Nike's latest creation, the star-studded Air Force 1, has taken the sneaker world by storm. Covered in metallic silver stars, this bold iteration brings back a wave of nostalgia for those who remember the iconic 2006 NBA All-Star Air Force 1—a legendary release that still haunts eBay listings today.
The similarities between the two designs are impossible to ignore. The 2023 stars pay direct homage to
Sneakerheads have spotted visual parallels beyond just the star accents. The tongue labels draw from the same NASA-inspired font, and the chunky soles come laden with interstellar speckles. Even Nike’s press release subtly nods to space-themed escapism—just like the ‘06 campaign.
Flashback to 2006: The All-Star pair was arguably peak exclusive hype (pre-social media firestorms). Jay-Z reportedly wore them unreleased at the game, triggering a frenzy. Today, the resale market lingers near $5,000–$8,000. Meanwhile, Nike’s new stars land conspicuously during All-Star Weekend—ten years later...
the '06 All-Star pair's full-grain leather upper dressed in metallic silver embellishments,
"What feels fresh isn't purely the metallic theme, but how the constellation placement delivers drama," — Jayson Faber, Complex
A Celestial Throwback
2023 Star-Studded AF1
2006 NBA All-Star AF1
Cultural Footprint