Sneakerheads aren’t a new phenomenon, but they’ve gained a lot more popularity over the last few years thanks to social media and some big celebrity participants.
What’s a sneakerhead? Keep reading to find out.
Origin of the Sneakerhead
To put it simply, a sneakerhead is someone who collects sneakers. But say that to a sneakerhead and they’ll tell you it’s WAY more than that.
It’s about style, exclusivity, art, and economics.
Since the late ‘80s, sneakers have been making a scene. There were two main catalysts to this fad that perfectly coalesced: Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan and the emergence of hip hop.
The sneaker became iconic, a mainstream and underground status symbol. Only the coolest of cool had the coolest kicks. It didn’t take long for all the major brands to take notice and get in on the action.
Starting from the United States and spreading worldwide, the sneaker is more than just a shoe, it’s a subculture with its own slang, a lifestyle many aspire to, and a modern collector’s item.
Sneakers and Fashion Culture
Sneakers have evolved beyond the basketball courts and into mainstream fashion through the years. Mixing sneakers with anything BUT gym shorts may have been a faux pas — or an edgy choice — in the past, but the fashion world has since welcomed sneakers with open arms.
Look no further than Kanye West’s popular Yeezy line or Alexander McQueen’s edgy aesthetics or Prada’s luxury takes. Everyone has gotten in on the action, the sneaker is a fashion staple. The sneaker is just another tool in the fashion designer’s arsenal.
And the recent popularity of streetwear has brought sneakers back to the forefront with a vengeance.
The Rarest of the Rare
Walk into a sneakerhead meet and you’ll see people from all walks of life haggling over what — at first glance — look like normal sneakers.
But get your cash ready because normal sneakerhead finds can go for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars a pair. It’s not all about the materials and the manufacturing either, the rarest of the rare hit hundreds of thousands due to their place in the history of sports and culture.
Anything worn by Michael Jordan is a given. His Converse Fastbreaks ($190,373) from the 1984 Olympics. The Air Jordan 12s ($104,000) worn in the 1997 NBA match between Chicago and Utah where Jordan had the flu and still scored big.
Limited edition partnerships with celebrities bring home the bacon too. Drake, Eminem, Macklemore, DJ Khaled, and more all have rare collabs with Air Jordan. Pharrel and adidas. Kanye and Nike.
And if you still can’t see the value in sneakers, how the 24 carat Solid Gold OVO x Air Jordan with an estimated price tag of $2,000,000. Owned by none other than Drake.
Walk on.
