Union LA has been a pillar of streetwear since 1989. Collaborating with Nike for the first time in 2009 with the ‘Clerk’s Pack’ Air Force 180, Union has made an incredible impact on the sneaker world in the years since. With their upcoming take on the AJKO just around the corner, we thought we’d take a brief look through the history of the incredible Union x Air Jordan collaboration.
Air Jordan x Union 1 Retro High OG (2018)
This string of collaborations started off with a bang on the Air Jordan 1 High. Taking inspiration from vintage clothing and footwear, these pairs take on a DIY aesthetic, with the ankle collars seemingly stitched on from different colourways. This collab dropped in two colourways, Storm Blue and Varsity Red, with more colourways rumoured to drop in the future…
Air Jordan x Union LA 4 Retro (2020-2021)
No doubt one of Union’s most-loved collabs, their colourful and ever-so stylish take on the Air Jordan 4. In 2020 the first two pairs dropped, the Off-Noir and Guava Ice. Both featured accents of red and blue but took on completely different vibes on the subtle black Off-Noir and the bright pink Guava Ice.
In 2021 the collab continued. Equally colourful, this year’s drop included the Desert Moss, featuring accents of purple and aqua set against a chartreuse suede base. One of the most popular Union 4s has to be the Taupe Haze released as part of Union’s 30th anniversary, coming in a titular sandy suede base, with bright blue and green hits.
Air Jordan x Union LA 2 SP (2022)
Things got high concept for the Air Jordan 2, released as part of Union’s ‘Future is Now’ capsule. This release reimagined the AJ2 as a piece of lived-in footwear from the future, made with a utilitarian canvas upper, complete with suede overlays. The two colourways consisted of pale Grey Fog and Rattan, with more solid accents of blue and orange respectively.
Air Jordan x Union AJKO 1 Low SP (2023)
With the Union AJKO, the boutique continues to make statements with their collaborations. This is the very first low top version of the classic KO version of the Air Jordan 1. Helping this pair stand out, even more, is its all-over bright white canvas upper. The suede Swooshes on the sides can also be peeled back with velcro, revealing a unique Union print underneath.
While technically a new design, this fresh white pair could easily be mistaken for an 80s classic. Hence the inspiration for this design comes from the clean and simple styles that Union owner Chris Gibbs remembers from his youth. The shoes are even marketed with the tagline “It Could Be So Simple”.
The Air Jordan x Union AJKO 1 Low SP ‘White’ drops on the 4th of February, with sizes already available now on KLEKT.
