Free The Youth is entering the sneaker space as one of the most compelling new collaborators to watch in 2026. Founded in 2013 with the goal of bringing Ghanaian fashion to a global audience, the Accra-based imprint has grown far beyond its beginnings as a social media platform. It now operates as a fashion brand, creative agency, and NGO, rooted in the belief that style can function as both cultural expression and social impact.

That broader vision has already drawn the attention of Jordan Brand. After collaborating on a London-based event in early 2025, the Ghanaian collective is now set to take on a more prominent role in the Jordan universe. In Summer 2026, Free The Youth will be part of the revival of the Air Jordan 16 as it returns in a renewed retro run. Ahead of that milestone, the brand has revealed a rare preview of its design approach through an ultra-limited Air Jordan 1 Mid created exclusively for friends and family, with production capped at just 175 pairs.

The sneaker draws directly from the energy and symbolism of Ghana. Bold hits of red, yellow, and blue wrap the toe box, while a vivid orange midsole adds warmth and contrast. Oversized Free The Youth branding appears in green across the quarter panel, paired with matching green laces and a blue-and-orange FTY tag. The most meaningful detail appears at the heel, where the classic Jordan Wings logo is replaced by the Okodee Mmowere symbol from Ghana’s coat of arms, an emblem representing bravery, unity, and spiritual strength. The symbol is repeated on the insoles, while individual numbering on the inner tongue reinforces the pair’s exclusivity.

The Free The Youth x Air Jordan 1 Mid will not receive a public release and remains strictly reserved for the collective’s inner circle. The first retail collaboration between Free The Youth and Jordan Brand is expected to arrive with the Air Jordan 16 in Summer 2026. While images of that project have yet to surface, the partnership already signals a powerful meeting point between global sneaker culture and contemporary African creativity.

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