When Tinker Hatfield designed the Air Jordan 11 back in 1995, he subverted basketball footwear forever by introducing patent leather—bringing a tuxedo-level polish straight onto the court. Fast forward to today, and Rei Kawakubo’s COMME des GARÇONS Homme Plus is taking that subversion to its logical extreme.
For Autumn/Winter 2026, the cult Japanese label has reframed the iconic silhouette through its signature lens of drastic reduction, stark proportion, and avant-garde tailoring. Dropping in razor-sharp Black and White iterations, the collaboration strips away the usual sportswear noise, trading ballistic nylon for luxe full-grain and patent leather from upper to lining.
The standout flex? The shoe extends its patent shine directly down into the midsole, giving the silhouette an almost fluid, high-gloss finish. Branding remains defiantly understated: debossed accents throughout, with “Homme Plus”typeset in the original Air Jordan XI font across the tongue.
Lensed by photographer Goldie Williams Vericain outside CDG’s iconic Aoyama flagship in Tokyo, the campaign pairs the sneakers against heavily structured, dark tailoring—reinforcing the tension between hardcourt heritage and formalwear protocol.
Arriving September 5th across Dover Street Market outposts and select global stockists, this isn’t just another sneaker drop—it’s a masterclass in how to strip a legend down to its pure, sculptural essence.
Photography by GOLDIE WILLIAMS VERICAIN