Just Another Nike Blog

 Dunk

 September 21, 2020 - An upside-down Nike logo appears prominently on the tongue of the Nike Slam Jam Dunk. The modification reflects the Italian powerhouse's subversive nature, and what has made it a leader in street culture for more than 30 years.  Since its founding in 1989, Slam Jam has been dedicated to what it calls the “global underground.” Explicitly, its stores in the Ferrara headquarters and Milan are a conduit for the varied outputs of multiple subcultures, materialized in clothing but defined by a rebellious attitude.  For owner Luca Benini, the Nike Dunk fits naturally in the Slam Jam ethos. “​​I remember one of my first contacts with the Dunk happened thanks to the Air Jordan I when they came out in 1985. I then discovered its inspirational role,” says Benini. The Dunk's debut coincided with the now iconic “Be True to Your School” advertising campaign. It became a cult favorite of skateboarders and, later, vintage sneaker collectors. By the late ’90s, the Du...