Union Just Debuted a Never-Before-Seen Air Jordan 1 Collaboration
While sneaker fans eagerly await the official launch details for the latest Union x Air Jordan Retro 1 High collaboration, the Los Angeles-based boutique is already building buzz through teasers and in-person activations. On Wednesday night, Union friends and family were in attendance for an event which saw the first-ever look at a new variation of the store’s coveted collab.
In addition to an up-close look at the upcoming retail release, Wednesday’s event gave fans a first look at a never-before-seen sample version of the Union x Air Jordan 1 High. The pair uses the same mash-up theme seen on the retailer’s other Air Jordan 1 makeups, but in a brand new colorway.
This time, the majority of the upper is colored in the Air Jordan 1’s original North Carolina-inspired “UNC” color blocking while the ankle collar adopts the look of the 1985 “Royal” style. The collaboration’s signature zig-zag stitching appears in an orange shade, while other signature details such as the “UN/LA” tag and alternate yellow shoelaces remain unaltered. The sample pair also includes a pre-yellowed midsole, yellow painted edges and a white woven tongue label.
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Some reports indicate that the previously unseen “UNC/Royal” Union x Air Jordan 1 High could be destined for a friends-and-family exclusive treatment, but as of publishing, it doesn’t appear that the colorway has been gifted to anyone yet. An information placard from the event denoted the shoe as a sample.
In addition to the upcoming release which blends the Air Jordan 1’s original “Chicago” and “Shadow” colorways, Union is also rumored to release a version of the sneaker in collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment Design brand. Images of that pair have yet to surface, and there is no indication of a connection between it and the “UNC/Royal” pair previewed on Wednesday.
When reached for comment, Union confirmed that the “UNC/Royal” colorway is not for sale but declined to provide further details.
While the finer points of the release are still being fleshed out, it’s clear that Union has big plans for the return of its Air Jordan 1 collaboration. The Union x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG SP “I’m Back” colorway featuring the “Chicago” and “Shadow” combination is expected to be released Feb. 28 for a retail price of $200. It has a SKU of HV8563-600 and a full colorway of “Varsity Red/Black/Sail/Shadow Gray/Muslin.”
