This International Women’s Day, we’re homing in on the sneaker world’s most inspiring female creatives. Their efforts and innovations signal seismic shifts in the industry and make it a damn exciting time to be a female sneaker lover. We were proud to spotlight a number of these women in the current edition of Sneaker Freaker magazine, and will continue to sing their praises and spotlight achievements with zeal because, as it’s easy to see, the future is female.
Hit the links, follow their accounts and take note.
EMILY OBERG
Emily Oberg (the influencer who isn't an influencer) gives next-gen sneakerheads a role model alternative to old dudes in NT denim. She's managed to thread her love for sneakers through her media and styling work, most recently representing Nike at their Makers of the Game event.
Follow Emily here.
REINA KOYANO
Reina Koyano brings sneakers to life with fierce female energy. Strong, sensual and striking in equal measure, her illustrations reimagine classic sneakers as badass female figures. Reina’s Sole Fatale designs and all-round insane talent have caught the eye of major industry players, including DJ Khaled and atmos. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for the artist and her girl gang of artworks.
Follow Reina here.
SARAH ANDELMAN
As co-founder of Colette, Sarah Andelman’s impact on the landscape of the streetwear and sneaker world has been nothing short of colossal. Sarah helped blur the lines between high and low, opening up a whole new vein of personal expression that now dominates today’s fashion.
Follow Sarah here.
ALLYSON FELIX
A demon on the track, Allyson Felix took three World Championship titles before snaring Olympic gold in 2012. She's at her best when in performance footwear, but still manages to flex by wearing sprint spikes like these Nike Zoom Superfly Flyknit Gyakusous. Her Instagram description says it best: 'Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.'
Follow Allyson here.
RIHANNA
Creative director of PUMA's womenswear and all-round lady lord Riri is a venerated OG who has done more for the women's sneaker scene than most. Her PUMA collection delivers weird and obscure statement-making pieces as well as it does mainstream sneakers like the Fenty Creeper. But even though she's ingrained in the industry, she won't hesitate to go in on anyone for wearing trash shoes.
Follow Rihanna here.
TIFFANY BEERS
Tiffany Beers is the woman responsible for some of the most innovative projects to explode out of Nike's secret Innovation Kitchen, including the self-lacing HyperAdapt. Though she's since left Nike to work with Tesla, she stands as one of the most important footwear designers in history.
Follow Tiffany here.
PHOEBE LOVATT
Phoebe Lovatt is a boss. A journalist and author, Phoebe moderated Virgil Abloh's 'The Ten' interview series and designed a Nike Cortez collection named after the International Girl Crew she's a part of. You can expect big things to come from this one.
Follow Phoebe here.
RACHEL MUSCAT
You know how adidas Originals has been crushing the market in recent years? Well, Rachel Muscat can claim a tidy slice of that credit. As the brand’s director of icon collaborations, it’s Rachel’s directives and vision that spawned mega partnerships with the likes of Pharrell and Kanye. We could go on and on, but we’d be here all week.
Follow Rachel here.
MINISWOOSH
It can be hard to stand out in the crazy-crowded world of sneakers let alone the wild word of creative. Yet Australian-born, London-based Alex — miniswoosh — is crushing both. Through repurposing and reimagining everyday items and materials from Nike duffle bags to 2 Minute Noodle wrappers, Alex is redefining not only ‘second-hand’ but ‘clothing’ itself.
Follow miniswoosh here.
ASHIMA SHIRAISHI
Ashima makes rock climbing look cool. The teenager has incorporated streetstyle into her sport by using Supreme bogo stickers to mark her holds and attacking easier climbs laced in sneakers like Comme Des Garçons VaporMax.
Follow Ashima here.
