Air Jordan 1 ‘Rebellionaire’ Honors Michael Jordan’s NBA-Banned Sneakers
MJ was fined thousands for repeatedly breaking NBA dress code with his black and red AJ1s in 1984.
Of all the Air Jordan 1 tributes, re-releases and remixes, the new “Rebellionaire” kicks rank among the coolest.
The design is rooted in a rebellious bit of Michael Jordan mythology. As Complex notes, the NBA supposedly fined the future GOAT $5,000 for breaking official dress code every time he sported a pair of black and red kicks in 1984, Air Jordan’s debut year. Those hues were even specifically cited in a letter from the league to Nike.
The athleticwear giant claimed they were AJ1s, and even ran a “Banned” ad to capitalize on their naughty nature.
However, facing an absence of photographic evidence actually showing Jordan in black and red AJ1s from the time, the generally accepted consensus is that a non-signature Air Ship was the shoe in question.
Even so, Nike is rolling out a “Rebellionaire” colorway nearly 30 years later. The loudest feature is visible across the entire upper—graffiti-like black scrawls reading “They Can’t Stop You From Wearing Them,” which is a line lifted from the aforementioned “Banned” commercial.
Hypebeast points out other features, such as the “Particle Grey” toe box, ankle flap, lower heel overlay and Swoosh, as well as the painted orange “X” on the heel that plays on a prohibited nature.
You can find the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Rebellionaire on aftermarket retailers like Goat and Flight Club for varying prices.
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