After working in the fashion industry and seeing the conditions in Asian factories, they decided to go another way, a longer, slower and tougher one.
Asian factories had the trained workers to turn out these fairy-princess confections at a reasonable price.
But the decision may exacerbate concerns about the harsh conditions in Asian factories that churn out goods for American companies.
Additionally, brands like Necchi are made in their Asian factories.
The WR3A was swamped by orders from Asian factories that year.
Nor have the attacks by critics of labor practices in Nike's Asian factories played a role in blocking American purchases.
It was produced quickly in an Asian factory by a group of workers, assembly-line style.
Following a dispute with the Japanese manufacturer, they began designing their own shoes in 1971, contracting with Asian factories.
Mr. Jordan was criticized for failing to challenge publicly Nike's labor practices in its Asian factories.
But competition with Asian and Indian factories is intense, and wages are depressed.