ASSOULINE Air Jordan Classic

In collaboration with both Michael Jordan and Nike’s Jordan Brand, Air Jordan celebrates a legendary brand and the legend behind the logo. Marking the 40th anniversary of the iconic shoe that transformed not only the footwear industry but also global culture, this book pays homage to a game-changing partnership.

With a foreword by Michael Jordan and text by author Adam Bradley, Air Jordan highlights the legacy of design, innovation, artistry, and cultural influence of the Brand and the man himself. Embodying the spirit of greatness, the book features rare materials from Nike’s private corporate archives alongside exclusive images of Michael Jordan’s personal keepsakes, clothing, and memorabilia. The book’s cover showcases a never-before-published photograph of Jordan by Annie Leibovitz, bringing to life a mirror image of the symbol that has served as an inspiration for decades.

Exploring different facets of the partnership through six chapters, a nod to MichaelJordan’s six championship rings, Air Jordan provides rich context to the art and style of this world-shaking collaboration. This book reflects a legacy, the impact of which will be felt for generations to come, featuring a curation of visuals and interviews with key insiders, both past and present, such as guiding, instrumental forces behind Jordan Brand, like Howard “H” White and Larry Miller; Jordan Brand president Sarah Mensah; and trusted advisers to Michael Jordan. In these pages, celebrities—including Carmelo Anthony, Napheesa Collier, Luka Dončić, Jalen Hurts, Spike Lee, and Jayson Tatum, as well as other Hall of Fame athletes and notable figures—help define the boundary-breaking style of the Air Jordan sneaker and its transcendence beyond the court.

Launching in Assouline’s Ultimate and Classic formats, the book memorializes the aspiration and excellence of Air Jordan. Crafted for collectors, the Ultimate edition is limited to just 1,000 hand-numbered copies and contains a host of customizations, including an intricately tooled clamshell with elaborate Baroque-style ornamentation, inspired by the laser graphic of the Air Jordan XX. Paying a special tribute to Michael Jordan’s remarkable influence on luxury fashion, each of the 1,000 Air Jordan Ultimates comes with Jordan Brand’s first bespoke non-sneaker fashion accessory: an Italian-made oversized silk scarf, exclusive to this limited-edition release and featuring the Jumpman logo, the iconic universal symbol of greatness. The scarf is intended to be an artifact that invites the wearer to be enveloped in the spirit and story of this celebrated athlete.