The Dunk Celebrates 30 Years as an Icon.





In the 1980s, college basketball was reaching new heights among a wide age range of athletes and fans. From east to west rivalries were strong and network TV brought college hoops to the masses.

During the summer of 1985, Nike delivered footwear in the school colors of popular basketball programs allowing fans to support their favorite teams from head to toe. The Nike College Colours program was officially established. The advertising tagline ‘Be True to Your School’ emerged and centered around 12 key schools.
The memorable ‘Be True to Your School’ print ad features the Nike Dunk as the centerpiece of Nike’s College Colours program, the first campaign featuring bold colours on basketball shoes.
College Colours teams included UNLV, Arizona, Iowa, Georgia, Syracuse, Georgetown and Kentucky. It was introduced as part of an August 1985 basketball campaign that included color-coordinated footwear, apparel and bags.
SLAM DUNK FOR SKATERS AND SNEAKERHEADS
The Dunk’s adoption spread beyond basketball culture when the skateboard community organically adopted the style making it a skate icon.
Identified for their low profile midsole and the same performance characteristics that made them a progressive basketball shoe — lateral support, cushioning and special traction for pivoting — the Dunk served the skate scene well, too. For versatility and comfort, Nike Dunks introduced between 1998 and 2000 featured a nylon tongue, which further endeared the shoe to skateboarders for their versatility and movement for skate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eMEYJjZL-U
A skate specific design, the Nike Dunk SB, was eventually introduced in 2002. The SB versions were modified to further cater to the demands of skateboarding, with special padding and traction features.
Nike Dunk SB shoes have become coveted among skaters and sneakerheads throughout Europe, Asia and the US and include limited edition collaborations.
LEGACY OF THE DUNK
The Nike Dunk, established 30 years ago, transcends decades, crossed over sports and fashion and is now firmly recognised for its performance and street style.
You can see our latest selection of Dunk's here.
[Source: Nike]

