Nike brings back constellation magic with new AF1 that nods to basketball history
Image: Nike Official
The newly unveiled star-covered Air Force 1 design immediately triggers strong nostalgia for sneakerheads who remember one particularly cosmic moment in basketball history—the mesmerizing collection from 2006 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Flashback: The 2006 Constellation Craze
The 2006 All-Star Weekend in Houston birthed some of Nike's most visually striking basketball sneakers ever created. The "Behold the Stars" Nike Dunk Low Pro SB and matching Air Force 1 featured delicate meticulous Swiss cheese perforations that, when viewed under black light, revealed a stunning constellation pattern across the entire upper.
"The 2006 All-Star designs created a new standard for thematic execution in sneakers. That constellation visual still haunts our Pinterest boards 18 years later." — Complex Sneakers
The 2024 Celestial Revival
Nike's latest Air Force 1 "Night Stars" iteration perfectly captures similar cosmic energy with:
- Full celestial mapping:
- UV reactive details:
- Premium contrast:
- Old-school accents:
- UV reactive details:
The DNA Connection
| Feature | 2006 All-Star Dunk | 2024 AF1 Night Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Constellation Type | Western zodiac placements | Freeform celestial mapping |
| Leather Quality | Premium full-grain leather | Top-grain white leather |
| Special Feature | 3M tongue hits + glow stars | Color-shifting UV ink palms |
Why This Design Matters
In an era where collabs dominate headlines, seeing Nike re-examine one of its greatest thematic executions shows commitment to sneaker legacy. The 2024 AF1 doesn't just copy—it evolves the concept while respecting what made the original magical. Viewed side by side, these two celestial sneakers create a full planetary alignment for collectors who appreciate when design transcends multiple generations of footwear.
The AF1 "Night Stars" releases February 20, 2024 on Nike SNKRS and select retailers.