Many may already be acquainted with Zion Williamson’s distinctive “Voodoo” Air Jordan 1 Low colourway. This unique sneaker takes its inspiration from the rich culture of New Orleans, deriving the “Voodoo” theme from the city’s iconic voodoo dolls. Its original colourway was such a hit that Jordan Brand teamed up with Williamson to reimagine it in vibrant shades of blue in 2023, styling it as the “Voodoo Alternate.” Given the original colourways’ undeniable popularity, it doesn’t come as a surprise that an Air Jordan 1 High rendition has also popped up on the sneaker scene.
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As much as we at Sneaker Fortress love a good pair of lows, there is always room for a high-top version of a popular sneaker. They bring the same iconic design and style to the table but with the additional benefits of enhanced ankle support and a timeless basketball aesthetic. And thanks to Zoom Kicks (@zoomkickss), we are introduced to a high-top variation of the much-adored “Voodoo” sneakers.
The custom-made “Voodoo” Air Jordan 1 High carries a striking resemblance to its inspirational muse, adopting a similar colour palette featuring “Flax,” “Muslin,” “Fauna,” “Brown,” “Oil Green,” “Sesame,” and “Moon Fossil.” However, it’s not a mere mimicry. The design takes creative liberties by integrating eye-catching fabric changes and distinct branding details to add some unique flavour.
That being said, the base of the “Voodoo” Air Jordan 1 High design stays pretty loyal to the original “Voodoo” colourway. Beige-hued suede graces the mid-panel, with brown suede accentuating the perforated toe and Nike Swoosh. To harmonise with the 2022 colourway, sporadic stitch details also embellish the profile Swooshes.
Other features that keep true to the original design include the roughly textured suede on the tongue and the embroidered voodoo-doll graphics adorning the lateral heels. Inverted mini-swooshes on the forefoot, an upside-down “Nike Air” label on the tongue, and beautiful braided rope laces securing the shoe also remain quintessential elements.
However, the designer has chosen to personalise his version of the “Voodoo” model further by introducing a slight cut on the tongue of the sneaker. This gives the sneaker a subtle distressed look, adding to its unique “Voodoo” charm.
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Naturally, the discussion now moves on to highlight those distinctive elements that differentiate the “Voodoo” Air Jordan 1 High sneakers from the original ones. Rather than sticking with the usual burlap-like overlays, the craftsman behind this stunning custom chose the rich texture of tumbled leather. This leather faithfully mirrors the eclectic colour blocking of the original pair, with various tones of green and brown positioned differently on the overlays of the left and right shoes.
The creator of the custom sneakers has also given the pair a few other twists. The usual decorative stitching on the mudguard and heels has been replaced with the notable Jumpman logo. Also notably absent are the brown suede heel tabs featuring the upside-down Wings logos.
The final touches to these stunning sneakers include a vintage-style midsole and a gum rubber outsole. The stitching on the midsole is also faithful to the original, featuring a mismatched combination of green and light brown threads.
Overall, this custom design marvellously fuses the original design with fresh elements that result in an enhanced premium look. Although I must admit, I do miss the distinctive brown suede heel tabs. These unique features would elegantly lift to display the asymmetrical ‘Voodoo’ and ‘Zion’ designs hidden on the inner side. Beyond this, the sneaker is a beautiful alternative to the original low-top design- especially for those who prefer a high-top sneaker.
Zoom Kicks has yet to confirm if they’ll offer this custom “Voodoo” model for sale, although signs do indicate that there is a possibility. In the meantime, you still have a shot at getting hold of the original “Voodoo” colourway launched in November 2022 at a retail price of $170 USD.
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As it stands, you can snag them off sites like StockX, with prices varying from $309 to $895 based on size. So, if you’re keen on adding the “Voodoo” colourway to your collection, you still have the opportunity to rock that New Orleans vibe on your feet.
