We all know that the Nike Dunk is the sneaker of the moment. The silhouette has made a strong comeback and has become a landmark in streetwear, despite the fact that 38 years ago, when they were designed, they were just sneakers for playing basketball.
In this post, we will explain the entire history and evolution of the Dunk (believe me, we have a lot to talk about) to the sneakers you see today.
Beginning of the History of the Nike Dunk
It was in 1985 that the first Nike Dunk went on sale. Its design was the responsibility of Petter Moore, known for another of his creations, the Air Jordan 1 . This could be the reason why there are many similarities between the two models. One of the nicknames given to the Dunk was College Color High , a clear allusion to the university audience.
However, these basketball shoes were not only inspired by the Air Jordan 1, but also by the Terminator , which also had a high top. The first 12 Dunk colors were in the True to Your School collection and were based on college basketball clubs.
Just a few years after the first official launch of the Nike Dunk, they were already having a huge impact on fashion and pop culture. In 1987, they appeared on the cover of the EP by The Mix Crew , a well-known group at the time. They also appeared in Spike Lee 's film School Daze .
The first Nike SB Dunk
After several requests for the return of the Be True To Your School collection, Nike made the decision to re-release the original Nike Dunk models. This reissue featured a special model with the letters “Wu W” embroidered on the heel. These lyrics were a tribute to the album “ Enter The Wu-Tang ” by Wu-Tang Clan , a hip-hop group. However, it was a super exclusive pair, as only 36 pairs were made.
In 2001, the Nike Dunk had its first collaboration with a clothing brand, Stussy . This collaboration was an extremely limited model, only available at select Stussy stores.
As it is increasingly common for skateboarders to wear Dunks, Nike launches the Dunk SB Low.
The first models were available in just four colors and each represented a renowned skater, Richard Mulder, Reese Forbes, Gino Iannucci and Danny Supa.
Nike Dunks today
2012 was a special year, especially because it celebrated the 10th anniversary of the first collaboration between Nike and Supreme. Therefore, the brands came together again to present a new special Dunk model.
In 2020, 35 years had passed since the release of the first dunk. Collaborations with Rihanna, Offset, Travis Scott, Bem & Jerry's and many other brands and artists have made these sneakers one of the most sought after at the moment.
Now that you know all the phases of the Nike Dunk , you can now buy yours. And now that you're a Dunk expert, share your wisdom with your friends so they can stay up to date with the latest news.
See all the Nike Dunks we have available for you, here .
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