blurring the lines between performance and fashion The the extensive collection of Virgil abloh with his Swoosh brand.
The 1980s were a time when there was a belief that you needed to be a big guy to be a winner of the NBA title. Ten years later, Michael Jordan shattered that perception by dominating the NBA as a shooter. The 2000s were a time when people believed that you needed to be a graduate of Parsons, Central Saint Martins or the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts to enter the world of fashion. A decade after, Virgil Abloh obliterated that idea in bringing remix fashion on the runway, drawing inspiration from streetwear, music and sportswear in collections after collection.
The top of this shift is one collaboration that stands over all others Nike’s “The Ten” in 2017. It’s a collection that combines traditional and modern sneakers dismantled and dismantled by Abloh’s Off-White label as the main driver. From a dismantled Air Presto to an exaggerated Blazer Mid Abloh’s signatures include “GHOSTING,” utilizing transparent uppers to connect the 10 silhouettes using a common material , and “REVEALING,” to expose the sneaker’s inner workings via reconstruction.
Since the beginning of this revolutionary partnership, Abloh has continued to overcome barriers in fashion, and has become an artistic director for Louis Vuitton while working with all of the major brands including IKEA as well as Braun up to Evian as well as Vitra. The cults have become adversaries since he redefines the definition of a designer, establishing an identity that blends high-end sensibilities and youthfulness.
Relive Virgil Abloh’s most memorable hits using the Swoosh as we unravel the language used by Off-White’s most iconic Nike collaborations.
Off-White and Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Chicago”
The most coveted of all grails at the outset, Abloh made headlines with his debut version of his version of the Air Jordan 1. The silhouette was deemed to be flawless in its timeless design, Abloh stepped into uncharted territory , altering the appearance of the iconic model from the beginning.
Initial plans were to release the shoe in white, Abloh pivoted to a “Chicago” colorway. “I made the change in the last second since if the entire world was to see only the black version and then the Chicago version, it wouldn’t be linked to the legacy and heritage of Jordan 1,” commented Abloh. The choice paid off and set the internet on fire with excitement while celebrating the greatest player to ever play the game, as well as the city that helped shape Abloh.
Off-White Air Presto “The Ten”
Abloh initially drew industry interest by launching Pyrex Vision. It is a name famous for its screen-printing Champion Tees, Hoodies soccer shorts, and Flannel shirts that featured collegiate lettering as well as Renaissance artwork. Though his approach to creativity changed throughout the years, his graphically striking and distinctive language remained constant which that he carried into his collaboration with Nike.
Created By Tobie Hatfield. Released in the year 2000, Abloh’s Off White In 2000, the Off-White Nike Air Presto removed the graphics of the original design, using rough edges as well as with stacked Swoosh branding, and old-fashioned caging. The result was a more mature version with the same edges as the original but was more substantial and his signature quotes to the shoelaces and the heel strap.
Off-White Air Force 1 Low ‘The Ten’
Hip-hop was based upon self-expression. It was a way of flipping the sample, and breaking the rules of fashion. Abloh did all that with his all white Nike Air Force 1. Inverting a pair Uptowns Virgil exposed the texture and fabric of an icon similar to how hip-hop artists find new meaning in tracks from the past.
Abloh’s unique Off-White collaboration brought fresh life to an old favourite while repositioning Air Force 1. Air Force 1 as hip-hop’s primary symbol and is worn by all MCs including Rakim from Jay Z to Drake.
Off-White Air Max 90 “The Ten’
It was in 1990 that Tinker Hatfield was tasked with the task of topping his previous record of Air Max 1. His result came in the form of that of the Air Max 90. Over 20 years after, Abloh revised the decade-defying classic, turning the massive run inside out.
Following his deconstruction theme, Abloh went back to the drawing board using Hatfield’s blueprint sketches. He removed the counters made from TPU, sealing the midsole with icing and then exposing the foams that were not finished. Further details included a lost Nike label on the tongue, as well as an orange tab that runs along the Swoosh and a pair of flourishes that were that appear on nearly every version of “The Ten.
Off-White x Air Max97 Original “The Ten’
Initial sketches were sketched in 1996. Christian Tresser’s Nike AirMax 97 was based off the brief. The main goal was A less vibrant color. The limitation gave birth to immortal “Silver Bullet” and “Gold Medal’ makeups. instead of basing the design on the reflective style from the initial, Abloh stripped the Air Max 97 of all color using his tonal, all-white version featuring an enormous and black Swoosh and a appeal to the entire length Total Max unit, Abloh took the metallic model down to its bare bones and left only the form and distinctive branding elements.
Off-White x Blazer Mid “The Ten’
The Nike Blazer first released in 1973 It came from “the Iceman,” George Gervin who helped make the shoe a legend on the court. While Gervin who was an eminent Detroit native, characterized his Blazer as a staple of basketball however, it was Midwesterners who would go through the process of changing the trajectory of the Blazer in 2017.
Chicago’s Abloh, the city’s own Abloh transformed this court-worn classic showing the raw elements that make up the shoe, including foam, suede, and rubber and playing around with the placement of the Swoosh that let it seep to the bottom for the very first time. Abloh’s original interpretation of the iconic Nike design into a new style of sneakerheads and firmly established the iconic silhouette’s status as a symbol in and out of court.
Off-White Air VaporMax “The Ten’
The translucent and white hues made up the bulk of ‘The Ten’, Abloh chose to go in the opposite direction with Nike’s latest design on the Air Max. The Nike Air VaporMax Off White as black Abloh made the decision to shut down all the tech that is visible and instead focus on the graphic and branding elements instead. It’s a bit odd at first, but this is a decision that shows it to be a brilliant choice considering the collection’s inner-out ethos.
Hyperdunk Off-White 2017 Flyknit “The Ten’
The high-fashion hoop of dreams came to life when Nike launched the Off White Hyperdunk 2017. The Hyperdunk 2017 features the translucent strap with signature tagging, as well as edges that are not finished, Abloh reworked the Flyknit beloved, adding lifestyle elements to create a sporty silhouette which is all powered by Nike’s nimble React technology. The collaboration was a hit as J.R. Smith from the Cleveland Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith was on the court in a pair with The Boston Celtics during Game 3 of the 2018 Eastern Conference finals.
Off-White x Zoom Fly “The Ten’
With no compromises, Abloh brought his vision to the performance department at Nike by reworking Nike’s Zoom Fly SP. Nike Zoom Fly SP with an Off-White view. As with other sneakers in The Ten, this Zoom Fly SP featured both the “REVEALING” and “GHOSTING” concepts. It also featured an upper that was translucent and a revamped swoosh to give Abloh’s original design a new life.
Off-White in collaboration with Chuck 70 “The Ten’
Incorporating Nike’s famous division, Off-White x Converse Chuck Taylor closed the ‘The Ten’ collection when it came out in May of 2018. In a vanishing act of possibly the most famous shoes ever, Abloh added his tongue-in-cheek text-tagging to a transparent upper, which makes it more modern than the traditional canvas.
Off-White and Wmns Air Jordan 4 SP ‘Sail’
After a runway show and samples that were exhibited in museums The Off-White x Air Jordan 4 “Sail” was a hit and gained immediate acclaim. A slight deviation of the “GHOSTING” or “REVEALING” concepts of ‘The Ten’ this new version embodied the same ethos that was inverted from the earlier collaboration, choosing neutral colors from the tongue to the outsole in the place of solid blacks and transparent uppers.
First seen at the Off White Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 fashion show at Paris Fashion Week, this sneaker was the first woman’s particular release after The Ten collection.
Off-White and Air Jordan 5 SP ‘Sail’
in 1990 Michael Jordan scored a record-setting 69 points in a game in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the ‘Fire Red’ Air Jordan 5. 30 years after that, Abloh, a fellow Chicagoan recognized MJ by reinventing the basketball icon into a high-fashion hoop , that included a layered, textile upper and circular cutouts on the collar and midfoot as well as the tongue is a reflective silver. The result was a vintage tribute to Jordan’s heroism on the court.
Off-White and Air Jordan 5 Retro SP “Muslin’
Michael Jordan was a real-life super-hero to children all over the globe as well as Virgil Abloh who idolized MJ as a youngster growing up in Chicago. The Black/Metallic basketball shoes Abloh was known for wearing during his teenage years The Off-White x Air Jordan 5 reduced the weight and enhanced air flow, allowing for the collaboration version to reach new levels.
Air Rubber Off-White Dunk “University Blue’
You can blink twice and overlook the subtleties of the Off-White Nike Nike Air Rubber Dunk. A tribute to the Beaverton athletics departments, this pumped-up skateboarding shoe has reflective overlays derived from running. It also incorporates as well as reveals the visible Air technology that helped make Nike the company it is today.
Off-White x Air Force 1 Low “MoMA” ’07
Few artists have been able to bring together art critics and young people with dreams like Abloh. For his “MoMA” design of the Off-White and Nike Air Force 1 he did exactly that, reimagining the iconic streetwear item as the latest dress code for fashion lovers from all every walk of life. Modern art, indeed.
Serena Williams x Off-White x Air Max 97 OG “Queen”
As if years of work on the design of sets and art direction in collaboration with Kanye West weren’t sufficient, Abloh has entered into a completely new realm by designing clothes for the most famous athlete of our time: Serena Williams. In his collection ‘Queen, Abloh outfitted the tennis legend in a rainbow-colored version of his streamlined version of his version of the Air Max 97. Game, set, match.
Off-White and Air Jordan 1 Retro High Original ‘White’, 2018
Following the popularity of ‘The Ten’,’ Abloh released what was meant to be the very initial Air Jordan 1 colorway. After incorporating the ‘Chicago’ colorway into his line-up, an all white Off White Air Jordan 1 was released within a couple of months.
It was initially planned to make it into the first collaboration, this design introduced the public to the palette and product Abloh originally imagined. In just a couple of years the style has proven to be to be among the most timeless similar to the bold design that sparked the entire trend.
Off-White and Dunk Low “Pine Green’
Abloh was ahead of the trending Dunk trend by releasing an assortment of low tops updated with vintage-inspired references and an iconic new concept. The ‘Pine Green’ model included tongue tags that were a throwback and eyelets with punch holes and contrast lacing of the cable. In all, the unique method introduced the 1985 favorite to a new audience while maintaining the basic style that made it iconic.
Off-White x Air Force 1 Low 2007 ‘MCA’
The Virgil Abloh interpretation of the Air Force 1 exposes both his unique lens and his admiration for the iconic silhouette. In conjunction with the launch of the Museum of Contemporary Art exhibit in Chicago The original AF1 honored the occasion by wearing the colors he wore by his home city’s Windy City flag.