Michael Jordan himself was so excited when Hatfield and others presented him with the shoe that he wore them in public earlier than Nike intended cfrh . In another unprecedented move, Jordan exclusively wore the iconic “Concord” colorway during the entire 1995-96 regular season. While other players were switching sneakers every half, Jordan’s unwavering devotion to the Concord cemented it as a truly elite shoe in the eyes of the public. To truly explain the 11’s all-star status, look closely at the fan-favorite shoe’s design.
Constructing the Concord
While the design process of the Air Jordan XI was under way, MJ had retired from basketball to play minor league baseball. The Retro 11 represents Hatfield’s hope to design a basketball shoe that would be so intriguing, luxurious, and performance-driven that MJ wouldn’t be able to resist them when he inevitably returned to basketball.
As with the Retro 6, Hatfield and MJ turned to luxury sports cars for design inspiration, this time to convertibles. MJ had requested a shoe design that could both tear up the court and “be worn with a tuxedo” without looking off. The shoe’s signature shiny patent leather upper wraparound is the 11’s standout feature. The contrast between the shiny leather and the mesh that also makes up the upper represents the “convertible” design idea Hatfield was going for, providing a style clash that allows the shoe to exist in both high and low fashion. The patent leather isn’t just eye-catching either. It’s much lighter than traditional leather, which helped Jordan stay light on his feet on his way to yet another championship.
Avoiding both the technical design of the Retro 4 and the exotic materials of the Retro 3, the Retro 11 forged its own path as a streamlined silhouette that’s deceptively complicated when you stop to look at the details. The 11 is all about contrast and speaks to anyone who finds themselves existing in multiple worlds at once.
Hare Raising
Soon after appearing on MJ’s feet, the Air Jordan XI began permeating all corners of pop culture, continuing to do so for years after its release. Everyone from Lil Wayne, to Will Smith, to LeBron James has worn the iconic shiny shoe. The 11’s most famous appearance, however, was on MJ when he starred alongside the Looney Tunes in Space Jam. The movie was a box office smash, helping to propel the shoe to even greater heights and cementing it as a symbol of Jordan’s pop culture dominance.
Formal Fire
Part of what makes the Retro 11 such a well-loved shoe is its endless versatility. When MJ specifically asked Hatfield to design the shoe so it would look good with a tuxedo, it actually became a trend when the shoe was released. The shiny patent leather adds the perfect amount of luxury to the shoe without making it too formal to wear with anything else. If you’re looking for fits specifically made to match your Retro 11, Jordan has an extensive line of apparel based off its legacy. Dedicated Jordan purists can also pick up other classic models like the 1, 3, 4, and 5 to complete their collection of Jordan’s greatest sneakers.
