The sneaker world is abuzz with the latest luxury iteration of the iconic Nike Air Force 1, drawing uncanny parallels to a legendary 2006 All-Star edition that still holds cult status among collectors.

The 2024 Star-Studded Air Force 1 features celestial-inspired detailing (Credit: Nike)

A Cosmic Connection

This year's premium Air Force 1 pays homage to celestial bodies with its diamond-encrusted constellations spelling "AIR" across the side panels. The design language immediately calls to mind Dee Wells' legendary 2006 East vs. West All-Star Air Force 1 that famously featured an astrological theme across its two mismatched sneakers.

"The galactic treatment instantly teleported me back to the 2006 pair that changed how we view AF1 collabs," stated sneaker historian Marcus Kelvin. "That was the first time we saw an Air Force 1 that wasn't just about colors - it told a story."

Materials Speak Volumes

While the 2006 design used laser-etching and glow-in-the-dark tooling to achieve its astronomical effect, the 2024 iteration employs:

• 24-karat gold-plated eyelets
• Over 100 micro-paved diamonds
• Genuine meteorite dust-infused midsoles

The explosive 2006 East (white) and West (black) editions (Credit: Complex)

2024's limited edition takes premium materials to another stratosphere

Cultural Impact

What made the 2006 pair revolutionary was its celebration of regional basketball culture during All-Star weekend. This new interpretation instead focuses on universal human fascination with the cosmos.

The 2024 AF1 is scheduled for a November drop exclusively on Nike's SNKRS app, with only 506 pairs produced to honor the 50th anniversary of hip-hop culture (1974-2024) and the Air Force 1's 1982 debut.

Whether you're a OG sneakerhead who remembers waiting overnight for the '06 drop or a new collector drawn to blinged-out luxury kicks, these star-studded siblings demonstrate how the Air Force 1 continues to reinterpret street culture's relationship with both basketball and broader creative movements.