This Unreleased Air Jordan Is One of Nike’s Most Ambitious Sneaker Designs Ever
One of Nike, Inc.’s most ambitious sneaker projects may never be released, but a new set of high-resolution imagery gives the best look yet at the Air Jordan 3 RTNA.
Originally showcased in 2021 at England’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art and recently shared by English Sole, the Air Jordan 3 RTNA is a collaboration between Nike and Lifescaped, a scientist-led art company which is best known for its nature-inspired innovation in color.
By using Lifescaped’s Pure Structural Colour technology — described by the company as the “the world’s brightest color” — Nike and Jordan Brand applied a thin coating to portions of the shoe for a look that is among the brand’s most eye-catching.
The coating is a transparent silicon dioxide composed of microscopic shapes, which Lifescaped founder Andrew Parker compared to tiny holograms. The shapes can then be adjusted to emit certain wavelengths of light, resulting in the multicolor appearance. Surprisingly, no pigments or dyes are used to achieve the color.
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On the Nike side, the RTNA project involved its Explore Team and brand luminaries including Tinker Hatfield, Kim Kovel, Elizabeth Brock Jones and Tory Bryant.
According to Wired, the butterfly-inspired iridescent coating found on the Air Jordan 3 RTNA is less than 1/100,000th the thickness of hair, resulting in a look that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is fragile. While on display at the Gallery of Botanical Art, volunteers were forbidden from touching the shoes.
“It will never fade and it can be made in any hue,” Parker said of his Pure Structural Colour innovation.
Observant sneaker fans may remember another version of the Air Jordan 3 RTNA, which covered the entire upper in the sneaker’s signature elephant print pattern, was also previewed in ’21. As for the pair pictured here, it was worn by Fat Joe in 2022.
In related Air Jordan 3 news, the sneaker is set to be released in a new “Champagne & Oysters” women’s-exclusive colorway in November along with a Realtree Camo-inspired “Family Affair” look set for a holiday launch.
Given the technology required to produce the Air Jordan 3 RTNA, it remains unlikely that the sneaker will be released to the public. For now, readers can find the most detailed look at the pair yet below.
