The 2005 Nike SB "Pigeon" Dunk holds claim to one of the most infamous sneaker releases of all time. Designed by Jeff Staple, the shoes released in a limited fashion exclusively at his Reed Space store in NYC, and caused a riot. The "Pigeon" concept returned in 2017 with the release of a black version of the colorway. Today, Staple took to social media to show off a collection of samples that didn't make it into production.
One of the rejected versions featured an entirely new white and black color blocking of the upper which Staple felt looked more like a Panda than a Pigeon. The others include more subtle differences, like the tongue's blacked-out logo replacing the "Pigeon Pink" Swoosh and multi-branded insole. Check out images of the samples below.
Rejected Sample No. 2.
Made two major 11th hour decisions right before production started.
1. Put our brand logos aside & respect the OGs with the original Zoom Air sock liner art.
2. Make the Swoosh on the tongue—ONLY THE SWOOSH—Pigeon Pink.
⚫️🐦👌🏽 https://t.co/AincANk4Y5 pic.twitter.com/GkwrXnowys
Rejected Sample No. 3.
These beauties were 99% there. But in the end, they didn't make the final cut. Can anyone spot the subtle difference between these & the finished product?#devilisinthedetails https://t.co/HxAZyzeJ8I pic.twitter.com/4PJvvEU1cQ
