The Air Jordan XXX has been officially unveiled by Jordan Brand, which is an Air Jordan that’s inspired by unique synthesis of Jordan’s evolution as a player and a design collaborator.

“The next morning I drew a shoe,” Hatfield recalls, “because I knew I was in deep trouble. We had no time. Then I realized it wasn’t good enough to sketch a shoe. I asked for that particular photo of Michael in the slam dunk contest and then I drew.” – Here’s a look at his first sketch of the Air Jordan XXX.

The photo in question, which featured MJ in the open lane, rising to the hoop, ball cocked behind his right ear and legs tucked under his body, activated Hatfield’s memories of 1988. It spurred the designer to add his own illustrations to the familiar image. The resulting artwork, which recapped Jordan’s history in unconventional ways, in turn inspired the shoe.

There are five key components that represent the Air Jordan XXX; Height, Toe, Traction, Material, and Fit.

Height

“We kept marveling at how we were able to keep the dimensions down and make it look slick,” says Hatfield. He also recalls that Jordan’s singular demand was to “make it look fast,” a request augmented by the “XXX” graphic that wraps the heel and extends through the forefoot.

Toe

“Michael has always been very infatuated with the toe-down look of a shoe,” notes Hatfield. A prime example can be seen on the XI, where the patent extends up the vamp so gracefully that its protective properties appear almost as an afterthought.

Traction

The FlightSpeed architecture of the Air Jordan XX9, Hatfield explains, is “probably the best performing Jordan chassis we’d ever done.” Still, Hatfield and Smith didn’t just serve up a new herringbone pattern on the Air Jordan XXX. Instead, they drew a new traction system inspired by the Jordan quote: “Excellence is never second place,” which has been rendered in 3D to serve the needs of pinnacle athletes, like Russell Westbrook.

Material

A proprietary mix defines the upper composition of the Air Jordan XXX, which debuts an exclusive mix of woven, knit and printed materials.

Fit

“We go to great lengths to make sure that when you put on a shoe, your calcaneus, which is the bottom part of the heel or the bony part of the heel, is locked,” says Hatfield. On the Air Jordan XXX, a knit cradle keeps the heel in place and at the same time reduces the amount of glue needed to make the shoe. “We should be gaining wisdom and learning from our mistakes and successes,” confirms Hatfield.

Air Jordan XXX Release Date

Check out the official images below and look for the Air Jordan XXX to release globally on February 12th, 2016 at select Jordan Brand retail stores. The retail price tag is set at $200 USD.

Air Jordan XXX
White/Wolf Grey-Black
811006-101
February 12, 2016
$200

RELATED: Air Jordan Release Dates

UPDATE: Jordan Brand will celebrate their 30th anniversary of the Air Jordan by debuting the Air Jordan XXX tomorrow, February 12th at select Jordan Brand retail stores worldwide, including Nike.com.

UPDATE: Here is a detailed look via Kenlu at the Air Jordan XXX that debuts on February 12th.