Sneaker collecting: Difference between revisions

A '''sneakerhead''' is a person who [[collecting|collects]], trades, or admires [[sneakers]] as a [[hobby]]. A sneakerhead may also be highly experienced in distinguishing between real and fake replica sneakers. Sneaker collecting is a hobby often manifested by the use and collection of shoes made for particular [[sports]], particularly [[basketball]] and [[skateboarding]].

The birth of sneakerhead culture in the [[United States]] came in the 1980s and can be attributed to two major sources: basketball, specifically the emergence of [[Michael Jordan]] and his eponymous [[Air Jordan]] line of shoes released in 1985, and the growth of [[hip hop]] music. The boom of signature basketball shoes during this era provided the sheer variety necessary for a collecting subculture, while the hip-hop movement gave the sneakers their street credibility as status symbols.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/14/AR2007011400451_2.html|publisher=The Washington Post|title=Sneakerheads love to show off shoes|accessdate=2008-01-19 | first=Sarah | last=Skidmore|date=15 January 2007}}</ref> The sneakerhead culture has emerged in the [[United Kingdom]]<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4207606/Fans-begin-queuing-new-Kayne-West-shoe-FOUR-days-early.html Sneaker fans in Nottingham]</ref> and the [[Czech Republic]] in the last decade.{{When|date=March 2017}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Czech 'sneakerheads' flaunt their best trainers|url=http://www.ceskapozice.cz/en/news/society/czech-%E2%80%98sneakerheads%E2%80%99-flaunt-their-best-trainers|publisher=Czech Position|accessdate=24 June 2011}}</ref>

==Styles and marketing==

[[File:閉店 売りつくしセール (5890499012).jpg|thumb|right|Store display of new release Nike sneakers.]]

Several popular brands and styles of sneakers have emerged as collectors items in the sneakerhead [[subculture]]. Popular collections include [[Air Jordan]]s, [[Air Force 1 (shoe)|Air Force Ones]], Nike Dunks, [[Nike Skateboarding]] (SB), Nike Foamposites, [[Nike Air Max]], and more recently, the [[Nike Air Yeezy]]. Shoes that have the most value are usually exclusive or limited editions. Also certain color schemes may be rarer relative to others in the same sneaker, inflating desirability and value. More recently, sneaker customs, or one-of-a-kind sneakers that have been hand-painted, have become popular as well.

[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[Adidas]], [[New Balance]], and [[Reebok]] also have custom shops where people can choose from the color, lettering, and materials that they want.

Nike continues to use basketball stars to market new sneakers. In 2011, the Zoom Hyperdunk was introduced through [[Blake Griffin]] (a [[Los Angeles Clippers]] player and NBA 2010–11 [[NBA Rookie of the Year]]). Nike has also employed celebrities from outside of the sports world to design and market new shoe lines. One example is the Nike Air Yeezy, designed by rapper [[Kanye West]] and released in 2009, as well as the Nike Air Yeezy II, released in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kim|first=John|title=Nike Air Yeezy 2 – Officially Unveiled|url=http://sneakernews.com/2012/05/30/nike-air-yeezy-2-officially-unveiled/|publisher=Sneakernews.com|accessdate=1 May 2014}}</ref>

Skateboarding, since about 2005, has been a major player in the shoe collecting industry especially with the variety introduced with the Nike SB and Supra product lines. Jordan brands most popular models include the jordan 1, 3, 4, and 11.

==Sneakerhead subculture==

The sneakerhead subculture originated in America during the late [[1980s in fashion|1980s]] and had gone global by the end of the [[1990s in fashion|1990s]]. Hardcore sneaker collectors in Britain, Europe,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jan/24/ebay-paypal-selling-parcel-delivery-claims-sendit Ebay fails to deliver]</ref> and the US<ref>[http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/05/05/sneaker-investment/ Sneaker investment]</ref> buy online and go to outlets, sneaker events, swapmeets, parties, and gatherings in search of rare, deadstock, vintage, and limited edition shoes to invest in.<ref>[http://uk.askmen.com/style/fashion_trends/the-best-sneakers-to-invest-in/converse-chuck-taylor.html Sneakers to invest in]</ref> Originally popular among urban black youth and teenage white skateboarders, by the 21st century, it had also gained a sizeable Asian following especially in Malaysia,<ref>[http://masses.com.my/the-different-types-of-sneakerheads-we-meet-in-malaysia/ Malaysian sneakerheads]</ref> India, and China.<ref>[https://uk.news.yahoo.com/nike-fan-buys-his-first-flat-by-pawning-collection-of-283-pairs-of-air-jordan-trainers-112230484.html#h0Seqgi Nike fan pawns trainers to buy flat]</ref>

Common contemporary sneakerhead apparel includes Nike Air Jordans, Air Yeezys, Nike SBs, [[DC Spartan]]s, [[Supra (brand)|Supra]] [[Sky-Top]]s, [[Vans]],<ref>[http://uk.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_400/466_the-dos-and-donts-of-sneakers.html Dos and Donts of sneakers]</ref> designer [[sportswear (fashion)|sportswear]], [[True Religion (clothing brand)|True Religion]] [[slim fit jeans]], backwards [[baseball cap]]s, red [[high-top]]s with fluorescent or reflective white stars,<ref>[http://in.askmen.com/fashion/1112098/article/converse-introduces-chuck-ii-reflective-print-coll Converse introduces Chuck II]</ref> [[Skullcandy]] headphones, [[leggings]], slouched crew socks, and [[Keds]] (for girls), [[Aviator sunglasses]], [[waffle plaid]] shirts, [[throwback uniform|throwback]] [[basketball]] singlets, tracksuits, [[Nike Elite]] socks, cosmic print T-shirts, hoodies, and [[Nixon (company)|Nixon]] watches.<ref>[http://uk.askmen.com/fashion/mens-watches_600/606_nixon-watches-watch-snob.html Nixon Watches]</ref>

As of 2016, the most desirable<ref>[http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2013/12/20/why-a-sneakerhead-destroyed-his-rare-air-jordans/ Attention whore destroying expensive sneakers]</ref> colors for sneakers and apparel were black,<ref>[http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/28/why-sneakers-such-as-yeezys-are-a-solid-investment-stockx.html Sneakers are a solid investment]</ref> red,<ref>[http://www.npr.org/2015/07/14/422681151/new-exhibit-laces-together-sneakers-and-history Sneaker exhibit]</ref> and white<ref>[http://uk.complex.com/sneakers/2015/05/air-jordan-1-laser-custom-fragment Air Jordan Laser]</ref> due to their longstanding association with late 1980s [[new wave music]], the [[Michael Jordan]] era of basketball,<ref>[http://masses.com.my/the-air-jordan-9-low-bred/ Jordan low bred]</ref> and [[old-school hip hop]].<ref>[http://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/20160130/NEWS/160139900 Sole Sensation]</ref>

===Sneakerhead slang===

{{Refimprove section|date=March 2017}}

During the [[2010s in fashion|2010s]], sneakerheads influenced by [[hip hop fashion]] and [[Skate punk|skater subculture]] began to develop their own jargon. Commonly used words include:

{{Col-list|2|

*"Bred" – black and red sneakers

*"B Grade" – shop-worn seconds sold at a discount<ref>[http://osneaker.com/glossary Sneaker glossary]</ref>

*"Coke whites" – pristine white sneakers

*"Crispy" – clean

*"Deadstock" – pair of sneakers that has never been worn

*"Dope" – fashionable

*"Feezy" - fake Yeezys

*"Fire" – very good

*"Fresh" – new and cool

*"Goat" – greatest of all time

*"Garms" – clothes

*"Grail" – very rare sneakers, as in [[Holy Grail]]

*"GR" – general release, or common

*"Heat" – rare sneakers that draw looks

*"Hypebeast" – [[trendies]] who only buy the latest release. Hypebeasts buy whatever the celebrities are wearing and tend to copy people like Kanye West.

*"Jumpman" – basketball player Michael Jordan

*"Ice" – sneakers with transparent soles

*"Savage" -

*"Instacop" – impulse buying

*"Kicks" – shoes

*"L" – loss/unable to purchase

*"Lit up" – great

*"Nib" – unworn, new in the box

*"OG" – original, derived from the term "original gangster"

*"Quickstrikes" – limited edition sneakers and prototypes with a regional early release, especially Nikes,<ref>[http://www.gq.com/story/five-steps-to-reselling-sneakers-online GQ guide to selling sneakers]</ref> and are highly desirable<ref>[http://www.highsnobiety.com/2016/03/25/best-sneakers-air-max-con-new-york-2016/ High Snob]</ref> status symbols for American sneaker collectors.<ref>[http://www.sneakerwatch.com/article/021308/crazy-quickstrikes-20-most-limited-air-jordan-releases Sneaker Watch]</ref>

*"Reseller" – a person who buys large quantities of unworn popular sneakers to sell at a profit<ref>[http://uk.complex.com/sneakers/2015/11/josh-luber-campless-ted-talk Reselling sneakers]</ref>

*"Steezy" – stylish

*"Unauthorised" – counterfeit<ref>[http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/10-sneaker-terms-you-need-to-know-when-getting-into-kicks-7482322 Phoenix New Times]</ref>

*"W" – win/successful purchase

*"Wild" – amazing

*"Yeezy" – sneakers designed by rapper Kanye West<ref>[http://www.thecoveteur.com/2015/05/12/sneaker-guide/ Sneaker guide]</ref>

}}

==Industry growth==

The sneakerhead market has begun to manifest itself in different venues. The growth of online retailing and auction sites has provided sneaker collectors with new methods to find the rarest shoes. Stores such as Suplex in [[Philadelphia]], the online site HG Kicks, and Flight Club in [[New York City]] offer rare and exclusive sneakers, and take inventory from the public, selling sneakers on consignment. Jordan Geller opened the Shoezeum in [[San Diego]], a {{convert|9,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} gallery of collector sneakers. Sneakercon is a popular sneaker event. At Sneakercon, shoes can be bought, traded, or sold between people attending the event. Sneakercon has events in cities across the [[United States]] and [[Europe]]. [[Foot Locker]] launched Sneakerpedia.com, a [[wiki]] based online community for shoe collectors.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sigel|first=Tago|title=Sneaking Into The Big Apple|url=http://www.rwdmag.com/2011/06/online-feature-sneaking-into-the-big-apple/|publisher=RWD Magazine|accessdate=1 July 2011}}</ref> NSB developed an online sneaker marketplace.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sneaker Marketplace|url=http://market.n-sb.org|accessdate=21 February 2013}}</ref>

A large [[counterfeit]] supply chain has developed.

As a part of their Student College program, [[Carnegie Mellon University]] has offered an official course in the history of sneaker collecting called Sneakerology 101.<ref>{{cite web|last=Houck|first=Abby|title=It's a Shoe-In|url=http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/creativity/2009/winter/its-a-shoe-in.shtml|publisher=Carnegie Mellon University|accessdate=1 July 2011}}</ref>

==See also==

*''[[Just for Kicks (2005 film)|Just for Kicks]]''

*[[2010s teenage fashion]]

==References==

{{Reflist|3}}

==Further reading==

*Michael Khan, "[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20040928-0500-life-sneakers.html Sneakerheads show sole devotion to footwear]", ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'' (September 28, 2004).

*Richard A. Martin, "[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/11/nyregion/thecity/11snea.html?pagewanted=all&ei=5090&en=f700166671d00121&ex=1247284800&partner=rssuserland The Rebirth of the New York Sneakerhead]", ''The New York Times'' (July 11, 2004).

*Michael Tunison, "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/16/AR2007021602181_pf.html 'Sneakerheads' Kick It Up a Notch in Search for That Rare Pair]", ''Washington Post'' (Saturday, February 17, 2007): D01.

*Eric Wilson, "[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE1DB1630F930A15750C0A9609C8B63 Front Row; Sneakerhead Bonanza]", ''The New York Times'' (March 23, 2006).

*Bloomberh, "[https://www.bloomberg.com/video/85277300 Sneaker Culture and Street Wear on Bloomberg TV]", ''Bloomberg TV'' (January 31, 2012).

*Cool Hunting, "[http://www.coolhunting.com/culture/where-the-ladie-1.php 'Where the Ladies At']", ''Cool Hunting'' (October 11, 2005).

==External links==

*[http://www.streetfame.org/styl/sneakerhead-university/ Sneakerhead University on StreetFame.org - series about sneakers etc.]

{{Contemporary African-American culture}}

[[Category:Collecting]]

[[Category:Fashion]]

[[Category:Sneaker culture]]

[[Category:Uses of shoes]]

[[Category:1980s fashion]]

[[Category:2010s fashion]]

[[Category:Hip hop fashion]]