Mercedes Created Custom Air Jordan Sneakers With Artist Elijah Rutland

utorak , 01.03.2022.

Mercedes-Benz dipped its toe into the streetwear game in 2021. The automaker partnered with skateboard company Palace on a line of AMG Black Series-inspired shirts, as well as clothing designer Heron Preston for airbag-inspired merch – that's right, airbags. Maybach even released a concept car created by late fashion and sneaker designer Virgil Abloh.

Now Mercedes has teamed up with sneaker customizer and artist Elijah Rutland – who goes by the online pseudonym Fix My Sole – for a pair of custom Nike Jordan Air 1s that any Merc owner would love to have. The one-of-a-kind sneakers feature a white Mercedes-Benz star logo stamped on the toebox, with airbrushed silver and black accents to match the company's signature colors.

Mercedes posted two videos to its social media channels showing Rutland hard at work on the project.

"I got a call a couple of weeks ago from Mercedes-Benz, and they told me they had a custom shoe project and they told me they want a be a part of it,” Rutland said in one of the videos posted to the Mercedes-Benz USA Instagram page. “I always think of Mercedes-Benz as like the classic luxury car, so I really wanted to capture the essence and the aesthetic of specific cars like the C-Class and A-Class…."

It should be noted that this is not an official collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and the Jordan brand – so you won't be able to buy these in stores. Although the brands have never officially collaborated on a sneaker project, there have been two Jordan 1 models in the past that paid homage to Mercedes; the Air Jordan 1 "All Star 2021" – debuting in both mid- and low-top designs – featured faux carbon fiber paneling and a circular Jumpman logo on the tongue.

Partially Camouflaged Pouches Adorn The Air Jordan 1 Hi SP Utility

Whenever Nike or Jordan Brand slaps “Utility” on a shoe, they often pair it with zippers, straps, lug soles, and pouches. This is evident across pairs like the Air Trainer 1 as well as Travis Scott’s take on the Air Jordan 6, the latter of which leaned more heavily into the militaristic realm. This newly surfaced Air Jordan 1 Hi SP Utility, however, is a stark departure from the norm, as it attempts to camouflage it’s own compartments.

To keep the silhouette more familiar, the Jumpman is mimicking the beloved “Shadow” colorway, albeit with darker greys and a satin-like finish. The latter’s sheen is thanks to the full nylon construction, which provides the upper a degree of weather resistance. And to ensure water doesn’t seep inside, the toe’s perforations aren’t fully pressed in, only done to better emulate the original AJ1. Most notably, a pouch is added to the mid-panel, though one wouldn’t instantly notice if not for the Infrared tabs, as the pocket itself is masked underneath Swooshes and dark black shades.

For a closer look at the upcoming Air Jordan 1 Hi SP Utility, check out the leaked imagery below. Info on the release date, official images, and pricing should surface very soon.