The Air Jordan 12 was the height of art and design, and then their marriage. In turn, they took the Air Jordan series to a new height.
The journey of the Jordan 12 is a journey of height of art, to height of design, to height of the Air Jordan series itself.
The Air Jordan 12 got its inspiration from two sources: The Japanese flag and a women’s shoe-design from the 19th century (named “Nisshoki”). From the Japanese Rising Sun flag, it borrowed the sun rays and put on the Air Jordan 12.
See the stitching down the sides of AJ12? It purposefully resembles the sun rays.
Where did the high heels come from? Simple, from Nisshoki. Michael Jordan wanted the shoes both comfortable and durable, and for that, he didn’t bother if they took a cue from women’s shoes.
Talking of design now. The Air Jordan 12 were not worn just by Michael Jordan himself. Everybody loved them. Scottie Pippen, Bill Wennington, and Luc Longley put them on right away.
Pippen, in fact, fell in love with them and dumped his own Max Air system for them. Although Michael Jordan couldn’t win the MVP in the Jordan 12 season, he came a close second (closest ever in the NBA history). But, Air Jordan 12s helped him with other wins.
The best thing about the 12s: they retained the carbon spring plate from the Jordan 11, and they were the first of the Air Jordan series to include Zoom Air—that too at an affordable price of just $125.
Popular Colorways

Colorway: OG Taxis White / Black – Taxi
Release Date: 1996
Price: $135

Colorway: OG White – Varsity Red – Black
Release Date: 1997
Price: $135

Colorway: OG Obsidian – White – French Blue
Release Date: 02/01/1997
Price: $135

Colorway: OG Black – Varsity Red
Release Date: 1997
Price: $135

Colorway: OG Black / Varsity Red-White – Metallic Silver
Release Date: 1997
Price: $140

Colorway: Retro Black – Varsity Red
Release Date: 10/25/2003
Price: $135

Colorway: Retro Nubuck Black / White – University Blue
Release Date: 11/28/2003
Price: $200

Colorway: Retro White / Flint Grey – Metallic Silver
Release Date: 12/13/2003
Price: $135

Colorway: Retro White / French Blue – Metallic Silver – Varsity Red
Release Date: 01/10/2004
Price: $135

Colorway: Retro Playoff Black / Varsity Red – White – Metallic Silver
Release Date: 02/14/2004
Price: $135

Colorway: Retro Womens White / University Blue – Metallic Silver
Release Date: 02/14/2004
Price: $135

Colorway: Retro Melo White / University Blue – Metallic Silver
Release Date: 05/15/2004
Price: $135

Colorway: Retro Low Obsidian / University Blue – White
Release Date: 04/10/2004
Price: $115

Colorway: Retro Low Taxi White / Black – Taxi
Release Date: 05/22/2004
Price: $115

Colorway: Retro Womens Low White / Real Pink – Metallic Silver
Release Date: 06/22/2004
Price: $115

Colorway: Retro White / Black – Taxi Countdown Pack
Release Date: 12/20/2008
Price: $310