IS SNEAKERS MANIA!!! | Beatrice Brandini Blog

Vintage Sneaker

“Sneakers” by Beatrice Brandini

Some months ago, in America, a pair of sneakers were auctioned for 71 thousand and 533 dollars (about 64 thousand euro!), Reaching an all-time record. This news makes us think about what the market for this sector is thriving and how many fans there are, not only (as you might think) for a pair of Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik …

The sneakers are SHOES of the present and the future, completely cleared from their sporting context.

Air Jordan Nike

Brandblack

New Balance

Adidas Y3 by Yamamoto

Many years ago the sneakers were not an object of worship, were not fashionable and above the offer, and the following choice for the consumer, was very limited. There was a shoe for running, one for playing football or basketball, one for just being comfortable.

Puma King by Jil Sander

Adidas by Raf Simons

Converse by Missoni

Then came the technologies with subsequent variations, but most came Jil Sander at the end of the nineties that has “signed” a historic shoe Puma, the King, and she has (it’s) changed everything … I was there, in the literal sense, because I was working for the German company in those years (a partnership that lasted 13 years!), and as I was sick of fashion (much more than now) I knew immediately that it was a turning, for us to Puma and the entire sports industry.

Adidas Stan Smith rainbow by Pharrell Williams

Adidas supershell by Pharrell Williams

Puma Mihara

Adidas Original Stan Smith by Raf Simons

Puma by Alexander McQueen

Then came Yamamoto with Adidas and Y3, Stella McCartney (Adidas), Alexander McQueen and Sergio Rossi (Puma), Raf Simons (Adidas), Kenzo (Vans), Missoni (Converse), Riccardo Tisci (Nike) …; artistic collaborations such as those with Philippe Stark (Puma), Keith Haring Foundation (Reebok), Murakami (Vans) … ; pop stars like Jamiroquai (Adidas), Pharrell Williams (loving him from twenty years I had reported to the artistic director of Puma International, he was frontman of NERD, already extremely charismatic and talented, now man Adidas …), Noel Gallagher (Adidas) Kanye West (Nike and Adidas), Paolo Nutini (Puma) …

Adidas by Kanye West

Adidas by Rick Owens

But I don’t believe, as many claim, that the reason for this incredible and growing success lies in technology, it has probably improved product performance, especially through new materials, finalizing the performance to levels never reached before, but if it were only this sneakers & C. would remain where they were, or in stadiums, in gyms, in playgrounds …

Nike Air Jordan

Puma Suede

Nike Air Max

The sneakers have evolved into full nineties with the advent of sports icons with whom it was easy (dreaming) identify (among them Michael Jordan), groups of hip hop and R & B that became the voice of “minorities” and the phenomenon of street style …, a desire to wear comfortable but aesthetically beautiful clothes and shoes.

Adidas Yeesy

New Balance made in England

Nike Air Max Platinum

New Balance suede and tweed

Now every designer or luxury brands (including historical ones and extremely chic as Chanel or Dior) develops its own line of sneakers, they are on the catwalk, on the fashion advertising, and it is easy, even usual, to find them in the completion of a pinstripe or a long dress …

Vans by Takashi Murakami

Puma by Mihara

Adidas by Jeremy Scott

Many years ago the well-known owner of the beautiful and historic footwear stores Raspini of Florence, told me “shoes extraction sports will be the future, whether we like it or not … therefore every brand will need to adapt ..”. He was right!

Beautiful “celebrities” with sneakers…

Vintage sneakers advertising

Good life to all!

Beatrice

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