Cummerbund and Fanny Pack

Published March 6, 2007
One Comment (at bottom of article)

With Love, Emily Watts and Alexis Langer

Happy 25th Anniversary Air Force One!

“When you open a box of white on white Air Force Ones you can hear angels sing.”- Grand Master Chaz

In 1982 while creating a new, revolutionary sneaker, Nike simultaneously produced one of the biggest fashion trends in the last 25 years. The Nike Air Force One sneaker was designed for NBA players, and worn not only by them and their fans, but also by a myriad of Hip-Hop shoe junkies who have in many ways transformed the essence of the shoe game. Initially, the Air Force One was a one-time deal. However, thanks to the genius of the “Three Amigos,” a group of shoe storeowners in B’more, Nike continued Air Force One production and re-released the Air Force One in the mid-1990s.

Although the popularity of the sneakers has certainly experienced its ups and downs—predominantly in the years following its initial burst on the scene—over time, the shoe has become a stable force and a continuous trend in much of its 25-year existence.

These days the shoe is re-released each month in multiple “colorsways,” known as “fruit flavors” as well as in limited edition packages. Rasheed Wallace, an NBA player who wears the shoe to play in, has his model of the kicks come out to the public once or twice a year in exclusive numbers. Nike-sponsored players like Lebron James have released exclusive models of the sneaks incorporating their own artistic designs.

But the fervor does not end there. Nike continually releases limited edition packages on holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter, just to name a few. In addition to the countless color combinations, Nike adds different materials to the shoe, including suede, croc skin, and Italian leather.

Nike pays homage to certain countries and cities with specially designed Air Force Ones—countries like Puerto Rico, the West Indies, Portugal, Brazil, and cities like New York, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Detroit are among that chosen group. Even popular figures outside of the basketball world—Eminem, Jay-Z, and Ronaldinho—have their own editions of the shoes.

So what is it about the Air Force One that continually secures its place as the king of sneaker royalty? Why, according to Grand Master Chaz, is “nothing more popular is dressing circles…in being fresh as death circles than Air Force Ones?”

To answer these crucial questions Cummerbund and Fanny Pack did a little investigating….detective work if you will. An anonymous employee of “Status,” Burlington’s newest spot for fresh kicks, answered some of our intriguing questions, though reluctant to do so….Sketch Master Flash?

Unable to record his voice or snap a sexy shot of him and his kicks…we embraced the retro fad and got the following confessions of a dangerous shoe addict:

C & FP: How many pairs of Air Force Ones do you have?
Shoe Man: [After long silence] About 30 to 35.

C & FP: Do you have a favorite pair? What about the black on black, white on white?
Shoe Man: That’s a hard question…. 25th Anniversary Player edition. Yeah those are the supreme leather, with folded seams, stain-free laces and perforated leather insole. The leather is the illest part.

C & FP: What characteristics of Air Force Ones make them the king of Nikes?
Shoe Man: They are classic. You gotta give the credit to Harlem back in the day. Everything that’s hot comes from Harlem. They don’t spend money on advertisements…its all word of mouth that propels these shoes…Street sense sets everything…and they just pick out their performers, i.e. hip hop artists and b-ballers. You should see “Just for Kicks,” it’s all about the history behind the Air Force Ones and other kicks.

C & FP: How do you wear your “Uptowns”?
Shoe Man: As much tongue as I can get. It depends on how you lace it, but I like a lot of tongue. I wear lo-tops everyday…but your outfits got to match.

C & FP: How do you feel about the little hipsters running around in the hot sneaks?
Shoe Man: Funny [chuckles] Those kids just buy the shoes and rock them. They don’t know anything more than “it’s just a sneaker.”

C & FP: It is more than just a sneaker. Do feel passionate about these shoes?
Shoe Man: Oh YES.

FRESH FACTS ABOUT THE FRESHEST KICKS:
-Price of production: $12 in China.
-Price of shoe when sold to Nike dealers: $48
-Price on general release: $75-$125
-Price on more exclusive models: $200-$2000.
-Called “Uptowns” in New York City.
-The song “Air Force Ones” by Nelly.
- KRS-One, Nas, Kanye West, and Rakim collaborate their musical genius in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Air Force One by releasing, “Better than I’ve ever been.”
- There are 1700 different Air Force Ones

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