NIKE DUNK LOW: A SILHOUETTE THROUGHOUT THE ERA

THE BASIS OF URBAN CULTURE

At the dawn of the 1980s, Nike , barely ten years old, saw the popularity of basketball skyrocket. The year 1985 remains a pivotal period for Nike Basketball , marking the iconic birth of the Nike Dunk . Conceived by a team of innovative designers, the Nike Dunk basketball shoe embodied performance-driven innovation that naturally translated into urban style. Initiated by designer Peter Moore and originally dubbed the College Color High , the Dunk was an artistic mash-up of various designs, a common practice for Nike basketball sneakers in the 1980s. The 1985 silhouette notably drew inspiration from its big brother, the Nike Air Force 1 , born three years earlier.

THE NIKE DUNK LOW AND ITS DARING COLLABORATIONS

Beyond its role in shaping street culture, the Dunk Low also owes its success to innovative collaborations. The iconic 2019 collaboration with Off-White , featuring three structured leather versions in Michigan , University Red , and Pine Green , paved the way for unprecedented partnerships, including one with American ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's . The Nike SB Dunk Low Ben & Jerry's Chunky Dunky, unveiled in May 2020 , generated growing excitement with its sought-after materials, meticulous details, and Ben & Jerry's-inspired design. A special edition with ice cream tub packaging was also unveiled.

Among the many collaborations, Comme Des Garçons stood out in May 2020 with two understated and trendy interpretations of the Dunk Low. These diverse partnerships propelled the Dunk Low to the forefront, offering a multitude of colorways and variations, synonymous with its growing success.

NIKE DUNK LOW FOR WOMEN AND MEN: STILL TRENDY

The model has been a major player in the sneaker scene for several decades. In 2022 , Nike is clearly stating its intention to make this year a landmark season for the silhouette, as evidenced by the multiple iterations of the Nike Dunk High. The collaboration with Off-White in December 2019 on three versions of the Dunk Low rekindled interest in the model, creating a new craze. Nike responded by imagining four variations inspired by the Nike Dunk High " Be True To Your School " pack, originally released in 1985, thus returning to the basics and the sporty/retro aspect of the silhouette. The Kentucky , Syracuse , St John's, Brazil and Champ Colors colorways were thus revealed, affirming the timeless versatility of the Dunk Low for both men and women.