Nigel Sylvester’s name continues to make waves in sneakers. After headlines around his Air Jordan 1 Low and his upcoming 2026 Air Jordan 4 “Sail/Cinnabar”, a rare sample of the Air Jordan 4 “Brick By Brick” has now emerged.
This early pair reveals a striking difference from the retail version. Gone is the textured brick leather. In its place, you’ll find a rich matte red nubuck upper that gives the shoe a uniform and minimal look. Even the “Bike Air” heel branding—normally a focal point—blends into the same tonal red backdrop.
According to Jordan Brand designer Frank Cooke, this was part of the design process. “This is process—seeing how materials take color,” he noted, hinting that retail versions were fine-tuned with precision and intent.
While some fans might enjoy the sample’s cleaner layout, most agree the final product better expresses the “Brick By Brick” concept through layered textures and storytelling materials. Still, this Air Jordan 4 Sample gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at how a Jordan collab evolves before launch.
The size 9 sample is currently owned by collector @heat.forya.feet, who is fielding offers. Given the hype around Nigel’s designs and the rarity of Jordan 4 samples, this pair won’t go unnoticed in the sneaker community.
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