Various samples, one-of-ones, and custom colorways are created behind the scenes by Nike Inc. that pay homage to various pop culture icons and those who played an important role in the culture we all partake in. Back in 2017, Jordan Brand quietly crafted 23 pairs of the Air Jordan 13 “Christopher Wallace” in honor of the late-great Notorious B.I.G.’s 45th birthday and the creation has been kept under wraps until today when auction house Sotheby's showcased the sneaker ahead of its charity auction.
Proceeds for the auction will go to the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, a foundation that helps inner-city youth through educational experiences, sponsorships, grants, mentorship programs, and more, with the timing for this charity auction being almost perfect. 2023 represents the “Jordan Year,” a nod to MJ's number 23, and will help kick off Jordan Brand’s “Jordan Year 2023” campaign. In a statement to Footwear News, Jordan Brand Chief Marketing Officer Shannon Watkins said “This is just the beginning of a journey for us as a brand in 2023. We want to use the power of our Jordan heritage to energize and accelerate self-belief all year long.”
As for the sneaker itself, Jordan Brand went all out on the AJ 13 as the silhouette features premium nubuck throughout its design and the iconic 3M-laden overlay, both of which come in shades of black. Atop the tongue, an embroidery of Biggie himself is present while the lining of the tongue and sockliner comes in a flannel finish. On the reverse of the tongue, lyrics from the ever-popular “Juicy” are added and include the line “If you don’t know, now you know” and “It was all a dream.” The rest of the sneaker keeps its normal details, such as the cat eye that hosts “23” and a Jumpman logo through its lenticular graphic, while the entire design is completed via the black AJ 13 midsole and outsole.
The Air Jordan 13 Christopher Wallace will be auctioned off via Sotheby’s beginning today, January 23rd, with the bidding ending on February 2nd. Limited to 23 pairs, the size run includes size 7 to size 13 (excluding 7.5 and 12.5). To bid on the auction, head over to sothebys.com, however, expect to pay big as the estimated final price is between 2,300 and 5,200 USD. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Sotheby's
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
