The New York Pigeon Dunk is often credited as the release that brought sneaker culture into the mainstream zeitgeist. One of the most sought-after pairs from the famous ‘City Pack’ which featured limited-edition sneakers released in four different metropolitan cities – New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo, the Pigeon was designed by Jeff Staple of Staple Design.

The 2005 release of this Pigeon was perhaps one of the wildest Nike drops in history. When release day came for this pair, a line formed outside of Reed Space, Jeff’s Lower East Side storefront. The crowd grew so large that the New York City Police were called to keep things in order and make sure that lucky purchasers were able to get home safely. The attention on the release made the cover of the New York Post, and to this day remains an extraordinary example of the power of streetwear hype.

The design itself is inspired by the ubiquitous New York City pigeon. Dressed in a predominantly grey upper, the pair also features a pigeon-foot-like colour on the outsole and the heel also comes complete with pigeon embroidery.

Staples’ elevation of the Dunk silhouette demonstrated that not all collectible sneakers had to feature incredibly intricate designs or futuristic technology. Moreover, a successful design could reflect the passions of the collecting community, and add to a narrative larger than the design of a single pair.