Jason Mayden Returns to Jordan Brand as Chief Design Officer

Industry veteran Jason Mayden is officially returning to Jordan Brand as their new Chief Design Officer. Prior to his most recent role as President of Fear of God Athletics, which he held for two years, Mayden held roles at Nike Inc. for nearly 14 years. He started with the Swoosh in 201 and ended his stint with the company in 2014 as their senior global design director of Jordan Brand.

After Nike, Mayden was still very much involved in the footwear and fashion industry. His time at Nike Inc. saw him work on various projects, including the Air Jordan 2009 or the Air Jordan 24. Between Nike and Fear of God Athletics, Mayden focused on growing his own company and was even a visiting lecturer at USC’s Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy. In 2017, he also founded children’s footwear brand, Super Heroic, on top of his own design collective, Trillicon Valley. Mayden parts ways with Jerry Lorenzo‘s Fear of God house just a year before Lorenzo has officially put out a single collection with adidas. In previous interviews by Lorenzo and even Mayden’s own LinkedIn profile, Mayden’s objective at Fear of God Athletics was really to negotiate the label’s standalone nature and multi-categorial product lineup.

Mayden’s new role with the Jordan Brand will see him take over the C-suite role from Martin Lotti, who is now the Chief Design Officer for Nike. In a post he made regarding his return on his private Instagram, he wrote, “I’m filled with gratitude to announce my return to @jumpman23 as the Chief Design Officer. It’s been an incredible 23-year journey since starting as the brand’s very first design intern. Reflecting on the path that’s brought me here is truly awe-inspiring. Thinking back to my childhood dreams growing up on the Southside of Chicago, it’s surreal to see them materialize. We’ve come way too far, there’s no stopping us now. For those navigating tough times, hold onto hope. A wise homie once said, ‘nice guys don’t finish last, they outlast.’”