Air Jordan 3 "Purple Haze" Adds Snakeskin Detailing

BY Ben Atkinson
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The Air Jordan 3 "Purple Haze" gets an updated tonal look with snakeskin detailing ahead of its 2027 release.

New images have surfaced showing an updated look at the Air Jordan 3 "Purple Haze." The women's exclusive is still on target for an April 3rd, 2027 release for $205, carrying the style code CK9246-500.

Infinite Lilac now covers the entire shoe in a fully purple build, running across the suede upper, patent leather lower, and outsole too. That's a shift from earlier images and leaks, which pointed to a more traditional multi-panel color-blocking approach.

The biggest update comes through added snakeskin texture. Detailed panels now cover the toe and heel sections, replacing the model's usual elephant print with a smoother, scaled finish. That texture adds some real depth to what would otherwise be a completely monochromatic build. It's a small change, but one that should catch plenty of attention from longtime Jordan 3 collectors.

A tonal outsole and matching Jumpman branding round out the design, keeping every element locked into that same lilac shade. Given how popular tonal Jordan 3 releases have performed in the past, this update should only help demand once release day arrives.

Air Jordan 3 “Purple Haze”

Snakeskin detailing has become a go-to move for elevating Jordan Brand's more fashion-forward releases lately. Adding it here helps "Purple Haze" feel more premium than a standard colorway swap.

This pair continues to fall under Jordan Brand's broader Spring 2027 women's exclusive lineup. Full tonal builds like this one have become increasingly common across that category specifically, especially as Jordan Brand keeps expanding its non-traditional colorways.

The Air Jordan 3 itself remains one of Tinker Hatfield's most celebrated designs, marking his first-ever work for Michael Jordan back in 1988. With its 40th anniversary approaching in 2028, Jordan Brand appears to be leaning into more experimental colorways ahead of that milestone.

These updated images are still considered early looks rather than final retail photos. Expect official confirmation from Jordan Brand as the release date gets closer. Overall, we're still along way out from this release but the early looks are certainly promising.

About The Author
Benjamin Atkinson is a sneaker content writer at HotNewHipHop, where he has been covering the latest sneaker releases and industry news since 2023. With a deep understanding of the sneaker market, Ben regularly reports on exclusive sneaker drops, collaborations, and trends shaping the footwear world. From covering the return of top Nike releases to writing about Travis Scott's famous Air Jordan collaboration, Ben delivers in-depth content for the sneakerhead community. He also brings valuable insights from his former sneaker reselling business, Midwest Soles, which sharpens his expertise on the market.

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