From an outsider’s perspective, the Air Jordan sneakers made famous on the NBA hardwood by Michael Jordan might not have much in common with iconic Japanese streetwear brand A Bathing Ape (aka Bape). However, the seemingly worlds-apart basketball shoes and camouflage-laden clothing brand are actually quite comparable. They’ve both been popular in streetwear circles for decades, and there’s a fair amount of crossover between fans of each brand. There’s also this custom Bape x Air Jordan 1, which was handcrafted by Canadian sneaker artist Jack the Ripper.
This custom sneaker merges the silhouette of the Air Jordan 1 — the first Jordan sneaker, originally released in 1985 — with Bape’s signature camouflage motif. It’s presented in the Air Jordan 1’s timeless black-red color scheme, which has been reconstructed with materials from Bape. Inside, the sneakers are lined with deerskin, and the tongue is adorned with custom Bape tags.
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For the time being, it appears that these custom sneakers are a one-off creation, but you can find contact information and see Jack the Ripper’s other work on his website.
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