Sneakers, to some they’re just a necessity in a box. To others, it’s a matter of life, death and style
Why do Londoner’s love sneakers so much?
Sneakers, to some they’re just a necessity in a box. To others, it’s a matter of life, death and style.
A mark of exclusivity and an emblem of inclusivity, sneakers are one of the most eclectic of fashion statements which represents individualism and social change.
Sneakers transcend sports and dominate street wear
From the +terraces of football fans who sported Adidas Gazelle’s in the 80s in stadiums across the UK, to sneakers being endorsed in the music industry for the first time such as Run DMC’s deal with Adidas.
Celebrity sneakers pump the hype
Even Drake has his deal with Nike, releasing a collaboration of October’s Very Own Jordan’s which sell for over £700, Kanye West runs the game with his Yeezy’s which can only be purchased via raffle and sold in the excess of £1000 and even Kylie Jenner is signed with PUMA, her trainers are easily accessible.
They play a big part in the culture as we know it as this once niche hobby has transcended into mainstream culture.
Lyst has recognized this as they opened up ‘The Greatest Sneakers of All Time Exhibition’, in the heart of urban London, Shoreditch deep diving into the obsessive nature of sneakerhead.
Collating the 25 greatest sneakers of all time as voted for by an international poll of the public and industry experts.
Camila Clarkson, a curator for Lyst worked to put the exhibition together. She believes that the sneaker culture deserves to be celebrated and London is the place for it.
Camila Clarkson, curator of the Greatest Sneakers of All Time
“Nowadays the sneaker game is more mainstream than ever before with certain sneakers selling out in mere seconds only to end up on the resell market to fetch a higher price.”
An expensive obsession
Ranging from £50 with a basic New Balance 373 all the way to £25k to the iconic Nike Air Mag as featured in Back To The Future, consumers are willing to spend insane amounts to cop a coveted pair. But how much are Londoners willing to spend on a pair they desire?
How much people are willing to spend on trainers?
Londoner’s love of sneakers will push the culture to new heights
The sneaker culture shows little signs of slowing down, the hype is bigger than ever before with social media propelling the insane demand. As Lyst put on this one of a kind exhibition in the capital, it makes for a bigger question. Are sneakers a part of London’s heritage or is it just another fad which will go away, one pair at a time?