Air Jordan 11 'Purple Rain': The Sneaker Tribute That Honors Prince in Style

If the name “Prince” doesn’t evoke dazzling purple shades in your mind, you might need to revisit the ’80s. Think about it- not many rock legends can claim to have a colour so closely associated with them. It’s a colour synonymous with his enriching legacy and one that is forever cemented within our cultural consciousness. Link that to his stellar discography, and you have a visual symphony that accompanies his iconic tunes, such as Purple Rain. Now, imagine this rich hue and legacy set against the backdrop of an Air Jordan 11 sneaker. This is what the Air Jordan 11 “Purple Rain” proposes. It’s a tribute to Prince that uniquely blends his iconic colour with a sneaker design that has stood the test of time, and will surely appeal to fans of both iconic music and streetwear fashion.

“Purple Rain, Purple Rain”

Here at Sneaker Fortress, our creative team has cooked up yet another concept sneaker. This time around, it’s for all the fans of Prince. However, even if you aren’t one, don’t worry. The stunning colour combinations and the distinctive design of these sneakers will win you over no matter what music you’re into. That said, if you happen to be a Prince lover, you’ll certainly appreciate the subtle touches reflecting his iconic style and memory.

Let’s kick off with the upper. Most of the sneaker features sleek white leather, matched to perfection with crisp white lace tabs and laces. To contrast this, the inner lining is drenched in a radiant magenta hue, which is replicated on the metallic Jumpman logo and poised on the heel of the shoe.

Then there’s the striking purple velvet, a hue that instantly evokes everything Prince. In an unusual move, this plush fabric replaces the traditional patent leather, offering a delightful contrast—though I’m still a fan of the classic patent leather look. However, this rich velvet material does give the shoe a regal feel, taking its style quotient up a notch and truly making it representative of Prince.

Of course, the homage to the musical genius doesn’t stop at colour alone. A lace tag bearing a graphic echoing Prince’s famous Love Symbol is another delicate yet significant nod to his legacy. The fusion of radiant magenta, plush purple velvet, and symbolic elements make this shoe a veritable tribute to the man fondly referred to as the Purple One.

Prince’s Relationship with Jordan: The Truth & Fiction

Over the years, there have been countless rumours about Prince and Michael Jordan’s relationship through the Nike brand. In fact, a Facebook post made the rounds shortly after he died, citing that Prince was responsible for convincing a young Michael Jordan to sign with Nike (and even designed the first Air Jordan 1) and that Prince invested in Nike. Unfortunately, these claims all seem to be false. As PolitiFact points out, The Artist was too young at the time and never had any real involvement with MJ. Despite his own love for the game, he did not know the famous basketball personally. He did not buy shares in Nike. Prince never invested in the company, either. And he did not design the Air Jordan 1 (Peter Moore did) or any other Jordan sneaker.

Should these Kicks Become Reality?

If only these concept kicks could cross the border into reality. However, fans can still enjoy the creativity and vision driving this tribute to a musical titan. Perhaps, in the days to come, Jordan Brand might surprise us with a special Prince-tribute piece. Michael Jordan was known to be a huge Prince fan. Both men, after all, have cemented their places as legends in their individual domains. Here’s a hopeful toast to the day we might see an Air Jordan 11 wearing Prince’s characteristic colours and symbol as part of a future Jordan release.

What do you think of the Air Jordan 11 “Purple Rain”? Is this a design you would like to see brought to life by Jordan Brand sometime in the future?