{"id":803859,"date":"2019-09-10T10:08:42","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T14:08:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=803859"},"modified":"2022-09-13T03:06:55","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T08:06:55","slug":"nike-sb-dunk-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/nike-sb-dunk-history\/","title":{"rendered":"A Complete History of Nike SB Dunks"},"content":{"rendered":"

2002 marked the beginning of a new wave that was about to start building for sneaker culture when the Nike SB<\/strong> division was formed.<\/p>\n

At this point in time, convention would be broken. Not only would the brand collaborate with Supreme for the first offerings of skate-specific Dunks with the elephant print color blocking from the Jordan 3, but they would also be adopted by more than just people who skated.<\/p>\n

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Despite not having an assessed value at over one billion dollars just yet (2002), Supreme would kickstart the momentum for the beginning of the Dunk lineage in the division’s first year in production that are considered by many collectors of today to be their all-time grails. Prior to the brand’s collaboration with the now renowned streetwear label, Nike SB would really begin to turn the heads of core skate advocates by giving esteemed pros of the era, like Gino Ianucci, Reese Forbes, Danny Supa, and Richard Mulder their own signature colorways of the Dunk Low Pro SB.<\/p>\n

And if one wasn’t enough, Nike didn’t waste any time on giving several of the aforementioned multiple colorways – some of which that would even introduce the high-top offerings of the iconic skate shoe.<\/p>\n

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Shortly after the boom the Supreme releases and the signature color palettes of the original four team riders, other natural collaborations with skate brands, Zoo York and Chocolate would follow suit. It wasn’t long before the idea of co-branded partnerships would forge a new meaning, welcoming the idea of artist series and even special projects with acclaimed sneaker boutiques.<\/p>\n

2003-04 is when the brand would begin to further explode, unveiling yet another project with Supreme on the Dunk High with the addition of a City Series (Paris, Tokyo, London, and Pigeon) that still remain to be one of the most coveted SB gems of all-time. A year later, the Team Manager Series was born, giving different skate labels, like Nick Tershay of Diamond Supply Co. and Robbie Jeffers of Stussy to collaborate on their own Dunk Lows.<\/p>\n

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There were also collaborations on the Blazer and the Zoom FC with Real Skateboards and Alien Workshop, while the SB family also got their own rendition of the Team Edition silhouette, which was designed by their very own Hunter Muraira.<\/p>\n

Eric Koston has been a household name in skateboarding since the 90s, but it was his signing with Nike SB in 2009 that his name would begin to shine brighter. What many people forget is that the Dunk altered its design makeup yet again after Boston came on-board, where he helped make the silhouette even more skate able by adding in more cushioning at the back of the heel to keep the shoes from slipping off, while the softer compound in the outsole ensured an even more pronounced grip. After this notable design influence, he would shortly be awarded with a Dunk Low and a Dunk High inspired by his Thai culture.<\/p>\n

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After a continuous wave of momentum, the brand would really begin to heighten their impact with a detailed approach to storytelling at the tail end of the 2000s. Bring in Boston boutique Concepts and suddenly a pair of shoes wasn’t just something to collect, skate, or wear on your feet. It became a story to connect with and a feeling of knowing what was really cool over others that didn’t. And the first collection of Lobster Dunks would make that exact impression – literally causing a stir throughout the city by putting up signs that warned people about these alienated lobsters roaming about the New England waters. It became so effective that they would continue to follow up their future releases with these same tongue and cheek antics, causing other collaborators and boutiques to follow suit.<\/p>\n

Now it would seem like Nike SB is back in the driver’s seat, bringing back early team member, James Arizumi to the helm. As such, Nike SB has already delivered two new colorways of the Lobster series, new Diamond Dunk iterations, and even the latest Pigeon offering from Jeff Staple’s brand. It also might be helping to have the likes of celebrities like Travis Scott, LeBron James, and Virgil Abloh wearing them on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

We proudly present to you a complete history of SB Dunks. Enjoy.<\/p>\n

2002<\/h2>\n
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Nike SB Dunk Low “Richard Mulder”. Box Code:\u00a0304292 141. Orange Box.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Richard Mulder was one of the original four Nike SB team members who also had one of their own signature colorways of the Dunk Low. Mulder’s inspiration behind his exclusive colorway drew influence from his first pair of Nikes, which were white and blue tennis shoes. Not only was he a member of the first four team riders, but his shoe was also the first Dunk SB ever.<\/p>\n

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Nike SB Dunk Low “Mulder” Ad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Richard Mulder with a Backside Bluntside Fakie in his signature colorway of the Dunk Low.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nike SB Dunk Low “Danny Supa”. Box Code:\u00a0304292 841.\u00a0Orange Box.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Danny Supa’s colorway of the SB Dunk Low was the second iteration of the “Colors By” series, which utilizes East Coast team color blocking that pays homage to the skater’s roots in New York City.<\/p>\n

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Nike SB Dunk Low “Supa” Ad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n