Sneakerhead Culture · first pair Air Jordans 2010 The average teenage boy owns 10 pairs of shoes....
Transcript of Sneakerhead Culture · first pair Air Jordans 2010 The average teenage boy owns 10 pairs of shoes....
Sneakerhead Culture
Sneaker-Speak
Sneakerhead n;1. A person who collects limited,
rare, OG, or flat out exclusive kicks. Usually the collection consists of Jordans or Dunks.
2. A person with background knowledge of certain sneakers.
Colorways n;1. New color combinations and
textures of old shoe releases
Deadstock adj;1. Describes a never before worn
pair of shoes
Sneakerhead History
In the US, the boom of signature basketball shoes in the late 1980s provided the
variety necessary for a collecting subculture, while the Hip-Hop movement gave the
sneakers their street value as status symbols.
Jordan sneakers were on
another level of style and
design from anything else
on the market and became
a staple in sneakerhead
collections. Joining Michael
in promotional endeavors
was Spike Lee (a.k.a. Mars
Blackmon, pictured above),
a film director with a
passion for Air Jordan
sneakers.
History con‟t
1800’s
First rubber shoes are made called Plimsolls
1908
Marquis Mills Converse opens Converse, Inc.
1917
Keds, U.S. Rubber Company releases
„The Original Sneaker‟
1968
Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman create
Blue Ribbon Sports, now Nike
1982
Nike releases the first
pair of Air Force 1
1931
Adidas produce
their first tennis
shoe
1950’s
Sneakers become
popular among
teenagers
1985
Nike endorses Michael Jordan and releases first pair Air
Jordans
2010
The average
teenage boy owns
10 pairs of shoes.
History con‟t
Yesterday‟s Sneakerhead Today‟s Sneakerhead
Motivation Finding rare gems Staying on top of popular trends
Value Generally $20-$50. Rarely spent over
$100
No price limit. Up to $6,000+
Drive The colors were “cool”, the style was
cool, and they fit cool
Purchases based on the HYPE,
not true “coolness”
Collections Bought hip-hop and skate classics
like Puma, Vans, and Adidas. Started
their collection with these or Jordans
Bought them to be worn
Buys primarily Nike. Starts
collection with Dunks, Air Max,
AF1s.
Collections are considered
investments
History con‟t
Yesterday‟s Sneakerhead Today‟s Sneakerhead
Storage Under their beds or closets Cases and personalized shelves
Direction Looked East in the Asian market and
websites
Looks toward celebrities like Kanye
West
Brands Converse, Adidas, Puma, Fila, Nike Air Jordan, Nike, A Bathing Ape,
Vans, Louis Vuitton, Reebok, Adidas
Location Local shops and athletic stores in
the mall and athletic catalogs
Upscale sneaker boutiques, online
vendors and via other sneakerheads
Key Brands
Key Pubs/Blogs/Sites
Blogs and Forums/Websites
Soleredemption.com (Blog)
Sneakerplay.com
Sneakerblogger.com
Female sneaker fiend
Niketalk.com
Sneakernews.com
Sneakerbistro.blogspot.com
Newkicksontheblog.com
Online Magazines
Solecollector.com
Freshnessmag.com
Hypebeast.com
Kicksclusive.com
Sneakerfreaker.com
Nicekicks.com
Sneakerfiles.com
Highsnobiety.com
Online Sneaker Boutiques
Sneakerhead.com
Pickyourshoes.com
Citysole.com
Kixclusive.com
Recent/Biggest Releases
?uest Love, Nike Air Questo
Release date: August 3, 2010
Price: $230.00
Nike Air Max 24-7
Release date:
Price: $120.00 - $160.00
Air Jordan Silver Anniversary Collection
Release date: May 2010
Price: $116.99 - $129.99 each
Air Jordan Spizike
Release date: June 2010
Price: $175.00
Air Jordan VI Retro Package
Release date: June 19, 2010
Price: $310.00
Converse Chinese New Year
Release date: January 1, 2010
Price: xxxxx
Retail/Boutiqe Spots
New York
1. Alife Rivington Club
2. Premium Goods
3. Nort Recon
4. Dave‟s Quality Meat
5. Memes
6. Flight Club
7. Atmos NYC
8. Classic Kicks
9. The Reed Space
10. Adidas Originals
11. Puma Store
12. About Time Boutique
13. Premium Laces
Recent/Biggest Releases
Nike Dunk SB High Premium “Skunk” Todd Bratrud
Release Date: April 2010
Price: $350.00
Nike Pigeon DunksRelease Date: February 2005
Price- $1800
•Two days before release people
camped outside of the Reed Space,
which had only 20 pair. 70 people
were in line when the doors opened.
•Those with a pair were escorted by
police to avoid the riot outside. When
the crowd left, a baseball bat and
knife were all that remained.
•Suggested retail price of $69.
Retailers charged $300. Within days,
a pair sold on eBay for $750. Price
today is around $2,000.
Nike Coraline Dunk
Release Date: January 2010
Price: $450.00
•W+K12, Nike and LAIKA
Studios conceptualized this Dunk
to celebrate the film Coraline.
•The final product was created by
artist Gian Galang and Rob
Heppler
•1,000 were available for the
lucky people who uncovered
codes on the Coraline websiteCitrus Air Jordan IX Retro
Release Date: July 2010
Price: $150.00
Dr. Seuss + Converse
Chuck Taylor All Star
Dr. Seuss
$55.00
Chuck Taylor All Star
Dr. Seuss
$65.00
Chuck Taylor All Star
Dr. Seuss
$60.00
Chuck Taylor All Star
Dr. Seuss
$55.00
• The new line of Converse Chuck
Taylors features “The Cat in the Hat”
characters and designs. The new
line dropped summer 2010 and each
shoe comes with a free clinch bag,
but only when purchased from
www.converse.com. Characters
include, “One Fish, Two Fish, Red
Fish, Blue Fish,” “The Cat in the Hat”
and more.
Events
Sneaker Pimps Tour 2010
An event that goes to various
cities worldwide to display rare
and vintage sneakers. Artists
customize shoes and
celebrities are present at each
event.
Dunksxchange 2010
A tour that goes to major
cities for people to buy, sell,
and trade sneakers.
Kixpo
This event is primarily for
avid sneaker collectors to
show off their personal
collections. Also, it promotes
up-start clothing lines and
local boutiques.
Events
Future Sole Design CompetitionSneaker Con Times Square
Thousands attend to check out exclusive
sneakers for sale by the industry‟s biggest online
venders like Kixclusive, Nice Kicks, Citysole and
more. Many attendees walk around with their
own pairs hoping to find prospective buyers or
traders.
Jordan and Nike designers review
submissions from contestants and
pick a winner who will receive $5,000
in prizes and a $5,000 school grant.
Interviews
Just for Kicks DocumentaryPresents the underlying drivers and players that fueled
the global sneakers revolution and its $26 Billion global market. Just For Kicks offers an insider‟s history of hip hop‟s most treasured fashion item; revealing behind the scene stories with exclusive testimonies and the charismatic personalities that influence pop culture.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6444453634416523444#docid=-2250530159326881583
Video: Sneakerheads Who Keep Separate Apartments for Their Shoes
1,000 sneakerheads gathered in the Times Square Arts Center to buy, sell, and trade their collections of sneakers at the first annual SneakerCon. Watch the video to see what's hot in the world of sneakers and find out how many thousands of dollars some people are willing to spend on them.
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/03/video_snea
kerheads_who_keep_se.html
Key Figures
Early Movie Influences:Beat Street (1984)
Wild Style (1983)
Early Brand Influences:Converse
Adidas
Nike
Early hip-hop Influences:Doug E. Fresh
Run D.M.C.
Early Athletic Influences:Michael Jordan
Charles “Chuck” Taylor
Via http://www.wiretapmag.org/arts/44248/
Nike
21 Mercer Street 10013 New York (Soho)
Atmosphere: The entrance was very
unique and appealing. The music was
commercial urban sounds.
Products: They had a lot of retro
shoes that were different from what
I‟ve seen in other stores and the
layout was distinctive.
Special Features: The tribute to the
World Cup was amazing. All the
murals and graffiti that covered the
walls were interesting.
Comments: The staff wasn‟t
pleasant and barely acknowledge us
when we came into the store.
Adidas Originals
Atmosphere: Upbeat, retro and colorful with
techno music playing
Products: Adidas shoes, clothes, and
accessories
Special Features: Foosball table, Mi section,
rotating turnstile for featured shoes
Comments: The shoes were found in the very
back of store which may be a tactic to have
individuals look at all the gear as they make
their way to that area. Clean displays and nice
informative staff
136 Wooster St, 10012 New York (Soho)
Puma
521 Broadway 10012 New York (Soho)
Atmosphere: The Puma Store was colorful
and futuristic but the setup was average and
commercial universal music was playing in
the background.
Products: The sneaker selection was decent
but all the products looked the same.
Downstairs were a lot of t-shirts with unique
graphics on them.
Special Features: Their World Cup theme
was the best part of the store and the, “Love=
Football” campaign ads were really
interesting.
Comments: The staff was welcoming and
very helpful.
Flight Club
Atmosphere: Laid-back, vintage style
with hip hop music playing
Products: Jordans and Nikes, Vintage
hats and jackets
Special Features: Bench with flight
club decorations covering it, all shoes
wrapped in cellophane
Comments: They have a good variety
of shoes but it somewhat looks like
a thrift shop. It‟s cluttered and small.
Cellophane on the shoes looks tacky
but it may appeal to sneakerhead who
never wear their sneakers.
267 Lafayette, 10012 New York (Soho)
151 Orchard St., 10002 New York (Lower East Side)
Reed Space
Atmosphere: Clean, neat, almost like a museum or
art work-shop. Hip-hop music and laid back, friendly
workers
Products: Screen tees, SneakerFreaker Magazines,
cultural books, music, hats, shirts, small selection of
shoes
Special Features: Currently doing a collaboration with
Oakley, so shades were displayed in cases with
pictures featuring the history of Oakley around the
store. Magazines sold in chairs hanging from the wall.
Figurines. Design blueprints
Comments: Cool layout, original ideas, Oakley
collaboration is interesting, design blueprints are cool,
good selection of shirts but high prices.
Dave‟s Quality Meat
7 E 3rd Street 10003 New
York (East Village)
Atmosphere: The set up is very neat
and open and gave off a chill
atmosphere. Brick walls and the wood
floors were appealing. Metal music and
cool rock was playing.
Products: They have a lot of Vans,
vintage Nike dunks, very few Converse,
and a nice collection of Blazers.
Special Features: When you buy a shirt
from DQM it‟s wrapped like meat
packaging.
Comments: This store looks like it‟s
primarily for skaters. The staff wasn‟t
helpful at all.
aNYthing
51 Hester Street 10002 New York
(Lower East Side)
Atmosphere: Soft rock was playing
which gave the store a relaxed vibe. It
was located at the top of China Town.
Products: They only sell apparel that is
“aNYthing” brand. They had nice collar
shirts and cool shirt designs. The sale
items were a good buy as well.
Special Features: The ceiling lighting
was cool and caught my eye. Their wall
pictures were provocative but went with
the theme of the store and their
merchandise.
Comments: If you are a sneakerhead
this is not the store for you.
Premium Laces
68 Spring Street 10012 New
York (Soho)
Atmosphere: The workers were very
friendly and the rock music playing went with
the theme of the store and staff.
Products: They had all the new commercial
Nikes and Jordans and a great variety of
Converse Chuck Taylors. There were a lot of
t-shirts with unique graphics on them.
Special Features: The custom wall
paintings were distinctive and made the
store feel home-like.
Comments: Premium Laces would be a
good store for a sneakerhead.
Alife Rivington ClubAtmosphere: High-end
exclusive store. Very neat
and clean. Local rap and
reggae music
Products: Nikes,
Jordans, Adidas, and Alife
products.
Special Features:
Buzzer, display of fish
eating an Alife shirt, wall
of shoes on wooden
shelves, chandelier, and
red carpet.
Comments: Feels high
class, entrance is cool,
ARC2 is more laid-back
with only Alife products.
158 Rivington St., 10002
New York (Lower East
Side)
WestAtmosphere: New York hip hop music,
exclusive feel because of certain
features. Dry atmosphere.
Products: A lot of Vans in stock,
commercial Nikes, very few Jordans,
Saucony, New Balance, Converse, and
new brands like Native and Red Wing
Shoes. There was a limited amount of
exclusive Nikes.
Special Features: A red velvet rope
upon entrance. The water-colored wall
art was interesting.
Comments: The staff didn‟t greet us
when we entered. There was a good
variety of shoes.
147 West 72nd Street 10023 New York
(Upper West Side)
Atmos
Atmosphere: A small store with a big
store feel, commercial music, and
inattentive staff.
Products: Shirts, skateboards, Nike,
Jordans, Polo, Vans, Supra, Adidas,
Reebok, Timberland, and Ubiq
Special Features: Wall display of
shoes is nice.
Comments: The staff didn‟t pay
attention to customers but it‟s worth
shopping at because the store has a
good variety.
203 W. 125th St., 10027 New York (Harlem)
Premium Goods
Atmosphere: Very small store but was
clean with wood floors. It felt like I had
to get in and get out. Not meant to
browse for a long time. The music
playing was contemporary jazz.
Products: Small but good selection of
Nikes, Air Jordans, Vans, Nike jackets,
and shirts.
Special Features: Cool wall designs
and interesting decorations
Comments: Not impressive and the
worker did not greet us.
347 5th Avenue, 11215 New York
(Brooklyn)
Goliath Atmosphere: Very organized and neat. There
was local music playing. Laid back.
Products: Great collection of graphic tees, hats,
Blazers, Jordans, Supras, and Nikes. Had rare
Air Force 1s. Sick backpacks with funky
designs. Also sold skateboards.
Special Features: Their register section looked
like a bar and behind it was their hat selection
which was pretty cool.
Comments: I would definitely shop here. The
staff was welcoming and the shoe variety was
amazing.
175 East 105th Street 10029 New York (East Harlem)
Memes3 Great Jones Street 10012 New York
(Soho)
Atmosphere: The store is classy and set up
very nice. Displays in the middle draw you in.
Products: Men‟s t-shirts were in abundance
with unique designs on them. Cool clothes
with a throwback, old school style. They had
Timex calculator watches. Shoe selection is
very low and only consist of Reebok Pumps,
Doc Marten‟s, Yamamoto for Adidas, and
Timberland Abington Collection.
Special Features: Products in glass cases
brought an exclusive feel to the store.
Comments: Worker said Nikes aren‟t cool
anymore and don‟t have any exclusivity.
“Anyone can get them,” he says.
Resources Sneaker Talk
http://www.wiretapmag.org/arts/44248/
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sneakerhead
History
http://sneakernews.com/2009/06/11/michael-jordan-spike-lee-vintage-nikeair-jordan-ads
http://www.sneakerhead.com/sneaker-history-p1.html
http://sneakers.about.com/od/sneakers101/a/Sneakerhead.htm
Boutiques
http://nymag.com/shopping/features/42590/
http://www.blackbookmag.com/guides/new_york/shopping/a/features--sneakerheads
Releases
http://www.wiretapmag.org/arts/44248/
http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/2009/01/25/nike-coraline-dunk-special-edition-artist-edition/
Converse + Dr. Seuss
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2010/07/dr-seuss-meets-converse.html
Events
http://www.sneakerpimps.net/home.php
http://www.kixpo.com/index.html
www.nike.com/futuresole/index.jsp
www.sneakercon.com