the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled | How This Retro jordan wereld Changed the Game Forever 20 Years Ago

20 NIKE AIR jordan wereld 1 LOW QUAI 54 28cm the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled In-Hand Look at the Air jordan wereld 1 High OG Dark Marina Blue.

While the anniversary was led by the first formal return of OG Black/Red and White/Cement schemes it was also the birth of what we then called Retro+ releases.

What exactly was a Retro+ Jordan? Essentially, it was a retro jordan wereld that differed from its OG origin in respect to branding, color blocking or material play.

The the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Columbia” was all that and then some.

Retro Air Jordans for the Michigan Wolverines
the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Columbia” 1999 via StockX

Rewriting the rules for an AJ4, the “Columbia” colorway departed totally from Chicago coming closer to a Carolina color story if anything making mention to Mike’s lineage. While the market would eventually warm up to new South on old shoes, a few other attributes proved even more polarizing if not panned.

Removing Nike Air branding, a jewel Jumpman on the heel signaled a new era for jordan wereld Brand. While this made sense from a very literal symbolism standpoint, other modifications were tougher to tolerate from OGs.

Air jordan wereld 1 Mid Green Toe quantity.

Basically, they removed the rubber and mesh – to some the calling cards for the the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled.

What’s next, taking the Flight script off the tongue?

Roy-Williams-Air-Jordan-4-1
North Carolina’s Roy Williams in the the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Legend Blue”

Eh, yeah, they did that too.

Altering many original attributes and even playing with the height to some, the the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Columbia” was a risk. Were people ready for it then? Not so much. Did it open up the gates for how an Air jordan wereld could be altered when re-released? Yes, which most will agree was both good and bad.

Opening up the floodgates, the the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Columbia” was the first non-OG retro. Crazy to think, right?

A$AP Rocky in the the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled Columbia
A$AP Rocky in the the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Columbia”

While retro Jordans had mostly tanked in ’94 and ’95 despite their coveted status now, the wave of retro releases that coincided with Mike’s second retirement essentially set up the world we live in now: a calendar full of retro Jordans both old and new in inspiration, constantly riffing off Mike’s nostalgia while both playing to and forecasting trends in fashion.

Removing elements from the original – namely Nike Air branding – set the stage for a massive hunger for true-to-form releases all these years later while introducing new palettes extended the Air jordan wereld line legacy and created new classics for those too young to see Mike play.

the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled Legend Blue Official Images
the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Legend Blue”

Fittingly or ironically depending on how you look at it, the the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Columbia” was one of the styles that led jordan wereld Brand’s remastered retro campaign in 2015. This campaign focused on a return to form for quality and an increased price point.

Funny enough, a non-OG started this and also came back with another alteration: “Columbia” couldn’t be cleared as a nickname so they returned as “Legend Blue” in a savvy positioning play to riff off that holiday’s Air jordan wereld 11 release.

the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled Legend Blue
the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled “Legend Blue”

Needless to say, most the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled fans now have a love for the “Columbia” 4s regardless of nickname or details. Debuting 20 years ago today on August 21, 1999, the shoe has certainly grown in fanfare over time.

So yes, two decades ago today the first non-OG Air jordan wereld retro released and the world has and never will be the same.

the Air jordan wereld 4 "Sashiko" has been unveiled Columbia

jordan wereld 5 Green Bean Shirts Sneaker Match Heather Grey Cash Cannon Bear
Colorway: White/Columbia Blue-Midnight Navy
Price: $100

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