Virgil Abloh Revives an Archival Icon With the Off-White x Air Jordan 2 Retro Low SP
Marking the triumphant return of a long-overlooked silhouette.
The Air Jordan 2 debuted far ahead of its time, eclipsed by the immediate and retroactive success of the Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 3 on either side of it. Like the AJ1 before it, however, Michael Jordan’s second signature sneaker rewrote the rules of athletic footwear for the second time in as many years.
Nike’s goal with the AJ2 was straightforward enough: to create the most exclusive sneaker with the highest quality materials. To do so, AJ1 mastermind Peter Moore reprised his role as creative lead with input from Air Force 1 designer Bruce Kilgore. Together the duo embarked on a series of experiments, first merging the AJ1’s upper with the sole of the AJ2. The two then went in a new direction entirely, creating a prototype that provides a glimpse into the silhouette’s experimental design language.