Hard to believe 26 years have passed since the introduction of the Air Jordan. Each year still brings a tinge of excitement as February turns and the latest in the line of iconic hoop shoes hits shelves. The 2011 once again delivers ground breaking technology – a revolutionary employment of interchangeable midsoles gives players option to be either quicker or more explosive – clad in an elegant and refined shoe. How refined? The Air Jordan 2011 is the first basketball shoe to feature handcrafted Patina leather.
Tom Luedecke, a Senior Footwear Designer for Jordan Brand, co-led the design of the Air Jordan 2011 alongside Tinker Hatfield. His background in innovation – including contributions to the designs of the Nike Hyperdunk and the Nike Zoom Trainer 1 – are on full display in the technological innovations of sneaker. His personal history, Luedecke is the grandson of the shoemaker, finds form in the refined process of manufacture.
We met with Luedecke to talk about the design inspiration of the Air Jordan 2011. Images and more after the jump.
