The new collection celebrates family, inclusivity, and Black excellence with ready-to-wear pieces that fit on the court and in the gallery.
The new collection celebrates family, inclusivity, and Black excellence with ready-to-wear pieces that fit on the court and in the gallery.
Jordan Brand is looking to artist Nina Chanel Abney to bring contemporary art to the world of basketball for a new collection. Growing up in Chicago, Chanel Abney had a deep love of the sport. From collecting basketball cards to witnessing Michael Jordan and the Bulls win championships, Chanel Abney brings her childhood connection to basketball full circle.
Chanel Abney brings her love of basketball from the courts to clothing for her capsule collection. He revived a series of old basketball courts in New York and North Carolina and he now uses his talents to create clothing that shows love for the community. Producing eleven genderless pieces, Chanel Abney showed how art and creativity fit into the field of basketball. Using the new capsule collection as her canvas, she intends to comment on the themes of community, queerness, and Black excellence.
“No one understands the power, relevance, and reach of basketball culture better than Nina Chanel Abney, because she is a living symbol of its heritage. This collaboration is as much about the design of an idea as it is about the product, ”said Andrea Perez, Jordan Brand Women’s GM.
Important moments from Jordan’s career, such as his first championship with the Bulls, can be seen in the collection’s graphics. This collection of milestones showcases Jordan’s drive to be the best and its impact on Black history and culture. To fully bring the collection full circle, Chanel Abney and Jordan Brand have created a new silhouette of Jordan 2. Coming in both high and low styles, the new shoes are the perfect intersection of both parties.
“When AJ2 came out in 86/87, it was ahead of its time – to make a basketball shoe that was also luxurious and made with the highest level of craft. The shoe was an intersection of different things – just like Nina and in her background. This collaboration is a rare occurrence of bringing together the different worlds of Nina and the Jordan Brand to create something refreshing and new, “said Air Jordan 2 x Nina Chanel Abney of -shoe design, JP Managa.
For the imagery of the campaign, photographer Shaniqwa Jarvis captured Chanel Abney’s goal of creating a different future. As a black and queer artist, Chanel Abney uses her art to create a safe space for everyone. In the campaign images, Chanel Abney posed with her chosen family to showcase the collection. Khari Ricks, JiaJia Fei, Soull Ogun, and Jannah Handy became part of the Jumpman family, and showed what it means to be eternal and aspirational.
Jordan Brand and Chanel Abney will continue their partnership at the WNBA All-Star weekend. Chanel Abney will host a workshop and mural painting event with Little Black Pearl, a non-profit and cultural art center based in Chicago.
The Chanel Abney x Jordan Brand collection is now available on the SNKRS app and at select global retailers.
