Jordan Brand will reportedly refreshen a concept used on past designs with the release of an Air Jordan 1 coated in multiple layers of paint.
According to Sole Retriever, an Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Self Expression” colorway is on the way. As its name suggests, the pair will allow the wearer to express themselves by customizing the look of the sneaker however they see fit. The shoe will reportedly come with a black top layer which peels away to show a multicolor mid-layer before finally revealing a white innermost material.
Nike and Jordan Brand have featured similar wear-away paint on past sneaker releases. Notable pairs include 2014’s Lance Mountain x Nike SB x Air Jordan 1, which was released in both black and white-covered painted styles and revealed original Air Jordan 1 colorways beneath. Similarly, Nike SB revisited the concept in 2019 with the Air Jordan 1 SB “LA to Chicago” and “NYC to Paris” styles.
And the layered paint treatment isn’t solely used by Nike. A staple of Maison Margiela’s designs, the label has previously collaborated on Converse Chuck Taylors with caked-on paint that cracks away to show solid colors underneath. Designer Boris Bidjan Saberi has employed similar methods on his footwear collaborations with Salomon.
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In related news, several upcoming Air Jordan sneakers recently had their release dates postponed. Affected pairs include the highly anticipated Union x Air Jordan 1 and new colorways of the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4s, among others.
Although in-hand images of the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Self Expression” have yet to surface, more specifics about the shoe are already known. The pair “Black/Black/Summit White” colorway is scheduled to release in full family sizing with a current launch window of fall 2025. Adult sizes will retail for $180.
