Chicago: The Air Jordan Skyline Gore-Tex Jacket features the Chicago skyline and a young Michael Jordan in a Jumpman pose, paying tribute to the iconic logo. With an upcoming sneaker rerelease, the jacket highlights Jordan’s legacy and offers a stylish, water-resistant option for fans.
Nike, Inc.’s Jordan Brand has introduced a new piece of outerwear titled the Air Jordan Skyline Gore-Tex Jacket, showcasing the Chicago skyline prominently on the front and a youthful Michael Jordan executing his iconic Jumpman pose on the back. This jacket pays homage to the legendary photoshoot that produced the renowned Jumpman logo, a staple in athletic footwear branding.
The design draws on imagery from a memorable shoot where Jordan wore a black-and-red Nike Air Jordan Flight Suit, complementing the “Black Toe” Air Jordan 1 sneakers. Coincidentally, these sneakers are set to be rereleased at retail on Saturday, amplifying the significance of the jacket’s debut.
In a 1997 interview with Hoop Magazine, Jordan revealed an interesting anecdote about the photoshoot that produced the Jumpman image. “I wasn’t even dunking on that one,” he shared. “People think that I was. I just stood on the floor, jumped up and spread my legs and they took the picture. I wasn’t even running. Everyone thought I did that by running and taking off. Actually, it was a ballet move where I jumped up and spread my legs. And I was holding the ball in my left hand.”
Historians of Jordan’s career will note that this pose was not unique to the 1985 imagery but can be traced back to a 1984 photoshoot for Life magazine, where a newly graduated Jordan was photographed by Co Rentmeester while representing Team USA. Interestingly, during this shoot, Jordan was wearing New Balance sneakers, acknowledged in a 2023 collaboration by Chicago designer Joe Freshgoods. The origins of the Jumpman logo have been subject to legal scrutiny; Rentmeester attempted to sue Nike over the logo in 2015, a case that was ultimately dismissed in 2018.
The Air Jordan Skyline Gore-Tex Jacket is now becoming available on the brand’s e-commerce platform, initially in big kids’ sizes, with an adult version expected to follow. The big kids’ version is priced at $130, constructed from water-resistant polyester and featuring a roomy cut with dropped shoulders for easy layering. The adult version, utilising fully waterproof Gore-Tex fabric, is set at a price point of $500 and awaits a forthcoming release.
Source: Noah Wire Services
