The blurring of the lines between performance and fashion The the extensive collection of Virgil abloh with Swoosh. Swoosh brand.
The 1980s were a time when people believed you needed to be a big man to be a winner of the NBA title. In the decade following, Michael Jordan shattered that idea by dominating the league as a shooter. At the time of 2000, there was a belief that you had to go to Parsons, Central Saint Martins or the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts to be able to break into the world of fashion. Ten years after, Virgil Abloh obliterated that thought process in bringing remix fashion on the runway, drawing inspiration from streetwear, music and sportswear as influences in collection after collection.
The apex of this transformation is one collaboration that stands over all others The Ten from Nike in 2017 a collection of traditional and modern sneakers dismantled and dismantled with Abloh’s Off White label in charge. From a dismantled Air Presto to an exaggerated Blazer Mid Abloh’s signatures include “GHOSTING,” utilizing transparent uppers that connect the 10 silhouettes with a common materials and “REVEALING,” to expose the inner workings of a sneaker through reconstruction.
Since the inception of this partnership that has revolutionized the industry, Abloh has continued to overcome barriers in fashion, including becoming creative director at Louis Vuitton while working with all of the major brands including IKEA as well as Braun up to Evian as well as Vitra. There are rivalries between the fashion world since he redefines the definition of an artist, creating an identity that combines the luxuries of fashion with a youthful slant.
Relive Virgil Abloh’s most memorable hits featuring the Swoosh as we unravel the language used by Off-White’s most iconic Nike collaborations.
Off-White Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Chicago”
In search of the most precious of treasures right from the beginning, Abloh made headlines with his debut rendition of his version of the Air Jordan 1. A design that was considered to be both perfect in its timeless design, Abloh took the model into the unknown by altering the appearance of the classic model for the first time.
Initial plans were to release the shoe in white, Abloh pivoted to a “Chicago” colorway. “I altered it in the last second since if the entire world had seen only the black version and it wasn’t linked to the legacy and heritage of Jordan 1,” commented Abloh. The decision was a success with the world ablaze with anticipation , while also paying tribute to the best ever to play the game, as well as the city that helped shape Abloh.
Off-White Air Presto “The Ten”
Abloh initially drew industry interest through Pyrex Vision. It is a company that is known for screen printing Champion T-shirts, hoodies soccer shorts, and Flannel shirts that featured collegiate lettering along with Renaissance artwork. Though his approach to creativity changed throughout the years, his the bold and striking graphics and the strong words remained the same which that he brought to his partnership with Nike.
Created in the hands of Tobie Hatfield. Released in 2000, the Abloh Off-White Abloh Off-White Nike Air Presto removed the graphic elements of the original design, using edgeless edges and with stacked Swoosh branding, and old-fashioned caging. The result was a more mature version that had the same edges as the original but had more depth with his signature quotations to the shoelaces and the heel strap.
Off-White Air Force 1 Low ‘The Ten’
Hip-hop was founded around self-expression and flipping sample, and challenging the rules of fashion. Abloh performed all of that on his all white Nike Air Force 1. Inverting a pair Uptowns Virgil exposed the textures and fabrics of an icon like hip-hop artists discover new meanings in old tracks.
Abloh’s unique Off-White collaboration brought the new spirit into an old favourite and further redefined Air Force 1. Air Force 1 as hip-hop’s most important symbol and is worn by all MCs including Rakim up to Jay Z to Drake.
Off-White Air Max 90 “The Ten’
The year was 1990. Tinker Hatfield was tasked with the task of topping his previous record of Air Max 1. His result is 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 blueprints, taking out the counters made of TPU, then 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 seen on almost every version of “The Ten.
Off-White x Air Max97 Original “The Ten’
Initial sketches were sketched in 1996. Christian Tresser’s Nike Air Max 97 was inspired by the brief. The most important thing 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 spirit from the initial, Abloh stripped the Air Max 97 of any pigment by introducing his white-toned version featuring an enormous Black Swoosh and a calling out to the total length Total Max unit, Abloh took the metallic model down to its bare bones leaving just the basic shape and distinctive branding elements.
Off-White x Blazer Mid-‘The Ten’
In the time that the Nike Blazer first released in 1973 It came from “the Iceman,” George Gervin who helped make the Blazer a cult on the court. While Gervin was being a Detroit native, characterized his Blazer as a staple of basketball but it was the Midwesterners who went on to alter the course of the shoe in the year 2017.
Chicago’s Abloh, the city’s own Abloh reinvented his court icon, revealing the basic components of the shoe, including foam, suede and rubber and exploring the position of the Swoosh that let it seep through the shoe’s sole, for the first time. Abloh’s unique interpretation brought the iconic Nike design into a new generation of sneakerheads, establishing the iconic silhouette’s status as a symbol both in and out of court.
Off-White Air VaporMax “The Ten’
The translucent and white hues made up the bulk of the ‘The Ten’ collection, Abloh chose to go in the opposite direction with Nike’s latest design with the Air Max. In announcing the Nike Air VaporMax Off White as black Abloh made the decision to shut down all the tech that is visible and focus on the graphic elements and branding instead. It’s a bit odd at first, but this is a decision that shows its genius when you consider the collection’s inside-out design.
Hyperdunk Off-White 2017 Flyknit “The Ten’
The high-fashion hoop of dreams came to life when Nike launched the Off-White Nike Hyperdunk 2017. The Off White Hyperdunk 2017 features a transparent strap with signature tagging, as well as edges that are not finished, Abloh reworked the Flyknit beloved, adding lifestyle elements into a silhouette that is performance-oriented, and all powered by Nike’s responsive React technology. The collaboration was a hit after it was revealed that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith played in a pair with Boston Celtics Boston Celtics during Game 3 of the 2018 Eastern Conference finals.
Off-White x Zoom Fly “The Ten’
Making no compromises, Abloh brought his vision to the performance department at Nike by reworking his Nike Zoom Fly SP with an Off-White-colored perspective. As with other sneakers in “The Ten,” it was the Zoom Fly SP featured both the “REVEALING” and “GHOSTING” concepts. It also featured an opaque upper as well as a reconstructed swoosh that make Abloh’s design come to life.
Off-White and Chuck 70 “The Ten’
Drawing inspiration from Nike’s renowned brand, off-white x Converse Chuck Taylor closed with ‘The Ten’ as it debuted in May of 2018. A disappearing act was pulled off on possibly the most famous shoe of all time, Abloh added his tongue-in-cheek text to a clear upper, which makes it different from the standard canvas.
Off-White, Wmns Air Jordan 4 SP ‘Sail’
After a runway unveiling and samples exhibited in museums Following a runway reveal and samples seen in museums, the Off-White x Air Jordan 4 “Sail” sank to immediately acclaim. A slight deviation away from “GHOSTING” or “REVEALING” concepts of ‘The Ten’ this new version embodied the same inverted philosophy of the previous collaboration, choosing an unisex palette of colors from tongue to outsole the place of solid blacks and transparent uppers.
First seen at the Off White Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 runway during 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 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the ‘Fire Red’ Air Jordan 5. 30 years after that, Abloh, a fellow Chicagoan was able to pay tribute to MJ by redesigning the basketball icon to be an elegant hoop shoe that included a layered, textile upper and circular cutouts on the collar and midfoot as well as an illuminating silver tongue. The result was a vintage tribute to Jordan’s heroism on the court.
Off-White Air Jordan 5 Retro SP “Muslin’
Michael Jordan was a real-life hero to children from all over the globe and this includes 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 team version to rise to new levels.
Air Rubber Off-White Dunk “University Blue’
If you blink twice, you could overlook the subtleties of the Off-White and Nike Air Rubber Dunk. An ode to the athletics of Beaverton’s departments, this pumped-up skateboarding shoe has reflective overlays derived from running. The shoe also demonstrates an exposed Air technology that helped make Nike the company it is today.
Off-White x Air Force 1 Low “MoMA” ’07
Few artists have created a bridge between art critics and young people with dreams like Abloh. In his “MoMA” style of the Off White and Nike Air Force 1 he created a new vision of the iconic streetwear item as the latest fashion code for designers from all every walk of life. Modern artis indeed.
Serena Williams x Off-White x Air Max 97 OG “Queen’
In case the years spent working on the design of sets and art direction together with Kanye West weren’t enoughfor you, Abloh has entered into a completely new field by creating clothing for the best athlete of our time: Serena Williams. In his collection ‘Queen, Abloh outfitted the tennis legend in a rainbow-colored version of his less sexy version of Air Max 97. Air Max 97. Game, set, match.
Off-White and Air Jordan 1 Retro High Original ‘White’, 2018
Following the success of ‘The Ten” Abloh released what was believed to be the initial Air Jordan 1 colorway. After incorporating the Chicago colorway into his initial line-up, an all white Off White Air Jordan 1 came out just a few months later.
The initial plan was to be part of the initial collaboration, this design offered the public the products and palette Abloh originally thought of. Within a short time this version has been deemed 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 launching an assortment of low tops updated with vintage-inspired references and an iconic new concept. The version ‘Pine’ Green’ included tongue tags that were a throwback and eyelets with punch holes and contrast lacing of the cable. In all, the unique design introduced the popular ’85 model 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. The event coincided with the opening of the Museum of Contemporary Art exhibit in Chicago the iconic AF1 commemorated the event by wearing the colors featured by his home town’s Windy City flag.