From basketball and hip-hop to fashion. Air Force 1 don't need no special introdution - everyone knows them. They are worn by everyone - from children and adolescents to red carpet celebrities. Let's ride through the Air Force 1 story full of unexpected turns!

Since its creation, AF1 is not only shoes - first of all, they have built an important and unforgettable base for the history of sneakers. And with every year passing, once again dominating the market, baggage is only filling with significant achievements.

In 1982, the Nike company was already familiar with the needs of runners and decided to start taking care of the foots of the basketball players. Bruce Kilgore, a leading designer of Air Force 1, has also taken on ideas from the Nike Approach model. At the same time, the designer also wanted innovations - especially in creating strong grip. At that time, the vast majority of the shoes with which the NBA league players played had traditional herringbone pattern. It was replaced with Kilgore's circles.

Nike has signed a contract with six NBA League players - Moses Malone, Michael Cooper, Mychal Thompson, Jamal Wilkes, Bobby Jones and Calvin Natt after the release of AF1. This company was called "Original Six", and the most important Malone was just shining - with AF1, he became a NBA champion in 1983 with Philadelphia's 76ers. The new shoes were introduced not only for the spectators who watched the match, but also for the opponents who saw AF1 from the best possible places - on that time when Moses was rocking the rim.

In 1983, the low-profile version of Air Force 1 was presented for the world. 1984 marked the possible finish line of the series - Nike was planning to stop producing Air Force 1, but thanks to the Baltimore resellers "the Color of the Month Club" series was alive. The demand for AF1 was huge - many people from all over the United States fled east to get them. For the saved series this city is thanked until these days - last year the 35th anniversary of the series was celebrated, and Baltimore streets were decorated with special comics and even benches with the inscription "Baltimore. The best city in America. Damn, you saved Air Force 1."

It became a real springboard for a very serious jump. The number of versions, colors and models has grown - the number of people infected with this virus has grown rapidly all over the world. Air Force was released only for men, but Missy Elliott, a famous rapper in 1997, sent a very clear signal - for the cover photo of album "Supa Dupa Fly" she posed wearing AF1. In 2001, Nike finally reacted to this and started producing women's sizes.

In 2002, a special song was created - by the rapper Nelly. "Air Force Ones" even reached third place in the United States Billboard Hot 100. Similarly, the famous Kanye celebrated the 25th anniversary of AF1. Together with Nas and KRS-ONE created "Better Than I've Ever Been" and performed live at party which was broadcasted on MTV.

Air Force 1 series were also loved by basketball giants of this era - we have even seen Kobe on the court rocking them. Another basketball player, who liked these shoes, was the NBA legend and the bad guy Rasheed Wallace.

When it seemed that the AF1 had reached their peak, Nike discovered new ways to raise the series to another hights. New materials, extravagant details and an unobtrusive silhouette - designers like painters, everytime found new ways to add to the Air Force 1 canvas.

Collaboration always has been, and still is, one of great importance for the success of AF1. Work together with other companies or fashion designers helped to produce a number of extraordinary versions, which have exceeded number of 2000.

We can only observe and wait for this spectacular street king story to continue!

Great variety of Air Force 1 sneakers! ➡ 

Great variety of Air Force 1 sneakers! ➡