A nostalgic throwback to one of Nike's most iconic collaborations
The recent release of the star-emblazoned Air Force 1 has sent shockwaves through sneaker culture, with veteran collectors immediately drawing parallels to the legendary 2006 Nike All-Star Dunk collaboration that featured a similar celestial theme.
Dominated by silver metallic leather and tiny perforated star details that reveal a contrasting underlayer, the new AF1 pays clear homage to San Francisco-based artist Barry McGee's
"This might be Nike's strongest callback design in years. They've truly bottled the cosmic electricity of that original All-Star drop."
- Jason Marks, Sole Collector Magazine
Parallel Universes: 2006 vs. 2023
| 2006 All-Star Dunk | 2023 Star AF1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Designer | Barry McGee | Nike Special Projects |
| Star Technique | Scattered hand-painted stars | Laser-perforated constellations |
| Limited Edition | 650 pairs worldwide | TBD release numbers |
While McGee's original work featured raw, folkloric imperfections mirroring his graffiti roots, today's AF1 displays precision-engineered craftsmanship - evidence of how far Nike's printing technologies have evolved.
Why This Matters Now
In an era of relentless retro reissues, this subtle design callout succeeds as more than nostalgia bait. According to Nike Special Project lead Devan Goodwin, "We wanted to recreate that magical feeling collectors had in the mid-2000s, when limited collaborations felt like discovering actual shooting stars in sneaker form."
The original 2006 pair currently trades around $12,000 in deadstock condition, making this accessible reinterpretation particularly meaningful for collectors resigned to ogling the grail from a distance.
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The shoes will be accompanied by special packaging containing constellation charts on recycled paper, plus augmented reality functionality allowing buyers to scan the star patterns with their smartphones.