Before 1985, sneakers (or tennis shoes, as my mother’s generation would call them) were a practical shoe made for playing sports or a go to shoe for going to school. Sneakers were anything but a fashion accessory, and were discouraged in most places from being worn in the workplace.
But with the emergence of the sports Heroes, specifically Michael Jordan, sneakers became more than a shoe. Jordans were the first line of non- white basketball sneakers. Wearing Jordans became a status symbol. Wearing Jordans was a way of saying “I am cool.” And if you weren’t cool, they at least made you feel like you were.
With the fascination in celebrity style, giving a shoe before its release, to a known public figure creates a buzz and excitement that is sure to guarantee a sold out product. With high anticipation, and limited demand, sneakers create a fervor that is, while some might think expensive, far cheaper to collect than say, cars. Some, with the right care and original packaging, can actually resell at a higher price (also known as deadstock).
Obviously the football cleat doesn’t create the stir a basketball shoe does, but “sneakerheads” (a knowledgeable sneaker collector) are not limited to the NBA. Take the twitter war between Devin Hester vs. Earl Bennett over who had the better sneaker collection, both of whom showed an impressive closet full of shoes. Bennett, who recently became known as a “sneakerhead” in the media, will wear his shoes at any cost, as he has been fined, not once, but twice for his orange cleats. Other NFL players, such as, Marcus Gilchrist of the San Diego Chargers and Steve Breaston of the Kansas City Chiefs, are proving to be sneakerheads by displaying their vast collection on Twitter.
Collecting sneakers is not limited to males, Victor Cruz has influenced his girlfriend Elaina Watley on her choice of footwear. The couple was spotted sitting court side at the Knicks’ game with Elaina wearing a fresh pair of Jordan Retro 4s. I myself have an interest in shoes, and while not limited to sneakers (a six inch heel catches my eye), the Jordans occupy a substantial hunk of my closet.
