We published yesterday an article in which we explained what Quai 54 is, how it was born and what its history is. We told you that it was born in 2003 and since 2006 Jordan Brand is interested in the tournament becoming an official sponsor, giving birth to a real mini collection dedicated to players and fans. Every year since then we have seen some of the best Jordan’s ever made pass by, one after the other.

Every self-respecting sneakerhead or basketball player, as the release approaches, which takes place a couple of weeks before the event, must be able to grab it by force. The main features of each model are the double logo – Quai54 or Jumpman or both – or just the tournament logo, the unique colors and/or the particular and bright textures.

Unfortunately, for ordinary mortals, each release is accompanied by a series of Friends & Family pairs – accessible only to a very small circle that revolves around the organization or important people – which differs from the basic one in color and detail but not in the model.

Here is a list of the most beautiful sneakers, to be politically correct and not to attract protests, in our opinion.

AJF V Wine and Grind (2008) (Europe only)

“Wine” Air Jordan Force 5 Fusion, was produced 170 pairs, which were sale only in the Opium and Collete stores in Paris. The shoes are characterized by the color “Wine” with inserts “Grind”, hence the name, as well as a mixture of fine materials.

Jordan 1 Retro Quai 54 Ruff N Tuff (2009)

The shoe features a laser-blue aged leather upper with black swoosh and laces, and white midsole dotted in black. Other details include contrasting white stitching, a special “Quai 54” label on the tongue and a zebra print lining that repeats instead of under the transparent sole.

Jordan 9 Retro (2011)

White upper in hammered leather with black and green hints and Q54 branding on the heel, which echoed the black midsole and green semi-transparent sole. The sneakers were only on sale from Footlocker Europe and House of Hoops and, in very limited quantities and by extraction, at the Nike store in Harajuku, Japan. A black F&F version was also produced. The Quai 54 logo is repeated throughout the shoe with the Quai logo on the tongue, balaclavas and heel. The upper is iridescent.

Jordan 13 Retro Low (2015)

It has intricate graphics around the midsole that mimic the projects of the Eiffel Tower to give it a bit of French flavor

Nike Air Force 1 High (2015)

It’s part of the same pack as the previous one. The “Quai 54” edition of Nike Air Force 1 High has an all-over printed graphic base that has an iridescent aesthetic effect counterbalanced by an iridescent Nike Swoosh, white midsole and translucent ice sole. The map of Paris is printed on the upper and the sole in black on fabric iridescent and reflective.

Air Foamposite One F&F (2015)

The Quai 54 logo is repeated throughout the shoe with the Quai logo on the tounge, balaclavas and heel. The upper is iridescent.

Jordan 2 Retro (2016)

The sneaker is completed by matching laces, the sole is white and the upper is entirely in ivory leather. The heel, logo and lace system details are in gold. The sole is translucent like almost all releases of the collaboration.

Air Force 1 Low Flyknit (2016)

It has a very elegant design. The soft Flyknit is complemented by black leather profiles. This affects the Swoosh and tongue tab, as well as the overlay of the heel. Unlike other models of the collections, this pair does not opt for a translucent sole. Instead, it keeps the look simple with a fresh shade of white. Finally, the gold mark is stamped on the heel.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG (2017)

Most of the upper of the shoe is in black suede, while the accents “Italy Blue” highlight the left shoe on the ankle, the Quai 54 logo is on the tongue, laces and outsole. The right shoe has University Red inserts and has the same characteristics as its twin. The colour of the logo on the tongue is inverted – red for black/blue, blue for black/red.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG F&F (2017)

The shoe is characterized by an alternation of suede and simple leather uppers that separate the medial and lateral walls of the shoe at the center. The tongue follows the same principle as the sister made for the common mortals.

Air Jordan 3 Quai 54 (2018)

It has a completely black upper, the laces’ eyelets are in green, blue and fluo pink. Finishing details include the elephant print in black on the toe and heel and the outsole is translucent – ice blue – with details of the same color as the eyelets.

Air Jordan 3 Quai 54 F&F (2018)

Same details and features of the sister but with completely white upper.

Air Jordan 8 Retro (2019)

Air Jordan 8 Retro marks the 15th Anniversary of the tournament. Black suede and mesh upper, transparent buckles and ice sole. On the tongue the multicolour logo – green, yellow, blue, white and red – in chenille with embroidered Jumpman. On the ankle and heel are the graphics that represent this year’s tournament.

Jordan 1 Mid Quai54 (2019)

AJ1 Mid with black and white leather base changes the swoosh to smaller one, black and translucent, a patch of shaggy chenille with the Quai 54 logo is sewn onto the tongue. On the collar above the heel are divided the four colors chosen for this year. The left shoe alternates between yellow/green and the right shoe in red/blue.

Text by Elisa Scotti