Peter Moore, who helped launch Air Jordan 1 for Nike and reinvent Adidas in the nineties, passed away on Friday at 78. The news was revealed in statements from Nike and Adidas.
“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 Howard White, Jordan Brand vice president.
“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.”
After adding Nike as a client of his design studio in 1977, Moore officially joined Nike as its first brand creative director in 1983. In addition to designing shoes, Moore had a prominent role in creating campaigns and designing logos, including co-designing the Wings logo and the Jumpman logo with Bruce Kilgore. The Air Jordan 1, considered the most important sneaker in history, experienced a revival in the mid-2010s and continues to rank among best-seller sneakers. Moore is also credited with designing the Nike Dunk, another 1985 release that experienced a resurgence in recent years.
Moore left Nike in 1987 when he and fellow Nike veteran Rob Strasser formed Sports, Inc., a brand-building consulting agency. Shortly after, Moore and Strasser were contacted by Adidas to revive the brand, which led to Moore and Strasser creating the Adidas Equipment line in March 1991. The company was acquired by Adidas AG in 1993 and laid the groundwork for Adidas America.
Moore was widely known as creative director at Adidas America, and Strasser’s successor, following his death in 1993. Strasser launched the Adidas Americas in Portland in the 1990s.
At Adidas, Moore is credited with the launch of the EQT line, a significant campaign for the brand. Moore also created multiple logos, including the three-stripes “mountain” logo, which was used for Adidas Equipment at the time but now serves as the brand’s primary trademark.
In 1998, Moore retired from Adidas to focus on art and printmaking, though he remained a consultant for several years.
Moore is survived by his wife and three sons. His family asked that donations be made to the Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children’s Hospital or the Oregon Junior Golf Association instead of flowers.
Photo courtesy Adidas
