Air Jordan 11 Meets LEGO: A Sneaker Innovation by Tamás Borján

The year was 1995 when NIKE’s Air Jordan 11 burst onto the scene, quickly ascending to legendary status long before its cinematic debut in the animated classic, Space Jam. Fast forward to today, where the iconic vintage sneaker is once again thrust into the spotlight, thanks to Hungarian designer Tamás Borján. Working his creative magic under the banner of Tomasso Builds, Borján has undertaken the extraordinary task of recreating the Air Jordan 11 using nothing but LEGO bricks, offering a playful twist on a classic.

Borján’s fascination with LEGO is no secret, and his dedication to crafting this LEGO replica of Michael Jordan’s signature kicks is nothing short of remarkable. In painstaking detail, he replicated the waves of black, white, and gold lines adorning the bottom part of the sneakers, right up to the laces and the upper surface of these iconic sports shoes (see photo reference at the end of this feature). Although other LEGO enthusiasts have ventured into recreating Air Jordan 11s, Borján sought to infuse his own unique touch into the project. ‘I aimed to stay true to the original design as much as possible, using LEGO bricks to guide me. I also ensured that it matched the size and dimensions of LEGO’s official Adidas Superstar set,’ he explained.

Collector’s Dream: Vintage Kicks Reimagined

Tamás Borján, operating under the moniker Tomasso Builds, has long been an ardent admirer of NIKE’s Air Jordan 11 sneakers. His desire to construct a LEGO version of these iconic kicks had simmered for quite some time, and when given the opportunity and the building blocks, he seized it with unwavering determination. While NIKE may be gearing up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Air Jordan 11 in 2025, Borján might have already taken the lead by giving the world a LEGO rendition designed to captivate not only LEGO enthusiasts but also die-hard Michael Jordan fans. The wearable sneakers have undergone a transformation, now resembling a collector’s edition of an iconic design, destined for display.

Prior to embarking on this LEGO journey, Borján delved into the history of the Air Jordan 11, uncovering fascinating nuggets of information. ‘It was first introduced to the public by Michael Jordan himself, who sported them during the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals and throughout the entire 95-96 regular season. His affection for this model ran so deep that he wore it even before NIKE intended him to. It’s his favorite from the entire product line,’ Borján shared in his LEGO project, which is open for public voting.

He couldn’t help but notice that the sneaker’s design was a significant departure from its predecessors, boasting never-before-seen lines and distinct silhouettes. In his unique way, Tamás Borján not only pays homage to a bygone design but also revives a nostalgic memory from the past, all through the playful lens of LEGO.