With the upcoming release of the Air Jordan 4 ‘Seafoam’ we spoke to two Community members, @_jamina and @holliephillips_ on their personal connection with the silhouette.
Jamina: Admittedly, my personal connection with the Air Jordan 4 (AJ4) was a slow burner. My love and preference for the silhouette grew around my late teens as I figured out my personal style. The first encounter I had with a pair I was finally able to purchase was at Offspring Selfridges in 2019. I went sneaker browsing with a friend after Uni and we found the AJ4 ‘Bred’ sitting. They were the last pair in my size – couldn’t believe it! Small sizes were near impossible to find. Of course, I was a broke student, but I refused to leave without them. Still a regular in my rotation and going strong. Well worth it.
“My Jordan 4 collection sits at a humble 7 pairs. I try to keep a habit of re-evaluating the pairs I have and donate or give away pairs I won’t wear to people around me. Will I regret parting with some pairs? Yeh maybe. But it’s better than letting the sole crumble in the box!”
The AJ4 holds a special place in my heart. Buying the ‘Bred’ pair, and just the feeling of finally being able to get paid and buy myself sneakers, snowballed into the collection I have today. Before then, I’d get trainers I wanted on birthdays or special occasions.
Hollie: My first love in the form of a Jordan 4 was the ‘Bred’ colourway. A friend of mine from school had them and as soon as I saw them, I knew I NEEDED a pair. I scoured my local shops for them in my size but unfortunately, I was just too late and didn’t manage to pick up a pair until the 2019 re-release. That particular pair sparked the start of me collecting sneakers and now have 7 beautiful pairs of the 4s.
“They are an everyday shoe, some keeping theirs box fresh, but it’s refreshing to see those who allow theirs to get beat so much the midsole starts cracking. I like the fact that a 4 doesn’t have to be high heat to be considered a collector’s item and seeing the GR’s doing just as well as the raffled pairs.”
The Jordan 4 feels special to me and is still a pair that brings me excitement when I have a pair to pick up. They’re the kind of shoe that you put on and no matter where you wear them, they will be a recognised silhouette and you’ll catch a few envious looks. I think the AJ4 has had the same impression on London culture, they have become a lot more versatile and will see such a variance now in the people wearing them. My Mum has a pair and loves pairing them with a casual dress for when she’s out and about. AJ4’s has almost become the London ‘uniform’ and I don’t think you will ever make it down Oxford Street without ever seeing any on feet.
Jamina: The Jordan 4 silhouette’s impression within London culture is undeniable. Whether you’re walking down Oxford Street, shopping in Westfields, or even on the Tube staring at people’s feet (because God forbid you make eye contact with a stranger) – you’ll see a few Jordan 4s dressed for all sorts of motives. Social media, particularly during the pandemic, completely revolutionised the approach of the modern sneaker community and created a new generation of sneakerheads in their masses.
A recent example of when the Jordan 4 left a distinctive mark on the London fashion and music scene, was when Artist Santan Dave released the song ‘Clash’ where he raps about his success and starts with the lyrics, “Jordan 4s or Jordan 1s”. Shortly after, Dave handed out hundreds of AJ4 White Oreos out of the back of a van to massive crowds in Piccadilly Circus, thanking fans for their support. The AJ4 was already highly sought after, but Dave further bolstered its demand in London with the viral hit song featuring Stormzy, as it was portrayed as a measurement of success.
Retro releases, combined with fresh colourways like the AJ4 White Seafoam, continue to reinforce the popularity of the silhouette to those in the game for years, and the new generation of sneakerheads alike.
“The small hints of green on the shoe give it a nice pop without being overwhelming, which 4’s often does so well. It’s so exciting to see Women’s releases in colourways other than just pink. With the success of the Jordan 1 pair, I look forward to seeing how the 4 holds up when it is set to release on 7th February.”
Jamina: The Seafoam is dropping as a Women’s exclusive, with similar materials and colour-blocking to the OG ‘Fire Red’. I’m hoping the smooth white leather feels as premium as the OG in hand. The Seafoam colour is striking yet neutral, aligning with this winter’s sage green trend. Black accents through the midsole, upper panels and pull tab add the pop of contrast. Some would agree the icing on the cake would have been ‘Nike Air’ on the heel, but it’ll be a staple regardless.
2023 looks like it’s gonna be a great year for the Jordan 4 if the rumoured releases of the ‘Olive Canvas’, Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 ‘Pine Green’, and ‘Cacao Wow’ are true. I’m currently loving the earthy green and brown tones, so I look forward to feeling the materials of these three in hand!
Check out more from Hollie @holliephillips_ and Jamina @_jamina on Instagram.
For further details on the release of the Air Jordan 4 ‘Seafoam’ follow @OffspringHQ
