Style of the Jordan 12 OG Taxi
Inspired by Japan's Rising Sun flag and a woman's 19th-century shoe's high heel (yes, you heard that correctly!), the Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Jordan 12 made its debut in 1996. MJ wanted a comfortable, durable heel that was also stylish, so he took his cue from a woman's shoe profile.
The OG Jordan 12 originated with five colorways in 1996 and 1997. The Air Jordan 12 Retro series was later introduced in 2003 and continues today. From OG colorways like "Taxi" and "Flu Game" to exclusive Retro collabs with OVO and PSNY, Air Jordan 12 sneakers are sought after for their bold silhouette, sharp color combos and long-wearing durability.
Air Jordan 12: History and a Brand New Launch
After the extraordinary success of the Air Jordan 11, Michael Jordan's 12th signature shoe was released in 1996. The official launch of the Jordan Brand occurred the following year, and the Jordan 12s were the last of the line to be sold in a Nike branded box.
Aesthetically, the AJ 12 merged details like stitched leather panels that resembled rays from the sun with a sleek shape based loosely on a 19th-century dress boot. Performance-wise, the Air Jordan 12s retained the revolutionary carbon fiber plate introduced in the Air Jordan 11 and added Nike Zoom Air cushioning - the first Jordan sneaker to do so.
Jordan 12 OG Taxi 1996
The Jordan 12 Taxi, released on November 1, 1996, was one of five original colorways released for the Jordan 12. It's made of tumbled leather that gives it a semi-sheen appearance. The upper is white and black with a stitched pattern along the white portion that resembles sun rays. Metallic gold eyelets and gold accents on the bottoms of the shoes add color to the design. There is also a red Jumpman on the outsole and red detailing on the back of the heel. An exposed carbon fiber midsole plate and quick-lacing system complete the design.