Throwing It Back to 2006
The diamond-encrusted 2006 All-Star Air Force 1, designed for then-NBA commissioner David Stern, remains one of the most legendary sneakers in basketball history. That limited-edition piece featured 470 diamonds arranged in constellation patterns across its white leather surface.

The historic 2006 NBA All-Star AF1 (Image: SneakerNews Archives)
The 2023 Homage
Nike's new interpretation replaces actual diamonds with metallic silver star embellishments but maintains the celestial theme that made the original so mesmerizing. The textured leather upper features scattered silver foil stars across midnight navy and obsidian panels, similar to the Dallas night sky that inspired the 2006 design.
Sneakerheads React
"When I first saw pics of these, I immediately thought of that unreachable grail from the '06 All-Star Weekend," says collector Marco Santos. "Nike brilliantly reimagined that same galaxy effect without the six-figure price tag."
The sneaker also includes subtle nods to the original through design elements like:
- Stellar-themed perforations on the toe box
- Shooting star stitch pattern on the heel
- Astral projection-inspired outsole detailing
A Stellar Modern Interpretation
While contemporary silhouettes continue pushing boundaries, this release proves that sometimes the most impactful designs come from thoughtful reinterpretations of archive icons. This new AF1 captures the celestial magic of its predecessor while making the starry aesthetic accessible to mainstream sneaker enthusiasts.