A SHORT STORY OF SssssssNEAKERS!

It doesn't matter if you're a total sneakerhead or an average person, you still would be shocked when confronted with the whole variety of sneakers they have on sold in sports shoe shops. There is a number of fresh designs, old school favourites, limited edition models and 'rare' shoes. Sneakers started their 'career' as sporty shoes and then moved into popular culture defining people's style, personality and their place in today's society. Most popular sneakers labels fill collectors' wardrobes by releasing or reissuing particular designs or collaborate with urban fashion brands (like Stussy or Evisu) and create shoes which quite often are sold within a few hours.

Almost every type of sneakers can be associated with a certain music style or subculture. Hip-hop and rap played here a vital role. Many rappers in their tracks cite their favourite brand and model of shoes. Skateboarders, for example, have their place in the sneaker culture as well. Designers, using new technologies, create shoes that answer their needs connected with skateboarding. Converse All Star or Adidas Superstar were produced with basketball in mind. Many sneakers fans though are more interested in shoes than sport itself. That's why top brands decide on using a celebrity endorsement when launching new models. It really works! There must be plenty of people around the world who haven't seen a single game of basketball, but can recognise Michael Jordan and sneakers he promoted without any problems.

Sneakers brands usually answer to new trends as quickly as possible. Once people got crazy about street skateboarding in the 1980s Adidas created the Suoerskate; straight after aerobics became popular in the early 1980s Reebok
released the Freestyle (which are said to be one of the most popular sneakers of all time).

The history of sneakers started in 1923 with the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star. But it was the end of 19th century that they first used rubber for a shoe sole.

People started collecting sneakers as soon as brands started releasing more than 1 model and then making each design in different colours. Surveys show that brand loyalty is important in the world of sneakers freaks. It turns out that people don't throw away old shoes when buying a new pair and that's how the whole story of collecting sneakers sterted for some of them. Old models can be worth lots of money nowadays. So scour your attics for a pair of old school shoes and start your adventure with sneakers!