Purple Rain x Air Jordan 1: A Sneaker Tribute to Prince

What happens when the majesty of Prince’s “Purple Rain” meets the timeless silhouette of the Air Jordan 1? We’ll tell you: magic in the form of sneakers. For those of you who cherish plus sing along to Prince’s unforgettable anthem and have a soft spot for the film, these exquisitely designed sneakers would be the perfect addition to your collection. Carefully designed by our resident creative at Sneaker Fortress, Jarrod Saunders, we’re proud to introduce our electrifying “Purple Rain” Air Jordan 1 concept design.

There’s hardly a soul who can resist belting out the words to the Prince classic ‘Purple rain, purple rain!’ when it plays (I can sense I’ll be playing this catchy tune in my head all day). Don’t even get me started on the anthemic guitar solo that he was known to extend for even longer durations in his live performances! This song is a musical sensation that has reverberated throughout the music world, marking Prince’s enduring influence. Maybe you’ve mesmerised audiences at karaoke with it or energised your party with its rhythmic guitar strokes and Prince’s soulful vocals. Personally, my first encounter was with the movie -yes, you guessed it – “Purple Rain“, a classic that hit screens in 1984.

Prince Purple Rain Air Jordan 1 Sneakers

The film marked Prince’s acting debut, following the journey of a tormented musician called “The Kid”, grappling with life’s ups and downs. The memorable title track of the film became a signature tune for the legendary artist, and its passionate delivery on screen showcased Prince’s exceptional talent, cementing his status as a music icon. Not to mention, it left a lasting impression on us. So, naturally, we had to craft an Air Jordan 1 concept sneaker inspired by the iconic film and its signature song.

In tune with the movie’s cover art, the “Purple Rain” Air Jordan 1 sneaker is steeped in vibrant hues of purple and black. But it’s not just any old mix of purple and black, mind you. The stunning shimmery purple shade lies beneath what seems to have once been a solid black upper. However, it has been made to appear as though the black has been gradually worn away, revealing the captivating purple underneath. This distressed look creates a gradient effect between the purple and black hues that is simply stunning. This eye-catching feature emulates the playful rays of light bouncing off Prince’s suit and glistening motorbike as showcased in the movie poster and connects the shoe’s design to the film’s aesthetic. Talk about attention to detail!

Adding to the design’s intrigue, a vibrant pink patent leather Swoosh graces the shoe’s side, echoing the colour of the “love symbol” seen on Prince’s bike. The lively pink contrasts beautifully with the purple and black, subtly elevating the overall design. As fans, we know just how this symbol is intertwined with Prince’s iconic brand. It would have been great, in my opinion, to place this symbol on the shoe itself. Perhaps on the insole?

Then, grounding the design is the matte black finish on the leather mudguard, eye-stays and ankle flap. Moreover, the ankle flap features one of my favourite elements: the words “Purple Rain” styled in the exact colour scheme and font used in the movie poster. This little detail perfectly establishes this design as a tribute to the film and its iconic soundtrack.

Finally, it’s hard to miss that the midsole mimics the sneakers’ two-tone upper, although black is the prevailing colour here. This ensures a unified and harmonious look, tying the design elements together. However, the outsole and stitching just above the midsole are in a pristine white, creating a striking contrast against the black. This design touch harks back to Prince’s shirt on the movie poster cover, further emphasising the connection to the film.

We’re massive fans of a Prince-themed sneaker, and this design hits all the right chords. It may just be our favourite. We are utterly convinced that we have a winner in this “Purple Rain” Air Jordan 1 concept design. But what do you think? Would you rock a pair of these “Purple Rain” Air Jordan 1 sneakers?

Should we bring these “Purple Rain” Air Jordan 1 sneakers to life?