It was May 7, 1995. Michael Jordan stepped onto the court against the Orlando Magic, and the world stopped looking at his jersey number 45 and started staring at his feet. He wasn't supposed to wear them. Tinker Hatfield, the legendary designer behind the shoe, had explicitly told him not to. The Jordan 11 white and black concord was still a prototype, a vision of the future that hadn't been cleared for takeoff. But Mike being Mike, he couldn't wait.
He saw the shine. He saw the "tuxedo" vibe. Honestly, he knew exactly what he was doing.
That moment birthed a cultural obsession that hasn't cooled off in over thirty years. Whether you call it the "Concord" or the "Grail," this specific colorway isn't just a sneaker; it's a timestamp for when basketball, high fashion, and street culture collided into one shiny, patent-leather mess.
The Shoe That Shouldn't Have Happened
Most people don't realize that Nike actually wanted to kill the Jordan line when MJ first retired to play baseball. They thought the brand was over without him on the court. Tinker Hatfield didn't listen. He kept designing in secret, betting on the fact that the greatest to ever do it would eventually come back.
When he showed the Jordan 11 white and black concord to Michael, the reaction was instant. Jordan famously told Tinker that people would wear these with tuxedos. Tinker laughed. Then, a few months later, Boyz II Men showed up at the American Music Awards wearing the Concords with actual suits.
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Michael called Tinker that night just to say, "I told you so."
Why the Patent Leather is Actually Functional
We see the shiny mudguard now and think "fashion," but it was born from a performance need. Michael Jordan had a habit of "rolling" his foot over the footbed during hard cuts. Leather stretches; patent leather doesn't—at least not as much.
- Lockdown: That stiff, shiny wrap kept his foot firmly over the sole.
- Durability: It protected the softer ballistic mesh from the scuffs of NBA play.
- The Look: It mimicked the toe of a formal dress shoe, hence the tuxedo nickname.
The tech underneath was just as wild for 1995. It was the first time a full-length carbon fiber spring plate was used in a basketball shoe. If you flip a pair over, you can see that checkered pattern through the "icy" translucent sole. It provided a level of stability and "pop" that made other shoes feel like bricks.
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What Really Makes it a "Concord"?
There’s a common misconception that the shoe is strictly black and white. It’s not. If you look at the pods on the outsole and the Jumpman logo, you'll see a very specific shade of dark purple. That is the "Concord" color.
Interestingly, the 1995 originals and the most recent 2018 retro versions have a major difference on the heel. The original "45" sample that Mike wore in the playoffs featured his then-current jersey number. When the shoe actually went to retail in late '95, it had the "23" because he’d switched back.
The 2018 release was a "Remastered" version that went back to the "45" on the heel. For purists, that was a massive deal. It felt like owning a piece of that specific, rebellious moment in May '95.
The Chaos of the 2011 Release
You can't talk about the Jordan 11 white and black concord without talking about the 2011 retro. It was arguably the most chaotic sneaker release in history. We’re talking about mall doors being ripped off their hinges, police using tear gas, and lines that wrapped around city blocks.
It was the peak of "sneakerhead" hysteria before the SNKRS app turned everything into a digital lottery. That release forced Nike to change how they sold shoes forever. It proved that even 16 years after its debut, the demand for this specific white-and-black contrast was bottomless.
Why They’re Still Expensive (and Hard to Find)
If you’re looking to buy a pair today, you’re basically looking at the resale market. Since it’s 2026, the 2018 pairs are getting up there in age.
- Yellowing: That "icy" blue sole eventually turns a pale yellow due to oxidation. Collectors actually pay a premium for "DS" (Deadstock) pairs that have been kept in climate-controlled storage to prevent this.
- The 72-10 Legacy: These were the shoes MJ wore during the Bulls' historic 72-win season. That history is baked into the price.
- The Price Point: While they originally retailed for $220 in 2018, you’re likely looking at anywhere from $400 to $600 today depending on the size and condition.
Spotting the Real Deal
With a shoe this popular, the market is flooded with "super fakes." If you’re hunting for a pair of the Jordan 11 white and black concord, you have to be meticulous.
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- The "Peak" on the Heel: On real pairs, the patent leather at the back of the heel comes to a tiny, sharp point (a "peak"). Many fakes have a rounded or flat cut.
- Carbon Fiber Texture: Real carbon fiber is bumpy and has a distinct depth to it. If it feels like flat, printed plastic, run away.
- The "Third Space" Alignment: On the tongue, the "Jordan/Jumpman" tag should be located exactly between the third and fourth lace loops.
- Box Label: The 2018 box was a special slide-out drawer style. If it comes in a standard flip-top Jordan box, it’s a red flag.
How to Wear Them Without Looking Like a 2010 Hypebeast
The "tuxedo" rule still applies, but you don't actually have to wear a suit. Because the Jordan 11 white and black concord is so visually loud, the rest of your outfit should be quiet.
Basically, avoid the "infant" look—don't match every single piece of clothing to the black and white of the shoe. A pair of relaxed-fit black trousers or dark raw denim works best. Let the patent leather do the talking. Since the shoe has a bulky profile, skinny jeans usually make your feet look like cruise ships. Go for a wider leg opening that sits naturally over the collar of the shoe.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
If you are ready to pull the trigger on a pair of Concords, here is how you should handle it:
- Check the Production Date: Look at the size tag inside the shoe. For the most recent major retro, you want to see dates corresponding to 2018.
- Prioritize the Sole: If you’re buying to wear, a little yellowing on the sole is actually a good thing—it means the glue is still somewhat "flexible." Pure blue soles on a 10-year-old shoe can sometimes lead to sole separation the moment you walk in them.
- Use Verification Services: Don't buy these off a random person on social media. Stick to platforms like eBay (with their Authenticity Guarantee), GOAT, or StockX. The peace of mind is worth the extra $50 in fees.
- Storage Matters: If you get a pair, keep them out of direct sunlight and away from high humidity. Use silica packets in the box to keep the moisture down and slow that yellowing process.
The Jordan 11 Concord isn't just a trend that comes and goes. It's a permanent fixture in the Hall of Fame of design. Whether you're a hardcore collector or just someone who appreciates a good story, these shoes represent the exact moment Michael Jordan became more than a basketball player—he became a brand.