NIGEL SYLVESTER'S EUROPEAN TOUR
GOING FURTHER THAN MOST
Whenever a kid learns how to ride a bike, he or she is given a gift—the ability to get from point A to point B. Nigel Sylvester, New York City-born BMX rider, was once one of those kids, yet he's used that gift to go further than most. His bike has taken him around the world, even though he doesn't take part in professional competitions. Nigel's plans were different than most. We sat down with the GO series founder while on his European tour for the launch of the Air Jordan I inspired by him, and talked about what drives him to be different, his connection with Europe and the AJ I.
YOU HAVE COME TO EUROPE FOR THE LAUNCH OF YOUR AJ I. WHAT TYPE OF ENERGY DO YOU GET HERE?
Many people in Europe follow what I do, and I've been travelling here for years. The first time I came to Europe, I was not even a professional yet. I've such a special connection with Europe. London reminds me a lot of New York City. Paris, I'm just in love with its beautiful architecture and the way the city is crafted. It's a beautiful place and there's a certain feeling I get in Paris. This is my third time in Amsterdam. I haven't spent much time here, but I guess it's a chill vibe. The reason why I want to come here is I just walk around the streets and people are showing love. It's important to me to come and connect with the people.
HOW HAS YOUR YEAR BEEN SO FAR?
This year has been crazy. It has been insane. From the very beginning we started to work on GO 'London to Paris', the fifth episode in the GO series, which is super cool. It's the first time we did two cities in one. The goal is always to highlight these cities that we do GO videos in, the people and the energy. So, we did two cities in one and it was definitely a big undertaking, but we executed it. Then we went right into planning for this AJ I release, which is insane. I have had an idea to do the AJ I for so many years now and then had an opportunity to actually work on it with Jordan Brand and Frank Cooke. We also shot three Nike campaigns this year, which is crazy!
WHERE DID THE PROCESS FOR THIS JORDAN I START?
When it came to this project, we thought about how dope it would be to do a distressed Jordan I. When I ride in my Js, they get all messed up, but they still look super dope.
The process started late last year. Jordan footwear designer Frank Cooke and I sat down in Portland and started to design it. We decided to go with the traditional red, black and white—executed differently, of course—and then distress it.
YOU ALSO LOOKED BACK AT YOUR OLDER JORDAN Is, RIGHT?
The main inspiration was a pair of Shadow Is that I rode in for months. Man, I loved them. They are definitely well worn-in. I've taken several bike trips with them and filmed a lot of clips in those joints.
Frank was like, "Yo, send me those shoes". He studied them and said, "These points on your shoe get beat up the most". My bike has no brakes; my shoes are my brakes. I ride left-foot forward, so my right foot usually acts as my brake. It gets a lot of damage back in the heel area, because it's closest to my back wheel and frame.
HAS THE EXISTENCE OF THIS SHOE FULLY SET IN FOR YOU YET?
I dreamt about working on a Jordan I for years, and what it would feel like, since I started riding in them.
The meaning of this shoe really connects to why they are distressed. When I'm riding and doing tricks, travelling around the world or getting my ideas out in the pursuit of making dreams a reality, my shoes naturally get beat up. This shoe is a reflection of the dedication, hustle and love I put into everything I do. It's that "I will not lose" attitude. That story is told through this shoe. This shoe defines my journey, from when I started riding BMX up until this point and beyond.