While Charlotte, North Carolina may not be heralded as one of the most fashionable cities in the world, its significance to the basketball world runs deep particularly for Jordan Brand. So it makes sense that with the NBA All-Star Game taking place within the state where Michael Jordan started his career at his alma mater, University or North Carolina, and within the city where he is the leagues only black team owner, his namesake company steps their game up.
This year Jordan Brand, Nike, the NBA and other partners collaborated with the Female Quotient, a company advancing equality in the workplace through collaboration, activating for change and creating measurements for accountability, to co-host the “Home of Equality” at NBA All-Star for the first time.
So, you already know there was an influx of successful women adjacent to the sneaker world that flew in (or even broke out their best to wear at home) for the festivities. Additionally, Jordan had a major, women’s only release this weekend, the patent leather Air Jordan 1 UNC, and you already know nearly every fly girl on site was laced in a pair.
I managed to wear six different pairs in my four days in NC. I wore my John Geiger 002 Volts on my flight. They’re extremely light and comfortable with no laces making them a no-brainer for travel. Once I touched down and changed I switched to my Nike Air Max DIA SE with the black laces traded for neon orange ones. I forgot shoes to pack workout shoes so I ended up wearing my gray Nike Air Monarchs that I added neon green laces to bike and do a core workout at the gym.
On day two for Jordan’s “Own The Game” Lebron James interview and the three-point and dunk contest, I went with my Air Jordan 1 x Aleali May Shadow and for All-Star Sunday I went with Air Jordan VI Infrared. Finally, on Monday for my return to New York I wore my new Nike Air Max 720 Northern Lights.
Aleali May also shared her full line up on her socials. Heavy on Jordan 1s, she brought her own Air Jordan 1 Shadow silhouette, her new Air Jordan 1 x Aleali May Court Lux colorway, plus the highly-popular Air Jordan 1 x Union LA sneakers and those new Air Jordan 1 UNC patent leather kicks to go with her friends-and-family Millennial Pink Jordan VIs. And as to why these all made the cut, she said, “All made the cut in honor to represent women in streetwear and my city, Los Angeles.”
We saw Alani Figueroa aka wuzg00d in the Air Jordan IV Hot Punch colorway, headed to the Spectrum Center Saturday night. She said she packed eight pairs of sneakers: Eytys’ Black Angel extra chunky silhouette, Nike ACG Air Mowabb x Comme des Garçons in white, Air Max 720 Total Eclipse and Northern Lights Day, Air Jordan 1 x Aleali May Court Lux, Nike Air Force 1 Low x A-COLD-WALL* and finally, Air Jordan 1 UNC.
Why so many? Figueroa says, “Although I didn’t get around to wearing every shoe, these were my essentials for the weekend. Variety is key and I wanted to make sure I had a variety of colors and eye catching classics to easily pair with outfits.”
WNBA Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson told me she traveled quite a few pairs too, “I packed my [Nike] Adapts. I love them. They’re pretty much the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I packed the 1s that came out yesterday, the UNC patent leather ones. Air Max and Off-Whites. I just love my sneakers.”
We spoke to a few more girls that maintained absolute heat throughout the week on what they wore and why those shoes made the cut for such a major All-Star Weekend. Check out their rotations below.
DJ Fannie Mae
Nike Cortez: Elemental Rose
“The classic Cortez silhouette is one of my favorite shoes, so I had to bring them! They’re lightweight, and versatile, and the dusty pastel pink can be thrown on with a variety of colors and styles of clothing.”
Air Jordan 1 High Zip: Mica Green/Sail
“This highly slept on 2018 release had to come to ASW with me! The soft suede and zipper gives a unique twist on classic retro Jordan 1. I wore them with all black overalls with a jean jacket, and a beige hat to bounce of the off white sole of the shoe.”
Nike Air More Uptempo: Reflective Black
“These retros didn’t capture me while on the shelf but when I put them on my feel I fell in love! The triple black with reflective Air Max lettering complimented my outfit so well, making the Girbaud’s jeans, with the retro UNC Michael Jordan basketball jersey with the shoes the perfect combo!”
Air Jordan 1 OG: UNC
“These were the best release of the weekend! Not much needs to be said! The patent leather with the Carolina Blue goes crazy! Shout out to the home team! GO NC!”
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When your shoes are only available in women’s sizing. #sorrynotsorry 😁 #nikewomen #nordstromxnike
Designer Melody Ehsani
“I tend to dress based on my mood and each pair of these has a different personality to me and makes me feel a different way.”
Nike Air Foamposite: Floral
“The Foams make me feel tough because of their strong basketball identity.”
Nike VaporMax: Be True
“The VaporMax is light and fun. The gradient color on the sole, the upper can kinda go with anything.”
Air Jordan 1 OG: UNC
“The Jordan 1s are my classic go to. Iconic, timeless and in this particular color way they were the perfect nod to Jordan and only made in women’s sizing which made me oddly happy.”
AirMax 97: Gold Swarovski
“The Air Max 97 Swarovski pair in gold wear my go out shoe. I wore them to party :)”
Social Status Sales Associate Karla Rodriguez
Air Jordan 1 OG: UNC
“These were the coolest (no pun intended) [Laughs] shoe for all star in my opinion. A big shoe for Michael Jordan’s beloved Carolina.The colorway was a fan favorite, and the finish was a mix of well contrasted colors topped with a shiny gloss finish that immediately catches the eye. Also, very exciting to have more AJ1’s introduced for only women.”
Air Jordan 6 NRG x Social Status: Black/Dark Concord
“A super special collaboration with Jordan x Social Status. This shoe was very special to me as an associate at the Charlotte store because we were the only store to exclusively sell the NRGs. The pony hair and snake skin detailing are very different, and the pop of purple gives e them a signature look. I love the inspiration behind the shoe, and being able to be a part of the release was an honor!”
Nike Adapt BB: Black Pure Platinum “These were definitely on the roster for biggest shoes of All-Star season. The Nike adapt BBs are an interactive shoe with fine tune features and customizable color preferences. The outside also compliments the shoe with a futuristic feel, the icy clear detailing gives a simple yet bold accent; definitely a revolutionary concept as Nike debuts their first power lacing shoe.
“I loved seeing basketball and sneakers mix this All Star weekend. I would also like to thank Nike for dressing me in the newest Matthew M Williams spring 2019 collaboration with Nike. The collection is not only a blend of beautiful garments but very technical pieces. My favorite piece was the skirt as, It had multiple pockets, and cool metal detailing. I worked out in the body suit and It felt like a second layer of skin, which I really liked. I love that the whole collection is very dynamic yet functional, whether you are using It for streetwear, or actually training in the garments, Matthew nailed his second collection with Nike.”
Stylist Rox Brown
Air Jordan 1 OG: UNC
“I bought out the UNC ones to rep the home team.”
Air Jordan 1 x Rox Brown: Black/Metallic Gold
“I bought Rox Brown Jordan 1s because it was a proud moment for me to have my own Jordan on in Jordan’s city.”
Nike Air Swoopes II
“I bought Sheryl Swoopes to rep that ladies who hoop.”
Nike Air Force I High Jester XX x Rox Brown
Air Jordan VI: Infared
“I brought the Infared VI because Jordan got his first ring wearing them and having my very own Jordan to wear at All Star felt like my first ring.”
Nike Air Max 720
“I bought the 720’s because of outfitting purposes. [Laughs.]”
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ASW 19 🏀 Thank you @jumpman23 & @nike for allowing me to be apart of this trip! 💜 #ownthegame
Stylist Sasha Deoliveira
Nike Air Max 93
“These are, hands down, one of my favorite shoes that I own, simply for the color and comfort.”
Nike ACG Mowabb x Comme des Garçons
“You can dress it up with a full Commes look or wear them very casually.”
Air Jordan 1 OG: UNC
“It’s the ASW shoe for women! I also love the colorway.”
Nike Air Force 1 circa 2007
“Forces are classics, I can’t travel without a pair! For me this the one shoe I can wear with a blazer and then also wear it with sweatpants and sweatshirt.”
Author: Rae Witte
