Restoring History: Vick Almighty’s Union-Inspired 1985 Air Jordan 1 Custom

When it comes to sneaker restoration, very few do it like Vick Almighty. But his latest project? A true tribute to sneaker culture's crown jewel — the Jordan 1. 

To honor the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan 1, Vick and Reshoevn8r teamed up to take on one of his most ambitious projects yet: a full restoration and custom using two original 1985 pairs: the iconic “Bred” and a vintage “Royal.” The result is a first-of-its-kind Union LA-inspired 1-of-1. 

The Inspiration: Union Meets 1985

This project started with one question:

What if Chris Gibbs and Union LA collaborated with Nike and Michael Jordan in 1985?

 

The answer? A handcrafted hybrid custom that channels both the OG roots of the Air Jordan 1 and the iconic aesthetic of Union’s collaborative partnership, which kicked off in 2018. Vick sourced the original "Royals" from eBay years ago and picked up the "Breds" from vintage sneaker legend Foxtrott Uniform. 

 

Breaking It Down: A Custom Like No Other

 

Vick began by deep cleaning the "Breds" with Reshoevn8r’s Essential Kit, reviving decades of dirt and damage. From there, the restoration process went full tilt:

• Complete deconstruction: Every panel, lace, sole, and stitch was separated and laid out.

• Collar rebuild: Padding was added for structure without compromising the OG feel.

 

• Hand-painted touch-ups: Bringing the cracked leather back to life.

• Modernized sole swap: Clean and wearable, while staying true to the 1985 base.

• Union DNA: Yellow stitching, a vintage UN/LA tag, and mismatched elements inspired by the original Union AJ1 collab.

 

 

Each shoe tells a different story:

• The left shoe uses the "Royal" base with a "Bred" collar and tongue.
  

 

• The right shoe flips it with a "Bred" base and "Royal" upper accents.

 

Through the last four decades, the 1985 Air Jordan 1 has withstood the test of time and trends due to its undeniable legacy as it paved the way for sneakers and what it would go on to birth culturally and historically.

 

 

The project commemorates the legacy of Michael Jordan, the late Peter Moore, and the
success of Nike, Inc. and the Air Jordan 1 from 1985 retros to collaborations with the ultimate tastemakers, such as Chris Gibbs and his renowned work with Union Los Angeles.

 

 

Vick’s dedicated craftsmanship and execution on the “UN/VA” project lives up to the Jumpman standard: Quality Inspired By The Greatest Player Ever.

 

Want to restore your favorite sneakers? Use code "85 UNION" to save 20% sitewide, only at Reshoevn8r.com.