Nike Air Jordan 1 Designer Peter Moore Dies April 2022

The footwear industry has lost a giant, as sneaker brands have confirmed to Complex the passing of legendary designer and sportswear exec Peter Moore.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Peter Moore, an iconic designer, whose legacy will forever be connected to Jordan Brand, and the sneaker culture he helped to create,” said Jordan Brand Vice President Howard “H” White. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the Moore family during this time.”

Moore, who was a creative director at Nike and Adidas, has a portfolio that includes era-defining work like the iconic Air Jordan 1. Released in 1985, the Jordan 1 is a shoe largely responsible for shaping sneaker culture as we know it today. Moore’s resume also includes the Nike Dunk, another ‘85 release that has experienced a massive resurgence on the market in recent years.

After adding Nike as a client of his design agency in 1977, Moore officially joined the company as its first brand creative director in 1983. In addition to designing shoes, Moore played a prominent role in creating campaigns and designing logos, including the Jumpman silhouette adorning Michael Jordan’s sneakers.

Moore worked for Nike until 1987, when he and fellow Nike veteran Rob Strasser left to form Sports Inc., a brand-building consulting agency. Shortly after, Moore and Strasser were contacted by officials from Adidas, who wanted to tap into their expertise to revive the brand. This ultimately led to Moore and Strasser creating the Adidas Equipment line in March 1991. More also designed another globally-recognized logo—the mountain logo, which serves as Adidas’ primary mark today.

In 1998, Moore retired from Adidas to focus on his art and printmaking, though he remained a consultant to the brand for several years.

“The Adidas family is saddened by the passing of our dear friend Peter Moore,” Adidas said in a statement. “Our hearts are with Peter’s family, friends, and everyone who knew him. Peter was a true legend and icon in our industry, and it is impossible to overstate the impact he has had on Adidas. He will be greatly missed and his legacy will live on forever.”

Moore leaves behind a legacy that cannot possibly be duplicated. Nearly 40 years after their debut, his most famous designs continue to connect with new generations of sneaker enthusiasts who will carry his work forward forever.