Jordan Brand's wings collection is expertly handmade in Italy

While certain rare Air Jordans have fetched high prices at auction as icons of basketball history, the brand is not traditionally thought of as luxury fashion. However, Jordan Brand aims to elevate its image with the exquisite Jordan Wings Collection. Comprising shoes, clothing and accessories, the collection is entirely crafted by hand in Italy. At the forefront are two premier silhouettes reimagined with the finest materials and skilled artisanship. Through the Wings Collection, Jordan Brand makes its foray into high-end luxury fashion produced with Italian craftsmanship at the highest level.

Let us first admire the flagships of the collection - these exclusively limited-edition Air Jordan 1s. Crafted entirely by hand in Italy, the Air Jordan 1 High '85 Wings are constructed from the finest full-grain and hair-on-hide Italian leathers. The white-on-white and black-on-black silhouettes boast buttery soft uppers, stitched with the utmost care. Inside, satin linings and PU sock liners cradle the foot in luxury. Even the leather edges receive the artisans' special touch through hand-painted detailing. The Air Jordan 1 Low Wings are no less exquisite, featuring the same premium materials and hand-stitched construction. Both high-top versions are punctuated by a bespoke Wing logo debossed into the collar, a symbol of the footwear's elevated rank within the collection.

Beyond the exquisitely crafted Air Jordans, the collection pays tribute to Michael Jordan's legacy through additional finest-quality Italian accessories. A Jordan Wings bucket hat and coordinated track jacket and pants echoing Jordan's iconic warm-up style are fashioned from premium materials like cashmere and lambskin. A bespoke duffel bag transports it all in luxury. The pièce de résistance is surely the Jordan Wings net sweater - its hand-stitched construction ingeniously mimics a basketball net. Smaller tokens also proclaim one's admiration, such as a Jordan Wings two-finger ring recalling his taped digits and a keychain bearing the logo. Together, these accessories celebrate Jordan's greatness through the highest standards of Italian craft.

This exquisite Jordan Wings Collection marks its global premiere later this month, while maintaining an exclusive focus on the Chinese market for now. A special unveiling event is scheduled for March in Beijing to herald the collection's arrival. Certainly worth the luxury price tag, the handcrafted Air Jordan 1 Highs are set at $975, with the Air Jordan 1 Lows a slightly more affordable $875. Both showcase mastery attainable only through the skills of Italian craftspeople. While availability remains limited, sneaker aficionados and high fashion lovers alike will await word of wider distribution with eager anticipation.