Nigel Sylvester has always been more than just a BMX rider, showcasing his style while mounted on his bike. The Queens-born athlete has evolved into a cultural architect. From redefining the limits of professional BMX riding to bridging the worlds of fashion, sport, and storytelling, Sylvester’s creative universe launches his latest project.
The Brick by Brick collection with Jordan Brand is a testament to his journey, cementing his influence across multiple creative spaces while debuting his sartorial handle.
At the heart of the collection is Sylvester’s take on the Air Jordan 4 dipped in a lush, brick-red colorway – Firewood Orange, Cinnabar, and Sail, an off-white color – a sneaker with deep roots in basketball and streetwear. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Sylvester reimagines the silhouette through the lens of ‘motion,’ bringing a BMX rider’s perspective to a classic design.
His journey with Jordan Brand isn’t new. Previously, he worked on the Jordan 4 retro model into a retooled version of the sneaker that embraced contemporary performance elements. Now, with his OG Jordan 4 collaboration, he brings things full circle by paying homage to the sneaker’s heritage while adding his signature storytelling. “It’s about evolution,” Sylvester said. “Connecting the past with the present and acknowledging the history while bringing the story forward.”
“I was on the Nike side of the business, and in 2021, I signed with Jordan Brand as their first-ever BMX athlete,” he reflects. “From there, we started working on product collaborations. The first product we did was the Nike Air Ship. This is the shoe Michael Jordan wore when he first entered the league, before the Air Jordan 1.”
“I was on the Nike side of the business, and in 2021, I signed with Jordan Brand as their first-ever BMX athlete,” he reflects. “From there, we started working on product collaborations. The first product we did was the Nike Air Ship. This is the shoe Michael Jordan wore when he first entered the league, before the Air Jordan 1.”
The Brick by Brick collection is built on the same principles. The name symbolizes Sylvester’s career, constructed without a blueprint, defying traditional paths to success in BMX. “I never put the bike down, but I also didn’t follow the competition route,” he explained. “I found my own way, and that’s what this collection represents.”
“I wanted to tell the Brick by Brick story for two reasons. First, it’s a tribute to New York City. If you move around the city, that reddish brick is everywhere. It lines our homes, parks, schools, [and] churches. It’s an underrated but iconic part of New York’s architectural fabric. When people think of NYC, they think of Yankees caps, the Brooklyn Bridge, and skyscrapers, but that red brick is woven into the foundation of the city.”
Sylvester continues, “Second, the phrase ‘brick-by-brick’ is a classic mantra. It speaks to building something gradually and carefully. That’s how I’ve built my career, and how anyone builds something meaningful. This shoe represents that mindset, not just for me but for people all over the world. Alongside the sneaker – we’re launching my first apparel collection with Jordan Brand.”
Beyond sneakers, Sylvester pushed the boundaries of Jordan Brand apparel with the Brick by Brick collection. The capsule experiments with silhouettes, proportions, and textures in a way that fuses BMX culture with high fashion. “Jordan Brand has an aesthetic we all know and love,” he said, “but I wanted to push it further. To bring my progressive approach to design, to play with movement, and to create something fresh that we haven’t seen before.”
To bring this vision to life, Sylvester staged a runway show in New York, blending BMX culture, streetwear, and hip-hop. The show opened with Loaded Lux and Murda Mook, legendary battle rappers, delivering verses that captured his journey. “That was a special moment,” he said. “I’ve been a fan of theirs for years, and having them open the show was an honor. It was about bridging gaps between battle rap, Jordan Brand, BMX, and fashion.”
For Sylvester, Brick by Brick is an extension of his storytelling. He has consistently found ways to merge movement and creativity, from his viral “GO” video series to his collaborations with major brands, like Moncler. Every piece of the collection reflects this philosophy, turning everyday motion into an art form.
“We’re just in the gym putting in work. Staying creative,” Sylvester expresses. That tireless approach has allowed Nigel Sylvester to craft a career that transcends BMX, leaving a lasting impact on fashion, sportswear, and culture.