Back in 2017, the visionary Virgil Abloh added his creative touch to the classic Air Jordan 1 High silhouette in its iconic “Chicago” colourway, making it a key piece in his Off-White’ The Ten’ series. His philosophy of making only minimal changes, known as the “three-percent rule,” was slight yet significant enough to breathe new life into the sneaker model. This transformed it into one of the most coveted sneakers of that year, and its value continues to soar. Taking inspiration from this very design philosophy, the sneaker artists from Reverse Land have added another layer to this renowned collaboration, but with just a simple twist in the materials used.
Admiring the Sneaker Design
Reverse Land’s impactful design tweak brilliantly confirms Abloh’s theory—a few subtle alterations can dramatically transform a sneaker. In this instance, the familiar leather and mesh upper showcased in Virgil’s reimagining is replaced with a glorious full suede build.
I won’t lie—I’m a staunch advocate for suede. Just introducing this luxurious fabric to a design seems to instantly dial up its classiness, and it certainly rings true for this twist on the classic blueprint. So, if you’re someone who treasures the original collaboration, I’m confident you’ll be smitten with this suede masterpiece created by Reverse Land.
Staying faithful to the original, the sneakers still employ the Chicago-centric triad of colours: “White,” “Black,” and “Varsity Red.” The shoe presents an off-white suede base, brilliantly offset by rich red overlays (another favourite of mine) made of soft suede fabric. The collar and deconstructed Swoosh are then decked in sleek black suede.
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As this design is still a work in progress, some of the stand-out Off-White identifiers, like the Helvetica textual prints on the medial quarters and “Air” inscribed on the midsole, are notably missing. However, there is still evidence of the distinct blue stitching and the orange tag attached to the Swoosh’s tail to conjure up that signature Off-White look. That said, it does beckon the question: What other details from the official collaboration (if any) will make their way into the finished product?
Nevertheless, for that final touch of elegance, a sail midsole and red rubber outsole provide a classy finish to this stunning design. I will have to admit that the instant they’re finished, I may have to make some room in my collection for these beauties.
How to Cop a Pair of These Suede Beauties
If you are anything like me, you probably eagerly anticipate owning these stunning suede sneakers. So, be sure to keep an eye on Reverse Land’s website and Instagram page for further information on their release. You can also simply check back with us for updates.
These beauties are still under construction at the moment, so it may be a while before they are released, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start planning all the places we’ll wear them. While we patiently wait, you can follow us here at Sneaker Fortress for more fantastic custom designs, reimagining some of the most iconic sneaker releases of all time.
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What’s your take on this sneaker design? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
