A quarter of a century after the invention of the slam-dunk Nike was barely 10 years old, and basketball’s popularity was growing. It was the year 1985. It will be remembered as one of those significant year to Nike Basketball as it marks the year in which the Nike Dunk was born.
The idea was born out of the hustle of young designers The Nike Dunk basketball shoe was inspired by the latest in performance technology which naturally translated into street fashion. The Nike Dunk replica design reinforced Nike’s basketball focus and further emphasized its dedication to making products that help athletes be more efficient.
A spirited basketball culture since 1985
The world was united in”we are the world “we all are one” music anthem, and moviegoers stepped back to the past the basketball game took off in the year 1985. The worlds of entertainment, music advertising, sports and music were coming together, and Nike was the catalyst.
Basketball was the hottest sport and sneakers were now popular off the court even making it into the fashion industry. The Nike Dunk’s first release in 1985 featuring a different design from its bigger sister that was the Air Force 1 which was released three years before, displayed designs with striking colors and block-colored patterns. The shoes came out at the right moment, and energized the basketball community in new ways.
The original sketch was drawn by the designer Peter Moore and called the College Color High, the Nike Dunk was an artistic mix-up of several footwear, which was a standard style of design at Nike for the ’80s basketball shoes.
The Dunk’s outsole was similar to the design of traction that was featured on Nike’s Air Jordan I, which was released just a few months prior to. The upper of the Dunk was influenced in the direction of Air Jordan I and the Nike Terminator; interestingly, the three sneakers were designed by the same minds. The Dunk was named from the first shoe which it was developed–the same final used to create Nike Legend. Nike Legend, considered the most appropriate basketball last in the era of the Dunk.
Bring Sole by ‘Be True Yourself to Your School’
The 1980s were a time when basketball in college reached new levels in an array of fans and athletes. From east to west , rivalries were fierce and networks introduced college basketball to the mass of viewers.
In the summer of 1985, Nike delivered footwear in the colors of the popular school basketball teams, allowing fans to cheer on their team from toe to head. In 1985, the Nike College Colors program was officially launched. The slogan for advertising “Be true to Your School’ emerged and was centered around 12 schools.
The memorable “Be true to Your School’ print ad showcases Nike’s Nike Dunk as the centerpiece of Nike’s College Colors program, the first campaign to feature bright color on sneakers for basketball.
College Colors teams comprised of UNLV, Arizona, Iowa, Georgia, Syracuse, Georgetown and Kentucky. It was launched in August as part of an 1985 basketball tournament that included uniformly colored footwear, clothing and bags.
Slam Dunk for Skaters and Sneakerheads
The Dunk’s popularity spread far beyond basketball culture , when the skateboarder community naturally adopted the look, creating it into an icon of skateboarding.
The Dunk was characterized as having a low profile midsole , and for the same features which made them a forward-thinking basketball shoe that provided the lateral support, cushioning, and a special traction that allowed pivoting, the Dunk helped the skate world also. To provide comfort and versatility, Nike Dunks introduced between 1998 and 2000 had the tongue made of nylon, which also attracted skateboarders because of their versatility and movability for skate.
The autopsy for this Nike Dunk Pro SB
A specific design for skates that was dubbed the Nike Dunk SB, was later introduced in 2002. The SB models were further modified to accommodate the demands of skateboarding. They also included particular padding and traction features.
Nike Dunk SB shoes have become popular among skaters and sneakerheads from Europe, Asia and the US and are available in exclusive collaborations.
A Legacy of the Dunk
It is the Nike Dunk, established 30 years ago, has spanned the years, crossed fashion and sports, and is now well-known for its athleticism and street fashion.