At first, the Dunk was designed as a college basketball trainer released in 12 colours to represent America's premier universities. However, after the success of Jeff Staple's Pigeon Dunk it caused sneakerhead riots and created queues outside NYC skate shop Reed Space.
Now more than ever it can be challenging to find a pair, given limited releases and collaborations with cultural powerhouses such as Off-White and Travis Scott - yet it's not impossible!
The Nike Dunk Pigeon
Nike hired popular skaters at the time to design limited editions of the Dunk and incorporate technical innovations, such as thicker soles intended to absorb impacts during skateboarding. This shoe quickly became an instant classic among the skateboarding community and quickly become an internationally sought-after cult item.
Jeff Staple's Dunk Pigeon truly transformed the Dunk into a cult item in early 2000s streetwear sneakerhead circles. While other shoes at that time modeled their design after iconic NYC landmarks or monuments, Jeff chose more obscure images - pigeons - for his shoe's design.
Staple chose the pigeon as his inspiration on purpose; his shoe was part of a series called the City Pack, released only 150 pairs for sale across New York, Paris, London and Tokyo with 30 being allocated per shop in NYC alone (Reed Space included!). Each pair was also individually numbered making their rarity even more exclusive.
The buzz surrounding the release of Nike Dunk Pigeon was unlike anything ever witnessed before, catapulting sneakers into public consciousness and mainstream culture zeitgeist. Highsnobiety's year-end sneaker report highlighted it as one of the key events that helped democratize sneaker culture while turning passion into global phenomenon fueled by campouts and races for limited editions.
The Nike Dunk High
Nike Dunk has become one of the world's most beloved sneaker styles since it first graced basketball courts more than 30 years ago, thanks to skateboarding and streetwear influences on skateboarding streets and its impact on streetwear culture. Born from basketball courts but further refined through skateboarding, skateboarding, streetwear and streetwear fashion trends - its popularity spans decades and spans both sports and fashion as one of its key components. Now part of global culture with collaborations from prominent figures in art, music and fashion enabling its appeal across boundaries - global appeal indeed!
Nike achieved unprecedented popularity during the late 80s with their release of their 'Be True to Your School' collection - featuring Dunk High Pro B shoes inspired by various college basketball teams - which quickly became a favorite with skaters looking for an alternative look that wasn't so corporate and sleek.
Nike SB collaborations between graffiti artists and other artists soon followed, beginning in 2003 when Leonard Hilton McGurr (Futura) unveiled the inaugural art-infused Dunk featuring his unique hand and character work. Two years later Septic Death frontman/artist Pushead would add macabre flair with his 'Bloody Mary' edition made from 35mm film slide.
These collaborations unleashed global hysteria. Resale markets and camp-out culture proliferated around the globe; regional boutiques opened, as did international sales on consumer websites like eBay; they may have even contributed to an 18-year old boy being killed over his Air Jordans.
The Nike Dunk Low
Nike Dunk sneakers have made a markful and lasting impactful statement about themselves in sneaker culture. From their distinct shape and colors to collaborations with Jeff Staple and Futura, Nike Dunk sneakers have cemented themselves into pop culture as a timeless style icon.
Nike soon realized that skaters favored the Nike Dunk, so they hired skateboarders to design special editions tailored specifically for skateboarding needs. These sneakers included technological innovations designed specifically to protect skateboarders against falls and impacts such as thicker soles with added cushioning; in addition, skaters redesigned its design to make it more comfortable during use.
Although the Nike Dunk Low was once at risk of declining popularity during the early 2010s, it has recently experienced a revival. Thanks to collaborations with designers and artists like Virgil Abloh, Jeff Staple, and Nick Tershay - as well as being supported by rappers and musicians like MF DOOM, De La Soul, and Dinosaur Jr - its popularity is on an upswing once again.
At present, there's not a day that goes by without some headline or another about Nike Dunks sneaker releases or hype surrounding them. From instantaneous sellouts to long queues outside stores, the shoe has become a symbol of cultural and social trends.
The Nike Dunk Mid
Nike Dunks have long been one of the most beloved sneakers on the market, and for good reason. Boasting an extensive history and cultural significance, sneakerheads consider them a must-have staple - offering comfort, durability, and stylishness in equal measures.