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On Friday, Nike released Episode 1 of 5 of the series, “Origins”, delving deep to educate fans about the Dunk’s roots. Originally a Basketball shoe the Dunk found homes in Skateboarding, art, and culture becoming one the most coveted models. This week Nike teased fans worldwide with “The Story of Dunk”, a feature on the SNKRS app.
In 1985, the Swoosh was in a very unique position with all four teams in the NCAA Final Four being Nike schools. The “Be True To Your School” campaign was subsequently born and seen a revitalization this year with the release of many iconic Dunks. Dropping in lows & highs, featured colorways were worn by NBA stars such as Chris Mullin & Patrick Ewing in 1985.
Nike exploded onto the scene when the Dunk released making them a sleeping giant in terms of its recognition. A combination of the Jordan 1, the Legend & the Terminator, it was poised to become the perfect basketball shoe. Coincidentally, the conditions for skating shoes were similar, and considering the expressive color blocking it’s no surprise that it resonated across different cultures.
One of Nike’s most iconic families, the Dunk has surpassed the realms of basketball and has become a cultural icon. Over 35 years they have featured hundreds of iconic colorways that didn’t get the recognition they deserved until recent years. Skateboarding culture grew alongside the Dunk, both hailed for their underground yet highly curated nature.
Episode 2: “Pro B to SB” is next up, so keep checking back in with Nice Kicks for updates on The Story of Dunk & the latest from Nike SNKRS!
