NIKE AIR FORCE 1

The year 2012 kicks off the 30th anniversary of the Air Force 1, and there is no doubt that this will be an important year for its beloved followers. With this milestone, even the most classic of colorways, the white-on-white, is getting made over and is sure to stand out as one of the most cherished 30th anniversary models. In celebration, Nike designed a number of t-shirts commemorating the years 1982 and 2012 - creating the perfect hook-up to wear with your favorite Air Force 1's.

Worn, collected and admired the world over - the Air Force 1. The popularity of this legendary Nike basketball silhouette has left its mark everywhere thanks to its wide array of colors, innovative design aspects and exclusive, limited-quantity releases. Since its origins on the East Coast, this shoe has revolutionized sneaker culture, creating a truly devout following of trendsetters, athletes and pop-culture icons.

Birth
With the birth of the Air Force 1 in 1982, Nike embarked on a journey that would end in the flawless union of court and lifestyle. The Air Force 1 is the first shoe in athletic footwear history to maintain a cult-like following for over three decades. Since its initial introduction, over 1,800 color variations have been released - each gathering its own amount of respect and admiration among sneaker enthusiasts worldwide. That's why everyone from NBA All-Stars to hip-hop moguls, graffiti legends to world-renowned artists, the Air Force 1 has become a must-have shoe, leaving an impression everywhere from the courts to the streets and even the early pages of Eastbay.

Lift Off
Bruce Kilgore was the mastermind behind the concept of the Air Force 1. He named his famous creation after the high-flying aircraft that, to this day, transports United States Presidents around the world. Kilgore took Nike's earth-shattering Air® technology and integrated it into the design of the Air Force 1. In addition to utilizing Air® technology, he incorporated a supportive high-top silhouette with an ankle-hugging strap to maximize durability and protection on the court. This sat on top of an outsole designed with strategically placed circles for never-before-experienced control and traction, resulting in a basketball shoe that was both functional and stylish.

The earliest installment of the Air Force 1 was introduced to the public as a cutting-edge performance basketball shoe. It was the first of its kind, offering Air® technology throughout the sole for unparalleled comfort and support. Due to its basketball-inspired design, the Air Force 1 quickly graced the feet of six admired NBA players: Moses Malone, Michael Cooper, Jamal Wilkes, Bobby Jones, Mychal Thompson and Calvin Natt.

Early Urban Influence
As word spread about the Air Force 1, its demand began to double, and the shoe started to take on a persona of its own. Fans throughout the East Coast began referring to the shoes as Up-towns, Harlems and Nike Airs, but no matter the name, it was always the Air Force 1 they craved. It developed its own diverse culture that spread far beyond the courts and into the closets of appreciators and devout collectors worldwide. Due to their must-have appeal advertising wasn't necessary thanks to Nike's exclusive and limited-quantity releases.

The popularity of the Air Force 1 hit an all-time high in the 2000s, with the release of the chart-topping single "Air Force Ones." Since then, Nike has collaborated with renowned pop-culture and sneaker enthusiasts such as Hiroshi Fujiwara, Undefeated and Mr. Cartoon to produce one-of-a-kind, highly anticipated releases. But when all is said and done, nothing - not one color - can hold a candle to the basic white-on-whites.

Today
Today the Air Force 1 has generated a diverse following for its high, mid and low-top options. This unique entourage cherishes the simplicity of the AF1's silhouette and the shoe's ability to adapt and hook back to any outfit, no matter the occasion. It's considered a sneaker with so much power that no one guy or hip-hop artist made them happen - it was the fresh people of the streets who elevated them to iconic status. Because of that, the Air Force 1 continues to hold its place in history as one of the best-selling shoes of all time.