The iconic sneaker turns 30

Looking back over the years at the Nike Air Force 1 sneaker, I was overwhelmed at the array of colours and styles that have made the shoe into one of the most epic and recognisable around. The name itself is a reference to Air Force One, the plane that carries the US President - talk about setting the bar high for yourself. The sneaker I've chosen to illustrate is the high-top which comes with a velcro-securable strap.

The Air Force one made it's debut back in 1982 and was then subsequently discontinued the following year. It was then re-released in 1986. There has been in excess of 1,700 colour variations to date. The shoe was a favourite for the inner-city youth, especially in Harlem where they were given the name uptowns.