The Swoosh has produced some of the most iconic silhouettes ever with world recognized names like the Air Force 1, Cortez and Nike Blazer.

Nike

adidas

Jordan Brand, a subdivision of Nike, was created by lifelong Swoosh athlete, Michael Jordan, in 1997. It started out as a way for Jordan to expand his image and brand. The <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/air-jordan-13">Air Jordan 13</a>, along with new silhouettes, dubbed “Team Jordans” were among the first releases from Jordan Brand. As JB was looking to expand, it signed its first athletes which included NBA stars Ray Allen, Vin Baker, Derek Anderson, Eddie Jones, and Michael Finley. It would then go on to expand its roster, not only for the NBA, but also across various sports with athletes such as Derek Jeter and Randy Moss, and collegiate teams such as the St. John’s, Cincinnati, and North Carolina A&amp;T. 

For the Air Jordan line, it all began in 1984 with the <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/nike-air-jordan-1">Air Jordan 1</a> and continues to this day with signature sneakers released annually, worn on-court by current Jordan Brand athletes. <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/nike-air-jordan-1">Air Jordan 1</a> through <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/air-jordan-12">12</a> were released under the Nike umbrella, while the <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/air-jordan-13">Air Jordan 13</a> to present have been under Jordan Brand. In 1999, after Michael Jordan retired for the second time, Jordan Brand began retro-ing classic Air Jordans, starting with the <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/nike-air-jordan-4">Air Jordan 4</a>. To date, <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/nike-air-jordan-1">Air Jordans 1</a> thru <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/air-jordan-23">23</a> have all been retro-ed at some point, although models <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/air-jordan-15">15</a> through <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/jordan/air-jordan-22">22</a> have only seen a handful of re-releases with the majority of them only happening in 2008 during the Air Jordan Collezione “Countdown” Pack series, which featured two Air Jordan’s packaged together which signature numbers when added together equals the number 23 (ie 1/22, 3/20, 6/17, 11/12).

While Michael Jordan finally stepped off the court professionally, for good in 2003, his presence is still felt today. A global phenomenon, Jordan Brand is a billion dollar brand, growing each and every year. Jordan’s cultural significance continues to grow and his status as the greatest basketball player of all time is cemented in history, as are his signature Air Jordan sneakers.

Jordan

Alongside the reinvented Nike SB Dunk, Nike Skateboarding also launched three new silhouettes: the Nike SB Angus, Nike SB FC and Nike SB URL along with another redesigned basketball sneaker, the Nike SB Delta Force. Over the past 20 plus years Nike SB has become a force to be reckoned with in the skateboarding & streetwear community.

Nike SB

While the New Balance 574 model is the brand's everyday go-to, its 900 series is highly regarded as its most popular. Various brands and labels have collaborated with New Balance throughout the years such as: Concepts,Stray Rats, Aime Leon Dore, JJJJound, Casablanca and more. They continue to pump out quality collabs through impressive storytelling.

New Balance

Yeezy is an all-encompassing fashion label founded by Kanye West once he struck a deal with adidas to work on footwear in 2015. Debuting with Yeezy Season 1, this was the beginning of a multi-billion dollar empire that now encompasses technology and industrial design while still focusing on footwear and apparel. While many think of Yeezy as an adidas brand, Kanye owns 100% of the brand Yeezy, so if he were ever to decide to part ways with The Three Stripes he could continue to release products with the moniker.

While his journey into the fashion industry began way back in 2004 with an F&F adidas collab, Kanye truly began to make waves in the sneaker world once his Air Yeezy silhouette was released with Nike in 2009. Fast forward past their tumultuous breakup and Ye was back with The Three Stripes under his newly founded label, Yeezy. Iconic releases popped up in the early years of the partnership with adidas including the <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/yeezy/yeezy-boost-750">Yeezy Boost 750</a> and <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/yeezy/adidas-yeezy-boost-350">Yeezy Boost 350</a> (V1 & V2). These beginning stages saw staggered releases in ultra-limited quantities with rumors that the original Yeezy 750 “Light Brown” only had about 10,000 pairs hit the market, though as time passed, pairs became accessible and fulfilled Kanye’s promise of “Yeezys for everyone.”

Notable models from the brand include the dad-shoe-inspired <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/yeezy/adidas-yeezy-700">Yeezy Boost 700</a>, designed by the “Godfather of Dad Shoes” Steven Smith, and the retro-built <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/yeezy/yeezy-500">Yeezy 500</a> that utilizes the same adiPRENE+ sole that adidas Kobe sneakers used when he was signed to The Three Stripes. While these fall under the contemporary design language that Yeezy was known for in its early years, recently introduced models like the <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/yeezy/foam-rnnr">Yeezy Foam RNNR</a>, <a href="https://www.soleretriever.com/sneaker-release-dates/yeezy/yeezy-boost-380">Yeezy 380</a>, and <a href="">Yeezy Slide</a> take on a much more futuristic, organic design that has truly separated the brand from others in the industry. 

As of late, Ye (FKA as Kanye West) has had a rocky relationship with his partner adidas, from accusing them of stealing his designs to stating that they have made decisions for Yeezy without his approval. For the time being, we should still see plenty of new colorways, models, and more from adidas Yeezy, a partnership that has reshaped the sneaker industry in many ways.

Yeezy

With plenty of classics and collaborations under its belt, Reebok remains a mainstay in streetwear fashion to this day.

Reebok

Vans is still going strong today with its classic silhouettes ranging from the Old Skool to the Sk8-Hi.

Vans

The brand’s prowess is evident with its recent crossing over to fashion with the support of high profile celebrity endorsements from Justin Bieber, Post Malone, KFC and more.

Crocs

Since its inception, Asics has been at the forefront of running footwear. The first shoes to use the silicone cushioning material αGEL (Alpha Gel), which cushions the feet from impact debuted in 1986 with the now classic GT-II and Freaks a silhouettes. Those footwear lines still continue to this day with updated technology for the runner of today.

Asics

BAPE’s first footwear release came in 2000 with the Bapesta. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Nike Air Force 1 silhouette. After the release of the A Bathing Ape Bapesta, BAPE has gone on to produce other silhouettes such as: the Roadsta, Sk8 Sta and Sta 93. Nearly thirty years into the game, BAPE is still one of the most iconic streetwear labels and has collabed with everyone from adidas to New Balance.

Bape

2013’s signing of Steph Curry enabled the brand to enter the basketball sneaker world and Curry’s signature sneaker continues to be the brands top selling line.

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