Nike's latest Air Force 1 release has sent shockwaves through sneaker culture, drawing uncanny parallels to the brand's legendary 2006 NBA All-Star edition that still dominates collector conversations today.
A Galactic Design Language
The 2023 iteration dazzles with its familiar constellation pattern exactly mirroring the celestial treatment that made the '06 Dunk High so revolutionary.
- Starburst accents:
- Midsole detailing:
- Tonal star embossing:
- Midsole detailing:
Passing the Torch
What makes this homage remarkable is its Frankfurt line collector John Meyer observes: "The original only released in women's sizing back in '06. This AF1 release finally gives male collectors what they've demanded for 17 years."
"From first leaked images, I knew Nike was redeeming themselves for never retroing the All-Stars. The embroidery technique used for the new celestial map alone shows how far manufacturing has come." - @SneakerArchivist812
Launch Specifications
| Model | Colorway | Release Date | Retail Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force 1 'Celestial' | White/Metallic Gold-Deep Space BlueNovember 28, 2023 | $160 | |
| Nike Dunk High All-Star 2006 | White/Metallic Silver-Royal Blue | February 18, 2006 | Original: $90 |
While subtle updates like glow-in-the-dark eyelets and premium Italian suede differentiate this modern interpretation, that electrifying contrast stitching forming star connections across the quarter panels remains the design's soul - a constellation reborn.