KATC Feature: Chi McBride x Mark Smith x Nike Air Force 1 Air Jordan III
As Chi McBride alluded to in our [KATC Video Feature: MaZe Sits Down with Chi McBride], he, and Artist/Nike Designer, Mark Smith came together to design and hand-make a pair of 1 of 1 Air Force 1s inside Nike's legendary Innovation Kitchen. Not without deep meaning and symbolism, the Chi McBride x Mark Smith x Nike Air Force 1 Air Jordan IIIs are a tribute to Chi's relationship with Michael Jordan and his deep passion for the Air Jordan III and the Air Force 1. From the heel tab to the eyelets, the Chi McBride x Mark Smith x Nike Air Force 1 Air Jordan IIIs embody a personal story that Chi shares with the world through this one of a kind piece of sneaker history.
More After the Jump
After designing the "Fukijama" Nike Air Force 1s for HBO's Entourage, Mark Smith felt that he would never work on another pair of Air Force 1s. After realizing Chi McBride's authentic passion for kicks, Smith emailed Chi McBride to tell him that he understood Chi's deep love for sneakers and the Air Force 1, understanding that Chi's passion for kix extended beyond "looking fresh". Due to this intense passion, Smith invited Chi to co-design and co-hand-make a 1 0f 1 Air Force 1 in Nike's Innovation Kitchen. Realizing the amazing opportunity before him, Chi told Smith that he wished to create an Air Force 1 that symbolized his relationship with Michael Jordan that combined his love for the Air Jordan III, Chi's favorite sneaker of all time. The product of an 8 hour process, Smith and Chi created, by hand, the Chi McBride x Mark Smith x Nike Air Force 1 Air Jordan III.
To create the Chi McBride x Mark Smith x Nike Air Force 1 Air Jordan IIIs, Mark Smith lasered an Elephant Print pattern onto a large piece of leather which Chi hand dyed with shoe polish and a tooth brush. Once the Elephant print was complete, Smith and Chi incorporated the same leather found on the upper of the Jordan III, onto the AF1s toe box and side panel.
To complete the Air Jordan III look, Smith and Chi incorporated the Black/Cement IIIs trademark three Red eyelets, Grey Tongue, and Black Cotton laces.
To extend the sneaker beyond the look of the Jordan III and into the relationship between Chi and Michael Jordan, Smith and Chi incorporated various Chi/MJ symbols including, the words "YOU&SEE" (UNC) in University Blue Patent on the left heel tab and a lasered illustration of a glowing Church on a hill (Chapel Hill) that reads Chi, in University Blue Patent on the right heel tab. To add a bit of flare to the sneakers, Chi and Smith utilized a Black Patent Swoosh with Red contrast stitching.
In addition to the exterior symbolism, Chi and Smith incorporated a varsity font number print lining that contains the years of the Bulls Championships (91,92,93,96,97,98) and Chi's Birthday (9/23).
To complete the package and place Chi's personal touch onto the sneaker, Smith laserd Chi's signature onto a piece of Red Patent leather and placed it on the tongue tab of the right foot.
After creating the sneaker, Chi also helped design the matching Jordan III Leather racing jacket pictured above and worn in the [KATC Video Feature: MaZe Sits Down with Chi McBride]. With his passion for sneakers and keen sense of design, this may not be the last creation that we see from Chi McBride.
All Images: [Fubz] for KixandtheCity.com
Share on FacebookRelated Articles on KATC
- Old Meets New Chi McBride x Nike Vintage Cortez 360
- KATC Video Feature: MaZe Sits Down with Chi McBride
- Nike Air Force 1 "Mark Smith Hyperstrike"
- Philly 1VOTE Officially Closed Mark Smith Laser Nike Air Force 1 Takes the Crown
- KATC Feature: MaZe Sits Down with Chi McBride
jasmine says:
they fresh. but whats uop wit da blue.
Wildes says:
Whoa. Good work Maze.
Gerard says:
Freshness, it pays off to be well connected!
Dave says:
absolutely insane. the matching coat smashes the ish outta the whole thing. Insane.
righteousKUNGfu says:
sick
T Turner says:
That is too Fresh...Ahh man
gbaby10387 says:
man i hate af1 but those are so SICK!
LUIS says:
those hotttttt got to get me one those u alredi know!!!!
1
yes says:
NIKE step it up, these are mega–trash.
jabare ousley says:
ok
dunksandtees says:
chi is now my favorite actor ever even though i haver repped him hard since boston public and his performance in iRObot should have got him an oscar
air philippines says:
those are nice. just wish we shoe lovers in the p.i. could get opportunities like that. oh well...
Drack Muse says:
This dude does not play fair!
Crazzzzeee!!!
DEVILb0y says:
that is whack...
air force huan says:
at last some fresh air in the AF1 desings...they looks really cool, maybe we saw these kind of details in "Jordunks" but now the mixed is quite much nice, much better if i imagine wearing them...really thanks to Mark Smith for this...please anyone knows where and when is going to be relased???
lilgotti45 says:
omg those r str8 fire i love them....
ThaCoach000 says:
those is da hardest AF1's ive eva seen. Dam i dont know what i would do ta get those..
Kix-Fix says:
Those joints are crazy ... I need to get my connect game up!
jge3_5 says:
BEST AF1 EVER!!!!
Hope they relase these to the public
Chezy Chez says:
yo these is one of the best af1 ever definately a collectors sneaker got to have these Crakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
SBjayb says:
What dont you guys understand, that AF1 is a 1 of 1. It aint coming out. You got a better chance of becoming an actor and hooking up with nike yourself. The concept is cool tho, he killed it with the jacket.
J.WEST says:
Those are dumb stupid!!! The concept is dope as hell!!!
af1harlemwearer says:
to yeS nike Aint make Them CHi Mcbride and Mark Smith Customized them if u read the Article u will Kno
elmerito says:
the socks are fire..............
Quan says:
Ayo Yes and Devilboy...you guys are trash and can get the bozack. Corny ***! Those joints are hardbody! Great work Maze and shout out to Chi and Mark...best joints in a long time!CRACK!!! Oh yeah, elmerito...you are a clown..lol
AIRE NACO JR says:
not feeling the whole black thing
elmerito says:
i met chi at flight club the other day and he had some harder AF1 that look 1 of 1 too because it was in a wooden box; plus i've never seen them before in my life..... he was a real cool dude
FRESH DIRECT says:
THESE R HOT!BUT I WONT COP THESE(THE CREASE IZ GOIN 2 B UGLY)..LOL
justforkickz says:
those are sick, i wish they would be released to the public!
KICKZyes says:
Jasmine, it's the same color as UNC's colors, read, DUH! Yes, you're an idiot... those are customs. LOL @ "Nike step it up." Shut your *** up... and DEVILboy, you're an idiot too who can't appreciate a nice custom job like such. I bet custom to you would a Spongebob airbrush or something. CORNS.
FRESH DIRECT says:
LOL!!!I FEEL U KICKyes,she's pretty dumb.
mark smith says:
glad u all liked the chi's...
i was there when HE designed them
from scratch. i watched as he picked
materials and colors. chi is a true
gentleman and had a wonderful
connection to mr jordan. i was happy
to facilitate chi's vision. the entourage
turtle af1's were my last af1's.
these are all chi.
keep the love
dig
Feets Malone says:
Okay MaZe! You truly have come into your own with this one!!! Not only did this cause Mr. Smith himself to comment but you also shed a little light and a lot of love on a dude and his passion that very few people get to see! Congrats!!! There's no turning back now. You have truly just redefined your destiny!!!!
Truth
Passion
&
Love...
Your site embodies all! Keep it up!! Your more than just a small part of the whole scheme....
sneaker zeek says:
NIIIIIIICEEEEEEE
thatoneguy says:
....im speech less PLEASE COME OUT!!! PLEASE!!!! PLEASE!!! we need some sick shoes these latest jordans have been killin us the AF1 looks better then most releses...real talk..
yobaj337 says:
f*ckin sick with it....what a collab
KampoutKid says:
if anything it would be a hyperstrike..the decsription alone sounds like it would take too long
Juan Two Three says:
I SAW CHI UNVEIL THESE AT UNDFTD! i was standing right next to him..these shoes are off the chain..i swear