A solid comeback: Will Smith x Air Jordan
In a year that sees Jordan Brand spending plenty of time re-imagining classic models, we get the Will Smith x Air Jordan 5 Retro NRG. Now, of course, it’s worth noting that this edition of the Air Jordan 5 isn’t entirely a new line of thinking. First and foremost, most of us will notice the colorway is quite familiar.
This “Grape” iteration is one of the most recognizable and hotly pursued editions of the Air Jordan 5. In more general terms, it’s also among the preferred aesthetics of Jordan heads everywhere. And yet, there are some shifts in terms of the OG model’s design.
The Air Jordan 5 here takes on an NRG spin, which denotes a sort of amplification of the original construction. The Air Jordan 5 goes without its usual laces and instead opts for a streamlined fit. The resulting visual is a bit jarring but manages to work smoothly.
We even see the lace-eyelets plugged up. This is all intended to be a tribute to how Will Smith wore his favorite Jordans on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The lace-free aesthetic was something of a staple of his both on and off the show’s set.
We also get the inclusion of some clothing here. A pair of hoodies and t-shirts join the Air Jordan 5 NRG release. Both the hoodies and the tees are emblazoned with an image of the younger Will Smith from his Fresh Prince days.
This isn’t the first time Smith affords the use of his name to sell Jordan products. He’s been a fan of the brand from before his days as a TV star, often citing the Air Jordan 5 as his favorite model.