Fragment Union Air Jordan 1 Collection Release Date

Union and Fragment’s Air Jordan 1 collection has been a poorly kept secret, with leaks of the three-sneaker collection dating back some time. Now, however, word has come out with release details for two of the three colorways.

The Union x Fragment x Air Jordan 1 Black/White will be the first to release, as just five stores will get stock this weekend. Undefeated in New York City, Headquarter in Mexico City, Fragment in Tokyo, Tune in Seoul and Starcow and Paris will reportedly be the only stockists for the sneaker on Saturday. Of the five, only Tune has confirmed the method of its release: those interested must arrive at their store wearing a Fragment product to receive a scratch-off lottery ticket with a chance to purchase.

The Union x Fragment x Air Jordan 1 Varsity Red/Sport Royal will follow with a Feb. 14 release coming in the middle of NBA All-Star Weekend. Union itself released a dramatic trailer set in a surgical amphitheater in which a medical team toils away at the sneaker. Because the red, blue, white and black colorway is the only one shown, it’s believed to be releasing on its own with apparel for the digital-only release confirmed by Union.

One colorway, Sport Royal/Black/White, still remains with release details to be confirmed.

All three of the sneakers employ a mashed-up theme started by Union with the release of its first Air Jordan 1 collaboration in 2018. Contrast stitching emphasizes the split between the collar and the rest of the upper, which are each rendered in different colorways. With Fragment’s added involvement, then comes its lightning bolt logo on the lateral heel, as well as product text printed beneath on the midsole.

For this collection, the treatment is being referred to as the “Urahara Stitch,” a term derived from the Ura-Harajuku neighborhood in Tokyo that served as a breeding ground for streetwear in the ’90s. Fragment founder Hiroshi Fujiwara and Union owner Chris Gibbs both met during this same time period.