Grail Doubleback: Air Jordan III Black/Cement
1988 was a troubling year for Nike, MJ was ready to leave the brand but the III’s, designed by the great Tinker Hatfield, a former Nike architect, changed his mind. Hatfield had an idea to put together an athlete’s personality into his shoes that gave birth to signature PEs (Player Exclusive) than just a regular ol’ shoe with their signatures in it–an idea that would forever change the relationship between athlete and their respective brands. It was the first Jordans to feature the “air”, an elephant print detail, the new Jumpman logo and tumble leather. Michael Jordan wore these iconic sneakers when he jumped from the free throw line in that 1988 Dunk Championship. This for me is the best out of all shoes in the Air Jordan series many variants were made but the BREDs stood out among the rest.
Photo credit: Nicekicks & Complex
