In 2010, creative director, filmmaker, and DJ Vashtie Kola made sneaker history by becoming the first woman to collaborate with Jordan Brand, designing the Air Jordan 2 Lavender. Unlike many collaborators tied to professional sports or music, Vashtie built her reputation within New York’s creative scene—working across film, fashion, nightlife, and art—making her partnership with Jordan Brand a groundbreaking moment for representation in sneaker culture.

Raised in New York City by parents who immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago, Vashtie’s multicultural background deeply shaped her personal style and creative perspective. Her work blended influences from Caribbean music, streetwear, and downtown New York nightlife, which she helped redefine in the early 2000s through events like her “1992” parties—spaces designed to celebrate individuality at a time when many nightclubs rejected sneaker culture.

Her path into the sneaker world happened almost unexpectedly. After hosting a birthday party featuring a cake modeled after the Air Jordan 3 Black Cement, a conversation with a friend working at Jordan Brand led to a design opportunity celebrating the anniversary of the Air Jordan 2. The resulting “Lavender” colorway reflected her personal identity, using violet tones to represent the blend of feminine and masculine energy while incorporating silver accents that symbolized Jordan Brand’s milestone anniversaries.

More than just a sneaker collaboration, the project marked a cultural shift—proving that influence in sneaker culture could come from creative vision rather than athletic performance. Today, Vashtie’s Jordan 2 remains a landmark moment in both sneaker and New York creative history, opening doors for future women collaborators across the industry.