Social Status, the boutique imprint from James Whitner's The Whitaker Group, is closing out 2026 with its own take on the Air Jordan 1 Low OG. A detailed look surfaced on Friday 13 November, showing a Chicago-inspired pair with distressed red leather, a blue Sashiko-style textile on the side panels and a matching custom shoebox. It is expected in December 2026 through Social Status, with the exact date still to be confirmed.

In short

• Social Status x Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Sashiko", style code IU4982-600, Varsity Red/Sail-Game Royal-Black.
• Chicago colour blocking, pre-aged red overlays, blue Sashiko-style textile panels and a nylon tongue in the spirit of the 1985 original.
• Expected December 2026 via Social Status. Exact date and NZ availability TBC.

A Chicago Jordan 1 Low With a Patchwork Twist

The starting point is the most famous colourway in Jordan history: the red, white and black of the original Air Jordan 1 "Chicago". Social Status keeps that colour story but swaps the materials. The red leather overlays on the heel, eyestays and mudguard have an intentionally scuffed, worn-in finish, while the white leather toe box is left clean for contrast.

The standout detail sits on the side panels. Where you would normally see smooth white leather, Social Status has used a blue Sashiko-style textile, a woven pattern that nods to the Japanese stitching technique used to reinforce and repair fabric. It gives the pair a hand-made, patched-up character that you rarely see on a Jordan 1 Low. A black Swoosh, black laces and a nylon tongue finish the upper, with the tongue taking its cue from the 1985 Air Jordan 1.

Photo: @sneakernews

The Box Is Part of the Release

Social Status has also reworked the packaging. The classic Nike Air shoebox associated with Jordan 1 releases is wrapped in the same blue Sashiko-inspired pattern as the shoe, with oversized Social Status lettering across the lid.

Photo: @sneakernews

Who Is Social Status?

Social Status is one of the labels run by James Whitner's The Whitaker Group. It has worked with Nike before, most famously on the 2021 "Free Lunch" Dunk Mid pack, which gave us the "Chocolate Milk" and "Strawberry Milk" pairs. This Air Jordan 1 Low OG brings that storytelling approach to Jordan Brand's most popular low-top.

NZ Release Info

Social Status is expected to release the pair in December 2026 through its own stores and website. No exact date or wider stockist list has been confirmed, and there is no confirmed New Zealand release. Collaborations like this usually sell through quickly on launch day, so if you want a pair in NZ, the resale market will be the realistic route. We will add it to imyourwardrobe.com when it lands.

In the meantime, the Chicago-inspired Jordan 1 Low Black Toe (2023) and Jordan 1 Low Bred Toe give you the same red, white and black colour blocking, and collab fans can shop the Travis Scott x Jordan 1 Low Black Phantom and the Fragment x Travis Scott Jordan 1 Low. Browse every pair in our Jordan 1 Low collection, read our Jordan 1 Low NZ picks, or check your size first with our sneaker size chart. Every pair is authentic and inspected, NZ shipping is free on every order, and Afterpay is available.

Release Details

• Name: Social Status x Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Sashiko"
• Colourway: Varsity Red/Sail-Game Royal-Black
• Release date: December 2026 (exact date TBC)
• Style code: IU4982-600
• Where to get it in NZ: Coming soon to imyourwardrobe.com. Shop similar pairs in our Jordan collection.

FAQ

When does the Social Status x Air Jordan 1 Low OG release?

It is expected in December 2026 through Social Status. An exact release date has not been announced yet.

What is the style code of the Social Status Jordan 1 Low?

The style code is IU4982-600, in the Varsity Red/Sail-Game Royal-Black colourway.

Will the Social Status x Air Jordan 1 Low release in NZ?

No NZ release has been confirmed. Social Status is expected to sell it through its own stores and website, and I'm Your Wardrobe plans to list it on imyourwardrobe.com once it releases.