The Air Jordan 10 Retro Linen 2005 Release
"I'm back." With those words in 1995, Michael Jordan ended his brief retirement and stepped back on the court to dominate again. Fans worldwide were elated, and MJ quickly returned to top form donning the Air Jordan 10 in the Chicago colourway. The number 23 was gone, replaced by 45, but trainer heads knew the AJ 10 was a number worth owning.
The Story Behind the Air Jordan X Design
Although MJ never wore the previous iteration, the Air Jordan IX, on the court, they were designed while he was still suiting up as a Chicago Bull. Air Jordan designer Tinker Hatfield, who led the creations of the Jordan III through IX models, wanted the post-retirement X to signify a highlight reel of Jordan's most significant achievements from each of his seasons in the NBA. Like banners hanging from the rafters, the AJ 10's sole featured ten milestones representing Jordan the man and Air Jordan the shoe:
- 85 ROOKIE OF YEAR
- 86 63 POINTS
- 87 SCORING TITLE
- 88 DUNK CHAMP
- 89 ALL DEFENSE
- 90 SCORES 63 POINTS
- 91 MVP/CHAMPIONSHIP
- 92 MVP/CHAMPIONSHIP
- 93 MVP/CHAMPIONSHIP
- 94 BEYOND
In honour of Michael Jordan's various achievements, Jordan Brand released the Air Jordan 10 along with a variety of colourways including the Linen release of July 2005. A White mudguard overlays the side panels, and an additional overlay rests underneath, coating the majority of the upper. A tan Linen colour then appears on the ankle, eyelets, laces, tongue, heel tab, and inner sock liner. A Linen Jordan Jumpman logo is woven into the heel, and a second University Blue Jumpman sits on the bottom tread. The tread is striped with 10 Linen sections to denote 10 of Jordan's most notable achievements during his basketball career.