Air Jordan VI x Aleali May

Throughout 2016 and 2017, a particularly light, warm shade of pink was given the nickname, “millennial pink.” The trendy hue, viewed as androgynous and versatile, quickly began populating films, runways, and social media posts. It was interpreted as a peaceful presence during turbulent, rapidly-changing times.

Aleali May was styling, modeling, and traveling the world when she noticed millennial pink and thought it had staying power. “I noticed that a lot of men’s fashion brands were using millennial pink,” says Aleali. “It’s a color that’s hard and soft at the same time. Its popularity shows how the youth are confident wearing any color they want.”

Aleali herself is known for pairing street and luxury clothing, as well as both men’s and women’s pieces. “When I was younger, I wore anything I wanted, as long as it didn’t seem too girly,” she says. Though hot pink was an occasional exception for her nails, she didn’t fully embrace pink until she was older and saw its genderless potential through styling.

In the beginning, Aleali May and Jordan Brand applied millennial pink to the Air Jordan VI as a friends and family shoe. “The Air Jordan VI is one of my favorite Jordans,” says Aleali. “It looks like a really masculine shoe, but its features are soft. When I think of the Air Jordan VI, it's in black, white, or red. This pink one is so different from what we're used to seeing and really represents the fearlessness of this generation.”