#shegotgame - Is that (Red) Velvet? Styling the new Air Jordan XI Heiress Collection Sneakers
When you're a small shoe size and a moderate sneaker collector, it's not always to find rare or limited footwear. Often, the dopest pieces aren't even in available in "midget" sizes. I'm a size 4 or 4.5 grade school (GS) which is equivalent to a 5.5 or 6 women's shoe. It might not sound that small, but often the coolest colorways are limited to men's, which many of us in the baby feet community cannot fit into - we're relegated to "shrink and pink" models and often, poorer quality materials.
In late 2014, Jordan Brand announced that they would be doing extended sizing, making GS pairs available to a bigger market, extending the special grade school colorways up to size 11 (or men's 9.5). Then in spring 2016, the Heiress Collection was introduced which features select female specific Jordan models made up in premium materials and exclusive makeups, some that are even turning the heads of male customers who finally know what it feels like to want a shoe that just doesn't come in their size! This has meant that we're finally getting better quality sneakers in small sizes.
One of the shoes that's building that hype is the Air Jordan XI "Night Maroon" or "Red Velvet" colorway done up in, of course, velvet. I was lucky to have one of the first pairs seeded out. Unfortunately, it's been raining since I received the pair so my photographer Simone and I had to improvise with a little hotel room photoshoot to ensure that we kept the shoes safe and got some on-foot looks.
The sneaker is a much higher quality than I'm used to being offered in a grade school size. The velvet is soft to the touch and has sheen without being too shiny or cheap feeling. The rest of the upper is a soft suede-type material, the midsole is white and the outsole is an icy burgundy while the carbon fibre potion is a burgundy and black. The gold details really pop on the maroon color. The gold stitching is on the heel tab and tongue and there are shiny gold lace tips along with a metal Jumpman instead of a stitched one on the upper. All these luxe elements adds up to a higher price tag - $220 USD.
Personally, I really like the shoes. I tend to stick to the Jordan III, I and XII silhouettes as the Xis can be tough to style due to the cut of the shoe. Thankfully I already own a burgundy velvet jacket that just happens to match perfectly with the shoes...along with my maroon hair and lipstick. Can you tell what my favorite color is? Will you be picking up the shoes for yourself or someone else and are they worth the $220? Let me know.
- Shoe: Air Jordan 11 Retro GG “Heiress”
- Colorway: Night Maroon/Metallic Gold-Night Maroon
- Style #: 852625-650
- Release Date: December 17, 2016
- Sizes: 3.5-9.5 Grade School (GS) = Size 5-11 Women's
- Price: $220
- Photographer: Simone Hamilton.
- Jacket: Oak and Fort
- Dress: Alexander Wang
- Tights: Pretty Polly
- Rings: Maison Margiela and H&M
- Shoes courtesy of Jordan Brand PR.
- Shot on location at the Dazzler Hotel Brooklyn.
#shegotexclusive - Jordan Brand "Flu Game" Pop Up Images
Nineteen years ago, Michael Jordan further etched himself into basketball lore in game five of the 1997 NBA Finals. His airness put the Bulls on his back scoring thirty eight points, despite being overcome with the flu. The Bulls beat the Jazz in Salt Lake City, putting MJ's team up 3-2. The shoes he was wearing, the Jordan XII in black and varsity red, became known as the "flu games".
Fast forward to today, as Jordan Brand opens their pop-up store in celebration of the historic game. The shop is selling both a retro release of the original "flu games" and the new "gym red" XIIs. Much like similar Jordan Brand pop-ups during All-Star in Toronto and Brooklyn, the shop will feature plenty of customization options for Jordan apparel and a special pin available only in SLC. As a sneaker nerd, basketball fan and XII lover, I'm a fan of the concept and wish I could check it out myself. Instead I'll bring you the next best thing.
Jordan Brand exclusive "Flu Game" pin - available only at the pop up shop
As a member of the Jordan Brand Flight Crew, I was granted early exclusive access to the images from the shop in Utah. See below for the official images and press release. Are you checking out the pop shop this weekend? Let me know!
JORDAN BRAND TO OPEN POP-UP STORE IN SALT LAKE CITY TO CELEBRATE MICHAEL JORDAN’S MEMORABLE PLAYOFF PERFORMANCE
Store To Feature Unique Consumer Experiences to Commemorate Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals
WHAT: On June 11, 1997 in Salt Lake City, Michael Jordan battled through and delivered an incredible 38-point performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. This Saturday at 2:30PM, Jordan Brand will celebrate the anniversary of MJ’s ability to overcome obstacles in pursuit of the ultimate goal with a pop-up store in Salt Lake City.
This unique consumer experience will feature customization, Jordan Brand product storytelling, a re-broadcast of the 1997 game, local artists, food and performances. Utah basketball and sneaker fans can check out exclusive products like the Air Jordan XII Retro ‘Black/Varsity Red’, the reissue of the shoe MJ wore 19 years ago, as well as a pre-release of the new Air Jordan XII ‘Gym Red’.
On June 11, Jordan Brand encourages fans everywhere to wear their Air Jordan XII Retro ‘Black/Varsity Red’ and share the obstacles they’ve had to conquer with #GreatnessOvercomes.
WHERE: 160 E 200 S Salt Lake City, UT 84111
#shegotfit: Images of the Jordan Brand Reveal from the Heiress Collection for espnW's We Tried It
In this week's edition of my espnW column "We Tried It", I test out the new lifestyle sneaker from Jordan Brand, the Reveal. The Reveal is part of the Heiress collection, the first grade school extended sizing made especially for women and girls. Since the article only has room for a few images, check out a few more below. The full Heiress collection, which includes a Jordan ! sneaker, a Jordan X, the Jordan Jasmine, along with the Reveal, drops on May 1st. Have you tried out any pieces from the collection yet? Check out my review and let me know what you think.
Photography: Katherine Roy
Hair cut and styling: Alannah at Dat Salon Toronto
Full outfit details:
Jordan Brand Reveal Heiress collection sneaker: courtesy of Jordan Brand
Leggings: Nike Women
Sports Bra: Lululemon
Black mesh swim cover-up: Nike
Socks: Stance
Sunglasses: Celine
shegotgame: New Jordan Brand Boxes for 2015
As you may have heard, Jordan Brand is getting back to the basics with a high end twist for 2015. The Brand is releasing some of their most infamous retro silhouettes remastered in premium materials, like the good ole days. Since the new, more luxurious sneakers are going to be dropping soon, Jordan Brand couldn't have the shoes come out in just any old boxes so they're upgraded their boxes. In keeping with the black, gold and white theme Jordan Brand has been playing with for the last few years - and used in their new Flight23 stores. The redesigned boxes are black with gold embossed Jumpman and "23" insignia on the exterior. The interior features natural cardboard with white tissue paper that is marked with the number twenty-three. The brand new boxes arrive beginning in 2015 and will be used for both retro and new performance releases. No word yet if the GS release will get the black boxes as well. What do you think of the new Jordan boxes and creative direction? Is it fitting with the new premium image and price tag or is it just more hype? Let me know what you think.
@shegotgame Sneak Peek: The New JORDAN HANGAR
Leave it to Jordan Brand to constantly be one upping itself when it comes to the branded experience. The latest Jordan basketball experience is Jordan Hangar, unveiling later today in Los Angeles. But I managed to get my hands on the exclusive photos from the new basketball space and from the renderings, it looks sleek and industrial - much like the architecture in LA as well as the XX9 sneaker. Jordan Brand has made the most out of their Terminal 23 space in New York hosting games, events and fashion presentations since it launched last year so it makes sense for them to open something similar out west. What do you think of the new space? And more importantly - who got next?
