Virgil Abloh Archive Announces Official Release Info For The Air Jordan 1

by thesneakerscroll@gmail.com March 12, 2026

written by thesneakerscroll@gmail.com March 12, 2026

Nearly a decade after redefining sneaker culture with The Ten, the legacy of Virgil Abloh and his groundbreaking partnership with Jordan Brand continues with one of the most anticipated Jordan releases of 2026.

The V.A.A. x Air Jordan 1 High OG has officially been unveiled, marking the first global release drawn from the Virgil Abloh Archive; the archive is a collection of more than 20,000 objects documenting the late designer’s expansive creative practice. More than a commemorative release, the project continues the historic design dialogue between Nike and Abloh that began a decade ago and reshaped the way sneaker collaborations are approached.

For Abloh, the Air Jordan 1 carried deep personal significance. Growing up outside Chicago, he watched Michael Jordan the same way many of his generation viewed superheroes, only the iconic sneaker acted as the GOAT’s “cape.” That connection ultimately sparked Abloh’s dream of becoming a designer and made the Air Jordan 1 the first silhouette he reinterpreted for Nike during the creation of The Ten.

The new V.A.A. edition preserves the visual language that defined Abloh’s design philosophy, including the exposed foam tongue, signature orange tab on the Swoosh, and bold “AIR” text printed across the midsole to highlight the cushioning unit beneath. The approach reflects one of Abloh’s core principles: revealing how objects are constructed rather than concealing their inner workings. Dubbed “Alaska” by fans, this chapter of the Virgil Abloh Air Jordan 1 comes in with an arctic white leather upper, tints of blue on the synthetic panels.

To celebrate the release, the Virgil Abloh Archive will host a series of V.A.A. World’s Fair activations across cities central to Abloh’s life and creative practice, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. The programming builds on the World’s Fair series that debuted in Paris last year, offering exhibitions, artist talks, screenings, and workshops that explore Abloh’s multidisciplinary work across design, graphics, and publishing.

Priced at $230 USD, the Air Jordan 1 High OG x V.A.A. will release throughout March via V.A.A. World’s Fair activations and online through Canary Yellow, the art platform founded by Abloh. A global release is set for April 3rd, so stay tuned for official store list details.

Virgil Abloh Archive Vaa Air Jordan 1 Release Date 6