Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 Sample Surfaces in Crisp White
Angelo Baque has opened his design archives, revealing a never-before-seen Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 sample that diverges sharply from the retail release. The unreleased iteration trades the collaboration's signature darker aesthetic for a clean white leather upper punctuated by teal green detailing along the midsole—a palette that subtly references New York City's most recognizable symbol.
By Jordan Ellis
The unveiling arrives in tandem with Baque's appointment to the Jordan Design Studio, a newly formed mentorship initiative tasked with cultivating the next generation of sneaker designers. The Awake NY founder's decision to surface these archived samples marks a rare glimpse into the iterative process behind one of Jordan Brand's most celebrated contemporary partnerships.
The unreleased Air Jordan 5 sample showcases an earlier design direction, evident in its placement of Awake's signature "A" logo along the collar—a detail that would eventually be absorbed into the upper's netting structure on the finalized retail version. The white leather construction paired with teal midsole accents carries unmistakable symbolic weight, evoking the copper and weathered green patina of Liberty Island's most famous monument. Whether intentional or coincidental, the colorway reads as distinctly New York, grounded in the city's visual vocabulary rather than abstract aesthetic pursuit.
Equally significant is Baque's first public look at an alternate Awake NY x Air Jordan 6 sample. This iteration swaps the silhouette's familiar slanted "A" branding for Awake's crown logo—a motif central to the brand's identity. The crown variation also exists in pink, opening another window into the exploration process behind this forthcoming collaboration.
The Bigger Picture
Baque's dual role—as both a featured collaborator with Jordan Brand and now as a design mentor through the studio initiative—reflects a broader shift in how Nike's Jordan division sources creativity. The mentorship program, which also includes Union Los Angeles founder Chris Gibbs, positions established designers as both practitioners and educators. For Baque, this represents validation of Awake NY's design philosophy and influence within sneaker culture's upper echelon.
The samples themselves carry no confirmed release date, and it remains unclear whether either the white AJ5 or crown-logo AJ6 will eventually reach retail. Their primary value lies in documented design evolution—proof that even celebrated collaborations undergo significant conceptual refinement before public presentation.
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Release Info
Availability: Unreleased samples (archival documentation only)
Retail Price: N/A
Expected Launch: Confirmed Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 and 6 retail releases TBD
For confirmed Air Jordan releases and restocks, monitor official Jordan Brand channels and authorized retailers.
