A Celestial Throwback
The freshly unveiled Air Force 1 pays indirect homage to the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston, where the league celebrated its cosmic connection with a galaxy-themed campaign. The shoe's silver metallic base and twinkling speckled detailing echo the 2006 All-Star Air Force 1's interstellar aesthetic, which featured constellation embroidery over a similarly futuristic pallette.
Star Power Construction
Materials here trade the 2006 version's performance mesh for premium leather, but maintain the holographic energy through:
- Iridescent Swooshes that shift colors like nebulas
- Glow-in-the-dark outsoles inspired by star trails
- Deconstructed collar padding resembling floating stardust
"This might be Nike's subtlest nod to basketball history—using cosmic elements to stitch together three generations of sneaker culture," says Complex's footwear editor.
The Collector's Galaxy
When the original All-Star AF1 debuted during the 2006 season, only 500 pairs were produced. While this new release won't carry the same exclusivity (expected to launch globally via SNKRS), its callback to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady's mid-2000s heyday makes it a must-have for astral-themed sneaker archives.