With all the fanfare surrounding the just released Jordan XIs, it makes you wonder if everyone really knows what went into making the shoes in the first place.
A lot of the kids who risked frostbite to stand on line were not even alive while Michael Jordan was playing ball in the original shoes.
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The Jordan XI was originally designed by longtime Nike and brand Jordan designer Tinker Hatfield. Hatfield, who is responsible for quite a few iconic Nike sneakers, designed the shoe before the Jordan X (10) had even been released, and Michael was already retired for the first time and playing baseball.
As many sneaker enthusiasts know, the Jordan X was the only Air Jordan sneaker Michael never played in; whereas the XI marked his return to the league in a big way.
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Like any other project, the final version does not come right away. There are many sketches and redefining tweaks that went into coming up with the finished product.
Sketches of the now iconic Jordan XI shoe are in the gallery above!
