The elephant print is what makes an Air Jordan 3 an Air Jordan 3. Jordan Brand is swapping it out on this one.
## What leaked New images from @zSneakerHeadz surfaced Sept. 26, per HotNewHipHop, showing an updated women's Air Jordan 3 "Purple Haze." These are early looks, not official retail photos. Treat the details as unconfirmed until Nike posts them.
- Model: Women's Air Jordan 3
- Nickname: "Purple Haze"
- Colorway: Infinite Lilac
- Style code: CK9246-500
- Retail: $205
- Expected release: Friday, April 3, 2027
## What changed Earlier leaks pointed to a more traditional multi-panel color block. The new images go fully tonal: Infinite Lilac on the suede upper, the patent leather mudguard, the Jumpman and the outsole.
The headline change is the texture. Scaled snakeskin panels cover the toe and heel, exactly where the elephant print would normally be. Per Athlon's breakdown, ostrich-style texture runs along the eyestays and collar. So it's suede, patent, snake and ostrich on one shoe, all in one color.
## Why it matters The AJ3 turns 40 in 2028. Tinker Hatfield's first Jordan is the shoe that kept MJ at Nike, and House of Heat notes Jordan Brand is already splitting 2027 into heritage pairs (White Cement, Do The Right Thing on March 27) and modern ones like this. The women's line is where Jordan experiments. The women's "Fireside" 3 drops this Saturday on the same CK9246 code family, and it's the pair everybody's chasing.
## The take Purists will say elephant print is the whole point, and they're right that it's the model's signature. But tonal AJ3s have sold every time, and a lilac snakeskin 3 is aimed at a buyer who wasn't around in 1988 and doesn't care that she wasn't. It's six months out and still unconfirmed. Wait for the Nike photos before you decide.
## Sources - HotNewHipHop, Sept. 26, 2026: Air Jordan 3 "Purple Haze" Adds Snakeskin Detailing - House of Heat, Aug. 21, 2026: Air Jordan 3 "Purple Haze" Retro Expected April 2027 - Athlon Sports, Sept. 2026: Air Jordan 3 'Purple Haze' release date and where to buy

