Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White University Blue
The Jordan 1 Retro High “Off-White University Blue” is one of the most influential and concept-driven sneakers in modern history—a deconstructed reinterpretation of the iconic Air Jordan 1 created by Virgil Abloh in collaboration with Nike and Off-White.
Released in 2018 as part of the second wave of “The Ten” collection, this colorway features a striking University Blue and white leather upper, inspired by Michael Jordan’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina. The soft blue tones are contrasted with exposed foam construction, stitched panels, and an intentionally unfinished aesthetic that defines Virgil Abloh’s design language.
Signature Off-White elements appear throughout the sneaker, including the zip-tie tag, quoted text branding, and Helvetica-style labeling on the medial side that reads “AIR” and “AIR JORDAN 1.” The deconstructed Swoosh, visible stitching, and layered construction emphasize the idea of taking a classic silhouette and reconstructing it into something modern and conceptual.
The shoe also features subtle storytelling details, such as the orange tab on the Swoosh and printed text referencing the model’s design origins, reinforcing its place within the larger Off-White x Nike collaboration narrative.
Highly limited and released through exclusive channels, the Off-White Jordan 1 “University Blue” quickly became a grail-level sneaker, celebrated for its cultural impact, design innovation, and connection to one of the most important collaborations in sneaker history.
