Inflluencer and model Aleali May took to Instagram on Wednesday (November 11, 2020) to reveal a potential new collaboration with Air Jordan on a Retro 4 silhouette.
Working off of a brown and tan color palette, the shoe was uploaded on Veteran’s Day and is described by May as a tribute to her father, who is a U.S. veteran of the Gulf War.
According to May, the shoe’s tongue is detailed with her father’s army unit patch, the Colorado-based 4th Infantry Division Gator Brigade. While May added that the sneaker is only for friends and family, it’s likely a wider release of the shoe will follow. The shoe is also distinguished by a purple quilted insole, stamped with the letter A, which May uses as a brand motif.
Jordan has collaborated with May once a year since 2017. The Los Angeles native made her debut with a Retro 1 Shadow model in 2017, followed by a Retro 1 Court Lux in 2018 and a Retro 6 in 2019 whose color was affectionately described as Millennial Pink.
At the time of her first collaboration in 2017, May was only the second woman to collaborate with Jordan on a shoe. The first partnership with a woman was with Vasthie Kola, whose Retro 2 sneaker was released in 2000.
In the caption, May wrote, “Happy Veterans Day to my Hero, DAD🖤 Straight into Desert Storm from Basic Training in 1990, you and so many other Veterans have fought tirelessly for your country and loved ones. From 1990-2013.. with many tours under your belt.. always ALWAYS, thank you for your service🙏🏽 back with the @Jumpman23 SQUAD to honor your special day With the family, for the family🖤 Only for friends and family🦾Stay Tuneddd.”
Expressing his appreciation on the post announcing the shoe, May’s father wrote, “I’m her dad and it tears me to think she’s honoring me and my brothers and sisters in arms HAPPY VETERANS to all Vets I was so proud to wear the uniform for 23yrs💯”
