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Introducing the Nike Dunk
Nike released the Dunk High in 1985 as a high-top basketball sneaker that combined four previous Nike models - the AJ1, the AF1, the Terminator and the Legend. Peter Moore, the former Creative Director, sketched the Nike Dunk first.
As the Air Force 1 inspired the look of this model, the outsole had the same traction, while the upper was a mix of the Air Jordan 1 and the Terminator, and the Legend was used to make the moulds.
With its simple, yet incredibly versatile design and colour-blocking style, the Nike Dunk is one of the most popular Nike sneaker models of all time. In the past few years, the silhouette has evolved from a college basketball sneaker to a staple of streetwear.
Although Moore originally called the model the 'College Colour High', he changed his mind as the 40th anniversary of the first slam dunk coincided with the release of the model, and he named it the 'Nike Dunk' in honor of the occasion. While the Nike Dunk was made for basketball and designed to enable pivoting and blocking, its first marketing campaign, 'Be True To Your School,' actually made the model more famous.
Early in the 1990s, the Dunk had fallen out of favor, which meant it could be purchased for very little money. The Dunk was lovingly adopted by skateboarders because of the subtle updates Nike made to the model, such as the new nylon tongue, making the sneaker more comfortable and lighter, and the fact that it was durable, easy to style, and available in many different colours.
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Did you know?
Nike made a smart decision with the 'Be True to Your School' series; it became a defining trademark for the Nike Dunk.
With each Dunk colourway focusing on the colours of a specific team, first division college basketball teams and their fans could wear their team's colors.
Among the university basketball teams wearing the Dunk High were Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, St. John's, Syracuse, UNLV, and Georgetown.
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Popular Nike Dunk Colorways
Chicago Split
Most people are familiar with the Chicago colorway of the Air Jordan 1. Other silhouettes, including this Dunk Low, also featured the colorway. In addition to the original colorway, the Nike Dunk Low 'Chicago Split' features split details, as suggested by the name.
Photon Dust
Today's pop culture is dominated by the Dunk Low. With the WMNS 'Photon Dust' colorway, Nike plays on this well by creating neutral everyday wear colorways. Two years after its release in summer 2021, the silhouette is still a fine summer sneaker.
Sesame
2022 saw the release of a tasty Dunk Low inspired by the humble bagel. Coming in a bread-like shade of brown, the overlays feature a sesame seed pattern as a nod to its inspiration, and the 'Sesame' Dunk Low also gets treated to a deep blue Swoosh.
White - Plaid Pack
The patterned element on this sneaker creates an eye-catching signature look on the Nike Dunk Low 'White' Plaid, adding a colourful boost to any outfit.
Red Swoosh
A spicier take on the 'Panda' colorway, the 'Red Swoosh' adds an extra signature edge on this Nike Dunk model.
Just Do It
The 'Just Do It' is a WMNS exclusive that makes use of several gold accents on its premium detailed leather. The gold dubrae is the crowning touch on this Dunk.
Mini Swoosh
Once again another alternative to the 'Panda' Dunk, this sneaker uses black overlays on a grey base with the small detail of an orange Swoosh.
Popular collabs
Although the hype around the model waned, there was a massive revival of the Nike Dunk on its 35th anniversary in 2020.
Collabs with Virgil Abloh's Off-White brand and Travis Scott did much to bring the silhouette back on the scene.
It is now again highly sought after by sneaker fans and fashion fans alike.
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