Retro Rareness with JJ Schoeman
Recently, the Shelflife Joburg Store got a little something extra added to their displays- not a BAPE-X or a new pair of Air Max’s, but rather quite the opposite. The displays hold vintage grails which extend far past just the sneaker community but rather touch all cornerstones of history and culture. We present to you JJ Schoeman’s sneaker collection: the 1994 Chicago's, 1989 Jordan 4 Fire Reds and 1985 Bred "Banned" Jordan 1s (and a little something extra with the 1996 Springboks x Nike Jacket).
We chatted with the antiquist himself about his passion for collecting vintage Nike and his connection with the stories behind these pieces.
“My name is JJ. I've been collecting sneakers and vintage apparel since 2021. I started the collection at 17, and it has only expanded in size since then.”
SL: What inspired you to start collecting vintage Nike memorabilia, and how did your passion for these items evolve over time?
JJ: I was initially interested in the latest releases back in 2019 (My first ever raffle was for the Air Force 1 Low G-Dragon Peaceminusone Para-Noise at Shelflife!), but after spending countless hours watching videos from collectors around the world, I realized that vintage collections had a unique appeal to me, because of the unique stories that alot of collectors had about buying pairs from yard sales that were either completely preserved 40 years after they release or they were used as skate shoes back in the day, before Nike SBs were on the market.
SL: Can you share the story behind how you acquired these original Air Jordans from their original release dates? Were there any memorable experiences or challenges in obtaining such rare pieces?
JJ: In 2021 I decided to start my vintage collection. My first pair was a pair of 1994 Chicago's, which were bought from a seller on ebay. My second pair was a pair of Deadstock 1989 Jordan 4 Fire Reds and the third pair was a pair of 1985 bred "Banned" Jordan 1s. The hardest part about acquiring these pairs was knowing where to look and spending hours searching sites in different languages and also talking to the right people.
SL: With the vast array of Nike memorabilia available, what criteria do you use to select and prioritize items for your collection? Are there specific elements or characteristics that make certain pieces stand out to you?
JJ: My collection has a vintage theme, because I like collecting memrobillia that is hard to find and can turn the heads of people who have been in this space for longer than I have. Another characteristic of the things that I like collecting are the stories that they carry.
SL: Maintaining the condition of vintage items can be a challenge. Can you share some insights into how you've preserved the quality of your Air Jordans and other Nike memorabilia over the years? Are there any special care techniques you follow?
JJ: Since I bought these back in 2021, I was concerned because I did not know in what conditions the pairs were stored in. The pairs were increased and in some instances loose threading had to be removed. The 1989 Jordan 4s need to be handled with care, and they are stored in a room that gets a minimal amount of sunlight to make sure that the pair does not develop more patina than it already has.
SL: Are there any particular items in your collection that hold sentimental value or have a unique backstory? Whether it's a pair of sneakers or a specific piece of memorabilia, we'd love to hear about the personal connections you've developed with certain items in your collection.
JJ: The 1985 Jordan 1s have a very unique story. The pair was bought from a guy in Norway who bought it at a yard sale from a guy who didn't know what he was selling for a fraction of their resale value at the time.
SL: Tell us all about this incredible Springboks x Nike Jacket?!
JJ: The jacket belonged to a person who was friends with the springboks team manager. The jackets were only given to players during 1996 as a player exclusive, and he was fortunate enough to recieve one of them from one of the props, and that's why it is an XL. The jacket has barely been worn in the last 27 years, and I've only worn it to the game between the All Blacks and the Springboks in the finals. I plan to wear it again when the next Rugby World Cup takes place.