Nigel Sylvester might not be Nike, Inc.'s biggest collaborator (that distinction is currently held by Travis Scott), but he's amongst the company's oldest.
Although the New York City native has recently dominated headlines with his Air Jordan 4 'Brick by Brick' collaboration, he's been powered by the Swoosh conglomerate since 2005. Sylvester joined Nike 6.0 as its second BMX athlete (the first having been Garrett Reynolds). The relationship with Nike began as a typical sponsorship, but the then-teenager quickly got the chance to design his own sneakers.
Over the last 20 years, Nigel Sylvester has collaborated with the Swoosh and Jordan Brand on a half-dozen projects, with some collaborations fetching hundreds of dollars over retail on the after-market.
In 2021, the Queens-born rider formally joined Jordan Brand as its first BMX athlete. The move was years in the making and enabled by his frequent use of the Air Jordan 1.
Ahead of launching his 'Brick by Brick' retros, here's a history of Nigel Sylvester's collaborations with Jordan Brand and Nike.
Nike 6.0 Mavrk (2009)
Sylvester was a big fan of Nike 6.0's Mavrk silhouette. At quick glance, the model appears like a hybrid of the classic Dunk Low, beloved Air Force 1, and J.Crew-approved Killshot 2. Sylvester's take on the Mavrk featured a black, gold, and purple color scheme, as well as a touch of luxury via asymmetrical ostrich and crocodile skin.
Nike SB Dunk High 'S.O.M.P.' (2014)
Nike 6.0 was dissolved in 2011. Sylvester got a shot at another collaboration three years later under the Nike SB umbrella. Akin to his inaugural linkup with the Swoosh, the BMX athlete's second footwear project favored an understated color palette.
Developed with insight from the late DJ Clark Kent, the Nike SB Dunk High 'S.O.M.P.' (Standing on My Pedals) also achieved an air of luxury through the use of Euphoria nubuck, a material historically reserved for bespoke product. Safari print along the tongue nodded to Tinker Hatfield's Nike Air Safari from 1987, while also referencing NYC's concrete jungle moniker. 'Metallic Silver' swooshes tied the collaboration together, drawing inspiration from the chrome often associated with BMX bikes.
Air Jordan 1 High (2018)
The 'S.O.M.P.' collaboration laid the foundation for Nigel Sylvester's first project with Jordan Brand.
Having featured the silhouette heavily throughout his Go! video series, the New Yorker finally got a stab at the Air Jordan 1 during Summer 2018. Sylvester abandoned the silhouette's original color palette in favor of a predominantly 'Sail' look. The pair was designed to look worn straight out of the box, with faux distressing found throughout the upper and sole unit.
The first Air Jordan 1 High by Nigel Sylvester also featured a miniature swoosh logo at the forefoot, a detail that's appeared on every collaboration since.
Nike Air Force 1 iD (2018)
Sylvester and his Nike, Inc. family released a special trio of the Air Force 1 via the Nike iD program shortly after their Air Jordan 1 High.
Although the Queens-native didn't ride in the iconic silhouette from the 1980s, he appreciated its classic design and importance to New York City. The limited edition AF1 could be customized with predominantly black, gold, or white finishes, and consisted of details not normally found on standard versions of the old school basketball shoe. A special Nike QNS logo was embroidered onto the Achilles' heel as a nod to Sylvester's home borough.
Pairs were available at Nike's studio at 45 Grand Street in New York City, as well as online for a short period of time.
Air Jordan 1 High 'Noise Canceling Pack' (2018)
While not officially a part of his design catalog, a special 'White-on-White' Air Force 1 High from Dec. 2018 was developed by the brand to commemorate Nigel Sylvester.
Part of a larger Noise Canceling Pack, the sneaker launched alongside the opening of Nike's New York City Flagship store. The 'colorless' retro featured a number of modifications that deviated from Peter Moore's blueprint–including zig-zag stitching and translucent tongue tags.
The pair ultimately saw a wider release throughout March 2019.
Air Jordan 1 High 'Friends & Family' (2022)
Though it appeared a far way from his 2018 Air Jordan 1 High OG, this Friends & Family-exclusive design from Nigel showed just how much hype the BMX rider's collaborations had. Spread across social media, this alternate version of his debut Jumpman collaboration was his most talked about for a while—so much so that the involved parties decided to release a low-top version to the public in 2025.
Jordan Air Ship (2023)
Sylvester officially joined the Jumpman family in Sept. 2021. He teased a second pair of his Air Jordan 1 High collaboration from 2018 shortly after, but didn't treat the public to a new project until 2023.
The professional athlete helped the Swoosh reintroduce the Nike Air Ship as the Jordan Air Ship. On this front, Sylvester previewed a special take on the model Michael Jordan wore before the AJ1, covering it in high-quality materials and a 'Diffused Blue/Summit White/Sail' colorway.
The pair ultimately resulted being a Friends & Family exclusive, but teased the possibility of Nigel Sylvester getting his own line of Jordan Brand products under the Bike Air banner–a play on the original Nike Air logo.
Air Jordan 4 RM 'Grandma's Driveway' (2024)
Introducing a new silhouette into the sneaker market is no easy task, especially when said design heavily references a heritage product. Yet, Nigel Sylvester's Air Jordan 4 RM 'Grandma's Driveway' served as a masterclass in doing so.
Essentially a restomod of Tinker Hatfield's Air Jordan 4 from 1988, the sneaker delivered a new take on Jordan Brand legacy. Sylvester's input was crucial to the development of the shoe, which came after Nike SB's highly successful 'Pine Green' update to Hatfield's basketball design.
Bike Air text replaced traditional branding at the spine, further cementing the BMX athlete's position within Air Jordan history. A story-driven concept and rollout made Sylvester's two Air Jordan 4 RM collaborations some of 2024's biggest releases.
Air Jordan 4 'Brick by Brick' (2025)
Although the grandma-inspired duo from Summer 2024 was highly-lauded, it also left countless spectators wondering one thing: When is Nigel getting a proper Air Jordan 4 collab?
In late Dec. 2024, the world was treated to an answer via a preview founded by Elden Monitors. A first-look at Nigel Sylvester's Air Jordan 4 unveiled the iconic sneaker covered in a 'Firewood Orange' tone. High-quality suede replaced traditional nubuck. Bike Air text also reappeared on the heel, giving credence to the theory that the New Yorker would operate his own BMX-inspired series under the Jordan Brand umbrella.
Sylvester confirmed the impending release of his 'Brick by Brick' capsule through a number of IRL events–including a fashion show held at The Standard, High Line Hotel.
A second, predominantly 'White' version was also revealed at the fashion show. Sylvester confirmed that the shoe would release by Holiday 2025, giving fans something to look forward to after his 'Firewood Orange' pair's rumored March release.
Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Nitro' (2025)
Nigel Sylvester and Jordan Brand are riding a wave of momentum in 2025, with this latest release marking his third collaboration of the calendar year. As the BMX icon and the Swoosh continue to strengthen their creative partnership, the upcoming drop further cements Sylvester's position as a driving force in the footwear world.
This release serves as a nod to his 2022 Friends & Family Air Jordan 1 High OG, reinterpreting the design into a low-top version for the public. Launching as part of Jordan Brand’s 40th-anniversary celebration, the pair will bring a fresh perspective to a silhouette steeped in history, blending Sylvester's style with timeless Jumpman DNA.
The collaboration marks a pivotal chapter for both parties, representing a culmination of shared creativity and mutual respect. This year feels like a crescendo in their partnership, with each release amplifying the synergy between Nigel Sylvester, Nike, and Jordan Brand, all while pushing the boundaries of what footwear collaborations can achieve.
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