The Air Jordan 1 is arguably the most famous basketball shoe of all time, launching the career of Michael Jordan and putting Nike on the path to being the world's leading sportswear brand. Neither one of those things were guaranteed at the time of the shoe's release. It was a combination of a great player, an innovative and timeless design, and an incredible marketing campaign that put both Jordan and Nike into the stratosphere. This weekend Jordan Brand is calling back to that time with a special release that's inspired by the iconic photograph of Michael soaring over the Chicago skyline at dusk that became the basis of the Jumpman logo: the Air Jordan 1 High OG "Skyline". 

The shoe embodies the famous photo by applying the gradient orange to purple hue of the early evening sky to the canvas panels on the toe, heel and ankle of the upper. White tumbled leather hits the sides and toebox, with black canvas swoosh and padded collar representing the picture's silhouetted skyline. An off-white midsole nods to the vintage feel, while black branding, laces, lining and outsole finish off the look.

Since this shoe's design is based on one of the most famous images of MJ when he was still just a rising star, we decided to feature a rising star from our own city in our photo shoot: Roman Catholic High School senior Xzayvier Brown. Brown led Roman Catholic to the Philadelphia Catholic League championship this year, scoring a game high 20 points - including a buzzer-beating three to tie the game in regulation - to defeat Neumann-Goretti 57-52 in overtime. This fall he will take his talents from Roman's Center City locale up to the leafy northwest Philly campus of St. Joe's to begin his Division 1 basketball career.

Xzayvier is a city kid through and through, crediting his time taking on players of all ages on the city's playgrounds with building his resolve and ambition. "My experiences from playing (on the playgrounds in the city) over the years," he said, "and looking at the history that’s come before me has me just wanting to keep chasing greatness.” 

Although MJ retired long before Xzayvier started playing, or was even born for that matter, his greatness is still able to inspire any generation. "It's crazy," Brown said, "I was a Lebron fan but I watched Last Dance and ever since then I’ve been pro-Jordan! The thing I appreciate about Jordan is the mentality. He worked hard as ever, I mean he was cut from his High-School team. Jordan to me is the GOAT.” 

The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG "Skyline" will be available on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00am both in-store at our 1106 Chestnut St. location and online at lapstoneandhammer.com.

Photos by Quan Harris

Modeled by Xzayvier Brown