Exclusive: How the fragment x Union x Air Jordan 1 Collab Came to Life
PublishedQuick Facts
- With fragment’s Hiroshi Fujiwara and Union’s Chris Gibbs both in Los Angeles for All-Star Weekend events to promote the collab, we caught up with Gibbs for an off-hand discussion about the new collection.
- According to our impromptu chat with Gibbs, the Sport Royal colorway from the pack was his design, the White Black colorway was designed by Hiroshi, and the two of them came together to join forces on design duties for the mash-up Chicago pair.
- Gibbs also told us that the partnership was formed over a chance discussion between Gibbs and Hiroshi, with both designers celebrating each other's work with Jordan, sparking the joint partnership that would eventually turn into the three-pack of ultra-exclusive Jordan 1s.
In a year that’s only a month-and-a-half in but already brimming with limited and exclusive sneaker releases, the triple collab between Japan’s fragment design, legendary LA boutique Union, and Jordan Brand has been at the top of the most wanted list. With fragment’s Hiroshi Fujiwara and Union’s Chris Gibbs both in Los Angeles for All-Star Weekend events to promote the collab, we caught up with Gibbs for an off-hand discussion about the new collection.
Union and Jordan partnered on a space in LA where they hosted a workshop with kids from the Wings program to do custom jackets, followed by a panel with Gibbs, Hiroshi, and pro skater Dashawn Jordan. At the event, we talked to Gibbs and got some exclusive insight into the collaborative design process that went into the triple collab Air Jordan 1s.
According to our impromptu chat with Gibbs, the Sport Royal colorway from the pack was his design, the White Black colorway was designed by Hiroshi, and the two of them came together to join forces on design duties for the mash-up Chicago pair.
Gibbs also told us that the partnership was formed over a chance discussion between Gibbs and Hiroshi, with both designers celebrating each other's work with Jordan, sparking the joint partnership that would eventually turn into the three-pack of ultra-exclusive Jordan 1s.
The fragment x Union x Air Jordan 1 collection, including the sneakers and matching apparel, will be released on February 14, 2026 online via a special site, https://www.unionjordanfragment.com, at 11 AM ET (8 AM PT). Expect at least the Chicago Royal and Sport Royal pairs to be made available, as the White Black has been reported as being exclusive to Undefeated.
On the morning of the Union release, we’ll be tracking everything via the Sole Retriever mobile app and will send direct links to buy once they are available.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
