Wallkill grad designs Jordan footwear, apparel
By Justin Rodriguez
Times Herald-Record
Mike DiTullo sits with his feet up on his desk daydreaming and doodling on a sheet of scrap paper.
He's no slacker.
DiTullo is just doing his job.
DiTullo, Wallkill High Class of 1994, is a designer for Michael Jordan's signature apparel brand – Jordan – owned by Nike. It's OK for him to veg at his desk at Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. That's where DiTullo comes up with some of his best ideas.
"I get to sit around and dream up what (Nike) puts out next," says DiTullo, 28. "I guess that's the best way to put it."
DiTullo is working on a top-secret sneaker with one of Jordan's poster boys – Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. He's scheduled to meet with Jeter to discuss the design later this month. The Jeter shoe is set to be released in the fall of 2006.
DiTullo has already traded ideas with Jordan. He was one of 10 Nike staffers in a conference room in Beaverton last month with His Airness discussing details of the Jordan XXI sneaker – set to hit stores in February 2006.
"MJ, well, I call him Mr. Jordan when he's in the room, is a normal guy," says DiTullo, who has worked for brand Jordan for six months after a two-year stint at Nike. "He was down to earth and accessible. When it comes to designs, (Jordan) always wants to know why. He's very involved in the process."
When he's not sitting at his desk, DiTullo can be found in cities around the globe, such as Paris, London, Miami, San Diego and Los Angeles. Nike sends him off as many as six times a year to see what people are wearing, what's trendy and to develop new ideas. DiTullo also works with Jordan customers, such as the national champion University of North Carolina men's basketball team. He went to Chapel Hill, N.C., in January to discuss performance and style aspects of sneakers with the team.
DiTullo's apparel has appeared in ads in Playboy and Sports Illustrated for Women. Metropolis – a prominent design magazine – selected six sneakers that personified the future of footwear in this month's issue. Two pairs that DiTullo designed – the Nike City Knife III and Trackdart – were on the list.
"Mike's design skills and knowledge of design are great," says D'Wayne Edwards, Nike's footwear design director. "In a short time, he's been a key part of our design team. I knew Mike was talented, but I truly feel we got a top draft pick. What I like most about Mike is that he has a passion for what he does."
What starts as a dream at DiTullo's desk usually takes 18 months to hit the shelves. After DiTullo develops an idea, he puts it on paper and brainstorms with colleagues. DiTullo follows with a more realistic image that is sent off to the factory for production. The sneaker goes back and forth between DiTullo and the factory as many as 10 times – every last detail must be perfect – before it's ready for consumers.
"You see shoes in a store or you see someone wearing it and you're like 'Wow, I drew that,' " DiTullo says. "It's such a process. This is more than just a job. I put my heart into it."
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