LUXURY SNEAKERS!

Are we really about to start dressing like Steven Spielberg with moonboots and an ankle pouch to hold our spare change for the hoverboard? Probably not, but it won’t stop some kids from dying trying. Perhaps this is all just indicative of a minority move towards a more mature, and dare I say it, fashion-reflective, rather than sports-driven, vibe. Not all of us want to wear t-shirts anymore. Or flashy, sporty kicks with jacked-up air bubbles. Some people call it growing up, others call it ‘cut and sew’. It’s merely a changing of the generational guard and a jump-off point to a new destination.

With so many brands priming the pump, the sheer overwhelming array of options in the market means that at any one time, dozens of trends and style directions are simultaneously happening across different continents. It’s a nightmare for store buyers and brands alike. Add to that recognition the reality that the retro market is by its very nature, both infinite and stagnant, and you can see that the light at the end of the tunnel for many might actually be boat shoes made in Milan by a geriatric cobbler rather than the latest boombastic Le Bron model from Beaverton. Prestige exists purely in the eye of the beholder.

So it is clear the two worlds have collided, but what happens from here is anyone’s guess. These heavy weight high-fashion hitters have been around for decades (or more) and even toddlers recognise their trademarks, but only a rare breed can lay claim to a deeper understanding of their myriad histories. Whilst I’ve done my best to lob a few haymakers, it’s now safe for me to hand the reins over to Claw Money, Tee at Trashbags, Gabriella and the awesome French folks over at le Black Rainbow to let them take you through a potted history of the high falutin’ high fashion world. Thanks to them, this feature came together... Keep your 24kt laces loose!

Woody
Sneaker Freaker Ed.