Air Jordan 1 High x Virgil Abloh Archives Release Information

Virgil Abloh was a footwear and fashion icon before his untimely passing in 2021. However, Abloh's work has taken on even greater meaning since his death. The prolific artist's projects continue to get reexamined and soon re-released to his massive fanbase.

On April 3, VIRGIL ABLOH ARCHIVE and Jordan Brand will officially release the Air Jordan 1 High OG x V.A.A., a V.A.A. edition of an original design by the late Virgil Abloh (1980-2021). Below is a detailed look and breakdown on how to purchase the highly anticipated sneakers.

Release Information

Side view of the Air Jordan 1 High x V.A.A. "Alaska" colorway. — The Air Jordan 1 High x V.A.A. "Alaska" colorway. | Andrew Zuckerman Studio

The Air Jordan 1 High OG x V.A.A. (also known as the "Alaska" colorway) launches globally on Friday, April 3. Online shoppers can buy the sneakers for $230 in adult sizes at Nike.com and at select retailers.

There is no doubt that these retro basketball shoes will sell out quickly online and in stores. Fans who miss the initial drop can find them on sneaker resale websites like StockX and GOAT. The average resale price is currently $686 on StockX and is likely to increase over time.

Design Details

Details on the Air Jordan 1 High x V.A.A. "Alaska" colorway. — The Air Jordan 1 High x V.A.A. "Alaska" colorway. | Andrew Zuckerman Studio

The Air Jordan 1 High OG x V.A.A. features a pristine all-white upper with deconstructed leather. The semi-detached panels and a Nike Swoosh logo are attached with exposed blue stitching. The iconic "Nike Air" appears in orange, off-center on the elongated exposed-foam tongue.

Meanwhile, the legendary Off-White branding pops off the medial side panels. As a nod to the shoe's history and Abloh's design language, the word 'AIR' appears in block lettering across the lateral side of the midsoles. The shoes come with a blue zip tie, black laces, purple laces, blue laces, and a V.A.A. booklet.

Inspiration

Who could have imagined NBA legend Michael Jordan's first signature basketball shoe ever looking like this? Only one of the most renowned footwear designers of the 21st century.

Growing up an hour outside of Chicago, Abloh watched Jordan the way like he was a superhero. "Michael Jordan was our basketball player," he said. "To me, he's like Superman in real life. He would just put on a uniform and transform into this larger-than-life character. But it's the shoes that were like his cape."

The Air Jordan 1 was the shoe that inspired Abloh's journey to become a designer. Nike presented him with the opportunity to re-approach it for The Ten in 2017, and Abloh arrived on the Beaverton campus not with a presentation but with a question: where's the airbag? He picked up an X-Acto knife and punctured the sole to find out. "If there is an airbag," he said, "then I'm going to write the word 'AIR' on it."

V.A.A. Campaign

This marks the first global release of a work drawn from the Virgil Abloh Archive, a collection of over 20,000 objects spanning Virgil's creative practice, with a new release of the historic design partnership between Nike and Virgil Abloh, which began in 2017.

The release follows a month of initiatives and launches from the VIRGIL ABLOH ARCHIVE, including the announcement of The Virgil Reader Vol. 001 and the V.A.A.World's Fair pop-ups in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Paris, London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

V.A.A. Mission

"V.A.A.'s mission is to keep Virgil's ideas alive. The Archive exists not only to preserve Virgil's work, but to share it with great care and intention," said Shannon Abloh, founder and president of the Virgil Abloh Archive.

"Virgil treasured his collaboration with Nike, and the Air Jordan 1 was deeply significant for him. As a teenager, it sparked his dream of becoming a designer, and it was the first pair he designed for Nike. It's an honor to continue this partnership under the banner of V.A.A. for NIKE, advancing Virgil's creative legacy together through exhibitions, publications, cultural programming, and new editions of his iconic designs."

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