1 shoe design. Features on her AJI, like the 3M paneling, was meant for the wearer to feel they had two shoes in one. Personally, I could relate because my mother only bought me two pairs of Air Jordans during my high school years, specifically the Air Jordan Spiz’ike White Cement and a pair of Air Jordan XIVs. With that being said, we all have similar experiences that connect us in different ways to a specific sneaker.

Liz Beecroft explained that the AJI became the blueprint for our generation and how we are motivated and inspired to follow our dreams regardless if it does not fit the status quo. The statement reflects Michael Jordan’s defiance against the league to continue to inspire future generations and as Bomani Jones noted, “everyone still wants to be like Michael Jordan.”

The night was powered by sneaker history, purposeful collaborations, and impactful conversations. It was more than just a good time from an amazing brand. Outside of the greeting familiar faces and even designing “Fearless” screen printed T-shirts, the night was a testament to the ongoing legacy and the way Jordan Brand makes us feel.