Jordan release: the history, the iconic models, and the upcoming drops

Jordans are not sneakers like any other. Every sneakerhead's love and obsession, Nike Jordans have become, over time, the reference sneakers for athletes and collectors all over the world. Starting this month, at Urbanstaroma you'll find a wide selection of Jordan sneakers. Before announcing the most exclusive models and drops, let's look back at the history of this streetwear milestone. From the basketball court to today's street style, it's time to rediscover the impact of these sneakers.

The story of Air Jordan begins in 1984, when a young Michael Jordan, then a rising star with the Chicago Bulls, signed an unprecedented contract with Nike. This gave birth to one of the most iconic and successful sportswear lines of all time. The Air Jordan 1 launched on April 1, 1985, priced at $64.99. Nike expected to sell 100,000 pairs in the first year but, against all expectations, shipped 1.5 million pairs of Jordans in the first six weeks, reaching $26 million in the first year. Since 1997 Jordan has been a brand in its own right, including an apparel line of hoodies, tracksuits and underwear loved all over the world.

Another fun fact concerns the designer of the first silhouette: although many Jordans were created by the renowned Tinker Hatfield (designer of the Air Max 1 and the Air Huarache), the Air Jordan 1 was designed by Peter Moore, a lesser-known name at Nike. Moore designed the shoe with input from Michael Jordan himself, who specifically asked for something eye-catching and low so he could feel the court under his feet. Moore also added a compressed air unit in the sole to cushion impact. The New York Times described the new shoes as "like space boots", marking the start of a new era of street style. Until then, most sneakers on the market came in classic black and white. With the Jordan release, Moore set out to design a shoe where color was the star. That's why the first Jordans came in red, black and white, the colors of the Chicago Bulls franchise.

The shoes are named after Michael Jordan because Nike, at the time, decided to bet everything on him to create a line of footwear bearing his name. Jordan wasn't just an exceptional athlete but a true cultural phenomenon, a player rewriting the rules of basketball with his undeniable talent and charismatic personality. His impact on the NBA and on popular culture was so deep that Nike saw the potential of a partnership that went beyond a simple endorsement. Creating a line entirely dedicated to him meant tying the product to his greatness forever, with an aura of prestige and desirability like no other.

In the Jordan world, the acronym OG stands for "Original". It refers to the original versions of the shoes, the ones released for the first time. OG versions are often the most sought after by collectors for their authenticity and their direct link to the model's history and to Michael Jordan's performances. When people talk about a "Jordan 1 OG", for example, they mean the design and materials of the model's first release, as opposed to later reissues or reinterpretations.

The Jordan universe is incredibly vast and constantly expanding. Besides the famous numbered line, which runs from the Jordan 1 to the very recent Jordan 38, the brand has grown with countless lifestyle variants, exclusive collaborations and, above all, the much-loved Retro versions.

The main series include:

• Numbered line: these are the "main" models, released year after year, often alongside Michael Jordan's NBA seasons. Each number represents an evolution in design and technology. Every new Jordan shoe brought new innovations: the Nike Air bubble on the III, the reflective tongue on the V, the mesh upper on the XI.

• Retro: Retro versions are reissues of the original numbered models, often with small changes or modern materials, but always faithful to the original design. They are the most coveted by fans and collectors.

• Special editions and collaborations: these Jordans include models created in partnership with artists, designers or other brands, often with unique designs and limited runs. Designers such as Kim Jones of Dior and Virgil Abloh of Louis Vuitton have "elevated" the Air Jordan 1 into a highly valuable high-fashion item.

• Low, mid and high versions: many iconic models are released in different upper heights (low, mid, high), with options for every style preference and use.

Every Jordan model has its own value, story and cultural impact, helping to make the brand an unmatched reference in the sneaker world.

Among the huge range of Jordan models, some stand out, and always have, for their impact on the street style scene and their worldwide success. Here are a few:

• J 1: the shoe that started it all. Released in 1985, it became famous not only for its bold design but also for being initially banned by the NBA because its red and black colorway broke the uniform rules. Every time Michael Jordan wore them, Nike paid a fine, generating incredible publicity and turning the shoe into a symbol of rebellion. It is still one of the most wanted sneakers today.
  
  

• J 3: a model that marked a turning point. Released in 1988 and designed by Tinker Hatfield (a well-known figure in Nike's offices), the Jordan 3 introduced the iconic "elephant print" and the visible Air unit in the heel. It is the shoe Michael Jordan wore to win his first MVP, his first DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) and the legendary 1988 Slam Dunk Contest, with his famous take-off from the free-throw line.
  
  

• J 4: launched in 1989, the Jordan 4 consolidated Hatfield's fame with innovative features such as the plastic "wings" for ankle support and breathable mesh. It also became famous thanks to Spike Lee's film "Do the Right Thing" and saw Jordan hit the famous "The Shot" against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1989 playoffs.
  
  

• J 11: considered by many one of the most beautiful Jordans ever, the Jordan 11 was introduced in 1995. It revolutionized basketball shoe design by introducing patent leather on the upper, giving it an elegant and distinctive look. Michael Jordan wore them during the season in which the Bulls set the 72-win record and won the NBA championship, cementing them in history. "My impression was that Michael Jordan had already earned a place in the market beyond sport. It made no difference whether he was on the court or not," explained Tinker Hatfield, designer of the Jordan 11. A creative and true innovator, Hatfield followed his instinct and started working on what would become "The Grail": the eleventh Air Jordan.

If you're looking for the latest releases or the most iconic models, Urbanstaroma is your go-to store. Since June 2025, Urbanstaroma has offered an exclusive Jordan selection, with both historic models and new releases. With a special eye on trends and limited editions, Urbanstaroma is a must for every sneakerhead who wants to stay up to date with the latest news and secure the most coveted Jordans.

After the history, the present: the Jordan releases of late 2026 bring back some of the brand's most loved colorways, starting with the drops for the 30th anniversary of Space Jam. Here are the dates of the upcoming Jordans at Urbanstar, online and in our Rome store.

Air Jordan 6 “White Infrared” – November 7

The Air Jordan 6 is the shoe Michael Jordan wore to win his first NBA title in 1991, and the Air Jordan 6 “White Infrared” is one of the original colorways from that year. White leather upper with perforations, Infrared accents on the Jumpman, lace lock and heel tab lining, black and translucent outsole with visible Air. The Nike Air logo embroidered on the heel also returns, as on the original, replacing the Jumpman of the 2010 and 2014 retros.

Air Jordan Black Pack – November 7

The same day sees the release of the Air Jordan Black Pack, which brings back in black the Jordans of the late '90s and early 2000s: Air Jordan 14 Low, 15, 16 and 17 Low, with textures that recall pony hair, ostrich and snakeskin. Find every model in the Air Jordan Black Pack collection.

Air Jordan 11 “Green Screen” – November 14

For the 30th anniversary of Space Jam, Jordan Brand dedicates three Air Jordan 11s to the film. The first is the Air Jordan 11 “Green Screen”, inspired by the footage of Michael Jordan filming in front of a green screen. Green leather upper, suede on the tongue and lace area, white Jumpman, glow-in-the-dark outsole and an insole showing Jordan dunking over a Monstar.

Air Jordan 4 “Bred” – November 27

On November 27 the Air Jordan 4 “Bred” returns, the black, cement grey and red colorway from 1989, with the Nike Air logo on the heel. We're dedicating a separate article to it.

Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” – December 12

It's the Christmas Jordan: the Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” returns for the 30th anniversary of the 1996 film, in which Michael Jordan wore it with the number 23. The 2026 version brings back the original shape, with higher-cut black patent leather, Varsity Royal accents and a stitched 23 on the heel, and comes in the early-2000s retro box.

Women's Air Jordan 4 “Pink Thunder” – December 19

Closing the year is the Women's Air Jordan 4 “Pink Thunder”, in black nubuck with mesh inserts and pink details on the midsole, eyelets and side netting. It's the women's take on the “Thunder” scheme, black with contrasting accents.