This is a catalogue of one man’s obsession. A basketball fan’s loving odyssey of collecting and capturing the evolution of the Air Jordan brand. This madness for Number 23 has fueled a little project called the Sneaker Museum.
A colossal collection that goes far beyond the memorabilia of a world-celebrated athletic superhero, the Sneaker Museum was conceived to both curate a culture behind the Nike Air Jordan brand and celebrate Michael Jordan’s enduring legacy. This project [ or venture] will be part time capsule, part teaching museum for fans of sports, fashion, music, and art. It will be a traveling time warp adventure through the 80’s and 90’s, but will appeal to every generation.
The Museum began with my own self-discovery, courtesy of an athlete, a sport, and a brand. There wasn’t a more powerful feeling than when I first slipped on a pair of new Air Jordans and the sweatsuit. I was Spider Man that day. I was transformed. I could leap higher. It was the beginning of an infatuation with a player and his impact on the world.
I was snakebit by MJ’s pure talent and the coolness of the brand. As Nike Air Jordan’s target suburban consumer, I started recognizing the uniqueness of the Jordans and appreciated the evolution of styles from one year to another. I embraced the “Jordan lifestyle” and intertwined it with my own sense of being as a young adult. I felt I represented the brand well, and it reciprocally represented me. I got to live the Jordan dream personally. As a Celtics season ticket holder, I helped popularize the style around town and in the Boston suburbs. As much as I bled Green (loved the Celtics and Bird), Jordan had his own special place.
Combining the loves of sport , player, and pop-culture collecting, seeing Air Jordans as pieces of artwork seemed only natural. Over a 25-year period, I accumulated an ambitious collection, thanks to a keen eye and great restraint (restraint as in the temptation to wear them, rather than box them). The Sneaker Museum chronologically captures the brand’s evolution, displaying significant changes in form, function, and style over a quarter century. Not restricted to sneakers alone, the collection touches upon all aspects of Jordan, including one of the largest collections of rare, unworn vintage apparel. This collection represents my unrelenting passion—or as I like to call it: sneaker vision.
I have purchased the entire collection piece by piece, released at the time of production, starting in 1985. It was impossible to get everything, so I got as much as I saw. In that bygone era, there were no computers, no cell phones, no eBay, no Internet, so you had to make the physical trip to the kicks store and transact on human terms. (Since that time, I’ve added a few pairs via modern means, but all the originals were acquired in person at production time). I loved the stuff when it came out, and I still get that tingly feeling when I view it today. I’ve managed to keep most of the inventory in mint condition, allowing me to share my bounty with future generations.
I think this pure passion and old-school collecting method are what ultimately separates me from a lot of other collectors out there. When I look back at the scope of this effort now, I’m not sure if someone today would have the time, energy, and financial resources (and ultimately the sneaker vision) to acquire a similar menagerie. The Sneaker Museum is an ode to Sneakerheads everywhere.
A big shout out to those I wish to thank: Phil Knight, the founder of Nike; Michael Jordan, for the privilege of witnessing the unrelenting drive and athletic beatitude that few athletes exhibit today; the Nike designers for making it hip to hoop, by adding color and style to the world of sneakers. I’d also like to thank the following for their support: Karmaloop and Greg Selkoe; the Boston and New Orleans sneaker communities; Jay Gordon and Bodega for inspiration, and Kelli (heart).
This catalogue was conceived as a labor of love by the Electric Purple Chameleon staff of Ed, Margy, and Jason. Without their time, effort, and dedication, this project would not have been possible, so I am truly grateful for their meaningful contribution. I would also like to give thanks to all the friends, family, and supporters who cheered us on to pursue this Sneaker Museum adventure.
Rick Kosow, Chief Chameleon
Electric Purple Chameleon
Electric Purple Chameleon
Dedicated to the memory of my dad, David Rogers, and Will Goldfarb. You were always a positive force my life.
