After much muted hype and extreme anticipation, Nike have officially launched the Jordan Brand x Paris Saint-Germain collection. After a series of product teases through the likes of Justin Timberlake and Travis Scott, the collection now hits Paris with full Jumpman flight.
In the last few years, Jordan Brand has been a growing presence in Paris. A Jordan-only store — Jordan Bastille — opened in 2016, and in 2017 the brand announced a partnership with the French Basketball Federation. These examples buttress a long-standing, organic relationship between brand and city, which began with Michael Jordan’s first visit in 1985. That connection has been retained through the decades, highlighted by continued support of the Quai 54 World Streetball Championship.
All of which make today’s announcement — Jordan Brand will have its first collection with a football club, Paris Saint-Germain — feel entirely appropriate. “Jordan Brand and Paris Saint-Germain share a distinct position in sport and style, so to partner with the club is a natural fit,” says Michael Jordan.
Jordan’s thoughts are echoed by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi who notes, “The partnership between Paris Saint-Germain and Jordan Brand reflects the ambition of both brands to combine style, performance and innovation. We share many values with Jordan Brand, which is known worldwide for its sporting heritage and exciting contemporary designs. We believe it is a partnership which will excite our fans, help us to reach new audiences and enhance our global reach.”
I can’t wait to see PSG and my guy Neymar rocking the Jumpman. Every time I visit Paris, I feel like there’s more energy for Jordan in the city. Putting the Jumpman on PSG is going to take it to another level” — NBA All-Star and Jordan Brand Family Member Jimmy Butler.
Parisians also carry a unique affection for the brand. “In the United States, if you hear Jordan you probably think it’s a basketball or hip-hop event. No, in Paris right away ‘it’s Jordan’ — it’s not just for basketball players or the hip-hop community,” says Laurent Nicolas Bourgeois, one half of the acclaimed dance group, Les Twins, along with twin brother Larry Nicolas. “We are one of the biggest fans of Jordan in the world. We are super fans.”
Fittingly, the Jordan Brand x Paris Saint-Germain collection delivers holistic performance and lifestyle offerings, including two special edition match kits — which the club will wear exclusively in the Champions League — footwear, including a Mercurial Vapor, PhantomVSN and Air Jordan V, along with a training and lifestyle apparel range. The match kits are built on a Nike Vaporknit Match chassis and feature clean black and white colorways with red accents. The goalkeeper kit comes in bold "Infrared", a nod to one of Jordan Brand’s heritage colors. “We’re excited to unite these two passionate communities by putting the Jumpman on the chest of Paris Saint-Germain to continue fueling the energy for sport and style globally,” says Jordan.
The footwear and apparel collection channels the predominately black-and-white look of the kits, but also adds a strategic use of red, another Jordan Brand heritage color and prominent color on Paris Saint-Germain kits. Additionally, each product features a unique remix of the two iconic logos, placing the Jumpman in the Paris Saint-Germain crest.
This mix of energy gives the product a transcendent flourish; from a fan perspective that excitement is already palpable. "Jordan is adding that special touch to PSG," says Larry Nicolas. His twin brother defines that magic more directly: "It’s the swag,” says Laurent Nicolas. “Jordan belongs with PSG.” See the full product range below.
The Jordan Brand x Paris Saint-Germain collection releases on September 14. The club will debut its Jordan Brand kit on September 18th in the Champions League.
