With the Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 release looming, we thought it would only be fair to give this legendary collaboration the respect it deserves. We look back at some of the previous collabs from this dynamic duo.
Trophy Room is a specialist boutique located in Orlando, Florida founded by Michael Jordan’s son Marcus. MJ’s old trophy room in his Chicago mansion inspired the store’s design. Trophy Room specialises in Jordan product, memorabilia and this legendary collaboration. The duo have delivered some of the greatest silhouettes we have seen from Jordan Brand.
We look back at some of the iconic collaborations between Trophy Room and Jordan Brand and look forward to their upcoming releases.
Trophy Room x Air Jordan 23 (2016)
The first shoe we would see Trophy Room takeover was MJ’s 23rd signature silhouette. The sneaker came in two colourways, white and gold and black and gold. Both pairs released at Trophy Room’s grand opening in Florida. Michael Jordan was even in store for the sneakers dropping, making this a truly special shoe release.
The sneaker design features MJ’s legendary signature across the toe box and uppers. You can find the number 23 in one tongue of the shoe, and the other has Marcus’s longtime jersey number, 5. Gold detailing throughout the design gives the sneaker that trophy aesthetic. A translucent outsole features on both sneakers with the Trophy Room logo on display.
The black and gold silhouette saw 5000 pairs release worldwide which instantly sold out. The white and gold had even fewer, with 523 pairs releasing to coincide with the duo’s jersey numbers. The white and gold silhouette released exclusively at the Trophy Room grand opening. As you can imagine the shoe sold out instantly too.
It was a refreshing take to see Marcus Jordan take over a less popular Jordan sneaker for his initial collaboration. This showed he was interested in educating the masses about Jordan silhouettes rather than just selling out a shoe.
Trophy Room x Air Jordan 16 (2016)
For the duo’s second release, we saw Marcus Jordan put his twist on the Air Jordan 16. Jordan’s 16th signature sneaker originally debuted on MJ’s birthday back in 2001. Trophy Room rejuvenated the silhouette for this release. The AJ16 was the first Jordan sneaker not to be designed by Tinker Hatfield since the AJ3, with Wilson Smith taking the reigns on this one.
The sneaker was once again available exclusively at Marcus’s Disney Springs store, with each pair numbered. The mix of full-grain leather and patent leather gave the sneaker an incredibly premium feel. Whilst the French Blue colourway guaranteed everybody noticed these kicks. Trophy Room borrowed elements from the Air Jordan 5 Retro, Air Jordan 7, and Air Jordan 11 making this a one of a kind Jordan. You can find the Trophy Room branding running down the side of the sneaker, finishing off this design.
Trophy Room x Air Jordan 17 (2017)
The year was 2017, so it made perfect sense for Trophy Room to grab hold of the AJ17 and funk it up in a way only they can. The Air Jordan 17 dropped back when Michael Jordan had retired and was living the dream with his feet up. But as we know, Jordan is a real competitor and in a rogue move returned to the NBA to sign for the Washington Wizards.
The sneaker was as premium as they come, wrapped in buttery suede with gold accents throughout. The grey hue used ensured that the gold popped even more. The upper was intentionally crafted to mimic an Aston Martin’s look, whilst the outsole traction mimicked a golf course landscape. Everything about this shoe screamed Michael Jordan.
This retro was the first time an AJ17 retro had released exclusively at just one store. Marcus was given the reigns in terms of design and distribution for this drop. The sneaker was originally a one of one concept to go with the Michael Jordan exhibition in-store. Fortunately, we saw a release of 4,500 in this exclusive drop. Marcus also created a custom t-shirt to go alongside the sneaker. A collector’s item for anybody following Jordan’s career to the very end.
Trophy Room x Air Jordan 5 (2019)
After two massively successful campaigns with the Jordan 16, 17 and 23, Jordan Brand gave Marcus Jordan the keys to one of its most hyped silhouettes, the AJ5. Trophy Room had earned their stripes with the previous collabs. Therefore, they were given the creative freedom to put that Trophy Room spin on a classic. The limited-edition sneaker came in two unbelievable colourways. One was covered in an ice blue hue, whilst the other came in a Raging Bull bright red.
The beauty lays within the details on this sneaker. We see Marcus Jordan and Michael Jordan’s jersey numbers both feature on the sneaker’s heel. Co-branding can be found throughout. The two MJ’s never had a chance to share the court. Collaborating on a sneaker with this much detail though, is undoubtedly a dream come true for the father and son team. Each pair once again have their edition number stitched inside due to the minimal amount produced.
The Raging Bull Friend & Family version swaps out the usual Jumpman logo on the heel of one shoe for the Nike Air branding, whilst the other features the Trophy Room logo. The Ice Blue version is perhaps my favourite Jordan collaboration of all time. The eye-catching colourway is enhanced expertly by the contrasting red and white accents throughout the design. A cork sole is welcomed to both pairs for the first time. The shoes are also wrapped in plastic with Michael Jordan’s estate gates printed across the bag. A truly unbelievable collaboration between the two Jordan’s and that shows with the resale price. You cannot pick up either pair for less than thousands of dollars, a breakout moment for Marcus and his boutique within the sneaker industry.
Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 (2021)
After a two year hiatus, we finally see Marcus and Michael Jordan reunite on perhaps the most iconic sneaker in history. The Air Jordan 1. The sneaker has drawn inspiration from the OG AJ1 which released way back in 1985. The Chicago inspired colourway features aged detailing throughout to give you the feeling that this shoe was from the 80s. Intentionally yellowed sole units are accompanied by a throwback Jordan patch in the insoles. The translucent outsole has become somewhat of a trademark for Trophy Room collaborations, with red and blue stars visible from the sole. This design aspect ties the sneaker to the NBA All-Star game where the stars are present on the jerseys.
The Chicago’esque uppers come spiced up with white contrast stitching and a shimmering red hue covering the panelling. MJ’s signature also features on the heel of the sneakers, completing this iconic sneakers design.
Trophy Room branding is non-existent throughout the shoe’s design, but make no mistake about it Marcus Jordan’s style and flair can be seen throughout.
With only 12,000 pairs releasing, this sneaker will be a grail for many and instantly thrown into the ‘Sneaker of the Year’ discussion.
So there you have it, a history lesson on every Trophy Room collaboration with Jordan Brand. Marcus has discussed before how he hasn’t had preferential treatment from his dad Michael, with the GOAT shutting down some of his designs and ideas for collaborative projects. However, by MJ doing this we see only the best work come out of the Trophy Room x Jordan banner, and for that, all sneakerheads are forever grateful.
Click here to take a look at Virgil Abloh’s rumoured ‘The 20’ capsule.