Have you ever heard phrase sneakerhead?
Last decade in Poland is a milestone, sprint to catch up with West-standards, so back then lot of people were still buying clothes from States. In the 2010 when I was in high-school when I've noticed that one of my friends owns bunch of unusual shoes - pairs that's unavailable in our local or even country shops. He introduced me to whole new world of people who are interested in different kinds of sport-based and often then fashion shoes. I wasn't aware that it's a whole culture about that - in Poland it's started to grown for 2-3 years then, but West-Europe and US were already in the middle of huge movement.
At first the most valuable shoes were the collaboration between boutiques and major brands like Adidas, Nike or New Balance. The idea was that there'd be plenty of streetwear-related shops around the globe with their own community based on the region that got access to release "regular" shoe model but with it's own colors, materials and additives (special box, laces etc.). Mostly they're extremely limited like 50-350 pairs worldwide, often with even more rear friends-family releases (10-15 pairs only for shop-crew or most popular community members).
At first it was relatively small group of people who where talking about the history/details on the forums, so the idea or rarity on the mentioned above level was fine for supply-demand rule. In short period of time from my European perspective, market started to change dramatically fast and demand become much higher than supply. Major companies didn't wait long until they've started to collaborate with artists rather than aiming to small boutiques, producing "limited" products in thousands or tens of thousands pairs. Collecting become 100% global, with the monopoly of majors.
Also, the whole thing become really attractive from financial point of view when people started to resell most hyped pairs of tens of their retail value. That in my opinion changed the whole community for worse. Back in 2010 there were few releases yearly, now it's almost a daily or weekly number with prices doubled or tripled, people are using bots to buy whole stocks or even a pair of most desirable/profitable items.
Questions:
1. Are you familiar with the idea of collecting sneakers?
2. Did you think that's a good idea to make a side-income from your hobby?
3. Do you think that once collecting sneakers become mainstream it's effected sneaker-community negatively?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I convince you to make a brainstorming center out of this article.
Cheers!
Yes, I heard about it - actually saw it. Mainly on the Internet, where people bragged about what they have and how unique it is and this theme appeared in some series, but I can't remeber what exactly it was, maybe some reality show.
ReplyDeleteI think that almost every way to earn is good. If someone had an idea to earn from their hobby and there are people interested in it (who buy it) - I am happy with that person's happiness. It means that he has a flair for business and a bit of luck (I believe it must be "this" moment to succeed)
It seems to me that everyone who wants to be unique is afraid of moving to maintream, but it's really difficult to talk about something unique right now - thanks to the Internet trends are spreading very quickly.
When it comes to the impact of the transition to the mainstream on the community - I have the impression that it is not a small, vibrant community, but groups of people with same hobby broken up around the world, so the size of the group, for those already belonging to it, does not matter. Theoretically, there may be a bigger problem with getting unique shoes, but that's probably the point - make them difficult to access.
Personally, I think that community growth is good because it will make it more diverse, which will make it even more interesting.
1) Do you have any unique shoes yourself? If so - can you show what?
2) Which of unique shoes do you think are the most noteworthy and why?
Well, quite a lot interesting thoughts! I think what your point is that going to mainstream is not a destruction or setting bar higher for potential community members but just faster treadmill to catch up with everything. Answering to your question my answers might be outdated because I'm not into it so much like few years back but for now one of most valuable sneakers are Air Jordan 1 x Dior for ~$15k but of course the more rare pair the more some crazy buyer might want to pay so historically I saw some vintage pairs sold for over $100k on ebay. And at the end answering to your 1st question - my collection once quite big already had shrunk so I guess what's most unique is a pair of New Balance 577YBL from 2006 I guess (https://live.staticflickr.com/8260/8672395959_07a791d74d_b.jpg) that's been only 99 produced worldwide :)
DeleteSorry, but the photo you have inserted presents new balance like any other :D
DeleteIt seems to me that a layman like me will not appreciate :)
And Air Jordan x Dior sounds like an expensive toy, so price is not a surprise.
But I have to admit that this is quite unusual hobby and it have to be nice to find someone to share such interest.
Are you familiar with the idea of collecting sneakers?
ReplyDeleteI have heard about the idea of collecting sneakers. I think it's very popular on social media (when people want to show their gadgets off), but to be honest I'm not into it :)
Did you think that's a good idea to make a side-income from your hobby?
If there is someone who wants to buy a pair of rare shoes- why not? ;)
For me it doesn't matter if you sell shoes or hand-made jewellery - if it's your hobby I think it's a good idea to make an income.
Do you think that once collecting sneakers become mainstream it's effected sneaker-community negatively?
As Dominik said - I think that 'mainstream' strikes fear into small communities. Maybe it can increase diversity somewhat, but I think at some point it would't be sepcial at all.
Unfortunately what's easy to notice from my point of view is that diversity decreased rather than increase. When it hits majority, people struggling with their own taste and what once was about sharing own experience of individualism become brain-less copying of hyped-trends.
DeleteThis is a topic that I saw for the first time in one of the MTV shows when I was a teenager. Some well-known musician or basketball player had a collection of sneakers. Now it seems more common, because it's easier to get such shoes, especially if we have the right amount of money.
ReplyDeleteI think there is nothing better than combining your hobby with work or making money on what you like to do. I also think that working with clothes, designing them is not only an interesting and creative occupation, but also one that requires responsible decisions, because the fashion market is not only difficult and changes quickly, but also puts a great strain on the environment.
When it comes to the spread of fashion for this type of shoes, I have no opinion. I think that everyone should wear what they like - not necessarily what is most unique or expensive. Many smaller companies, including local ones, may surprise us with great projects. :)
For sure I get your point and what's interesting about smaller, local companies - the whole idea of being into sneakers is somehow related to not be like everyone else (common human pattern whatever the hobby you're into), so when the major brands like Nike or Adidas are aiming right now with their "limited editions" to millions of people, those "independents" needs to be supplied by someone and there are popping out local brands that are mostly handcraft their shoes with really low stock! Unfortunately, prices are killing :(
DeleteSuch a fun and interesting article to read. I'm familiar with sneakerhead hobby, as some of my friends collects sneakers and one of them is a sneaker blogger. Basically it's one of the aspects of our times that I appreciate, that there are very narrow domains, sometimes surprisingly "off the grid" in which people become experts or connoisseurs.
ReplyDeleteI guess for those who are passionate about collecting footwear it can be sad that it just become a legitimate, mainstream business. I imagine it could affect negatively this movement as it could loos some of its originality, compromising authenticity to the financial profit.
Originality has been already lost years back especially when the popularity boomed and reselling become new drug-dealing.
DeleteBeing a sneakerhead is an expensive hobby... This shoes are very overpriced sometimes! However I totally understand that hobby. Sneakers are well designed, high-ended pieces of streetwear. Don't you think?
ReplyDeleteEvery hobby should bring joy to your life, if it brings an extra income... Cool ;)
More and more expensive over the years. Even regular pairs doubled their retail prices over the last 10 years and what I mentioned earlier back then it was more about collecting and searching for what already had been released + ~ 10 new pairs yearly, now it's over 10 pairs monthly!!
DeleteTo be honest, I wasn't aware that something like this is happening. But I'm not interested in fashion, so I'm probably not in the target group. Making a side-income from the hobby is a great idea in my opinion. Not only that, you do what you like, but you also earn money on it. Because this is an additional source of income, you can safely develop it in your spare time, and if everything goes well, you may be able to quit your job.
ReplyDeleteI don't follow this topic at all, so it is hard for me to say how collecting sneakers will affect the fashion community.
One of my friends over the year transform that hobby to full (and well paid) job!
DeleteOn my own I love to find new original sneakers and add them to my collection. On my own I have right now about 10-15 pairs and trying to still add some popular ones. About 10 years ago I was also collecting fullcaps from new era which were nice business this time. Got them about 15 as well, I loved that.
ReplyDeleteI think that if you love this kind of fashion and have good business idea, you should use that on your site and try making some riskier investments.
I didn't fell like that, but my collection is not so huge, but it's still possible. Very often people having some uncommon hobby have negative feelings when it becomes mainstream, so it's possible in sneaker-community as well.
My only knowledge about sneakers are actually those ones I own or want, but I can pretty much understand
ReplyDeletethe desire human can feel for this beautiful piece of art.
Shoes has become international currency in many ways, everyone has his own style and want to show it but there are just some models that everyone wants,
shoes can tell a lot about a person also about his status. Althought I am not a fan of "bragging" about your wellness by showing your new shoes for 1000$ bought by
your mom who just couldn't stand your complaining anymore, I can respect when someone who really put an effort
in getting his knowledge sharp, make money from it and as we can see from the article, the money can be REALLY good.
Yea, I get your point! For me either expensiveness of a hobby is not an issue as long as it's not leading to crying into moms' shoulder :D
DeleteI am not familiar with this idea. Sneakers for me are just a piece of clothes, I only owe as many as I need. It is not collectible for me. Making side-income from hobby (either collecting sneakers or anything else) is a good idea. It is also a sign of entrepreneurship. Once we are able to earn some extra money out of our hobby we make a virtue of necessity.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea either collecting sneaker becoming mainstream affected sneakerheads in any way, whether positively or negatively.
Lot of brainstorming has already been done in this topic so if you only want to I hope you could find all of the questions answered :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I collect sneakers, but I love Nike Air Max. For me, every pair of these shoes are extremely comfortable and of course I love their design. I tried to renovate my old pairs, but the price is comparable to new ones so I gave up. People always try to find a way to earn more money so if people want to spend that much money for shoes it's not so suprising that someone sell them with that price :)
ReplyDeleteEach unusual idea becomes a mainstream when more and more people discover it, so as far as being hipster is not the main conception, I don't see it as a problem.
For sports enthusiasts, collecting sneakers is just as valuable a job as collecting photos. For me, just like Joanna Apoń at the top of the sneakers, it's just clothes, but I also have a friend who loves sneakers and has too much, because there is not much space and keeps them all in boxes from new.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has a hobby, more or less expensive. It is important that we enjoy it. :)
I am familiar with that idea and I have to admit that I am kinda a collector of them myself excluding sneakers that are very expensive.
ReplyDeleteI've seen that a lot of people are buying standard lets say Nike Air Force 1 shoes, painting them and selling for much bigger price, but for me it is fine to do if you put effort into this
I think that even it is mainstream it needs to have something which affect people to do that and everyone who finds it as his new hobby can bring something new to every community.b:)
I think that an influence from this period is the fact, that in our country the generic word for sport shoes is „adidas”. I think, that to this day sport shoes like Adidas Nike Air as some kind of status symbol.
ReplyDeleteI think there is still a boom for many branded sport shoes, but there are many fakes around. Maybe I am not a big fan of sneakers, but do like other shoes models like vans or converse. It is interesting that every subculture has it's one kind of shoes and brands followed this trend by creating a corresponding desing for everone like Dr.Martens boots for punk culture, vans for rock music culture, sneakers identify more with hip-hop.
I do think it could be a good idea as a side hobby. Most importantly as it appears to be a big community people can associate with.
Yes, I understand that obtaining the sneakers themselves is the hardest part, I guess that once it becomes too mainstream people will have easier access to the sources and prices will drop, making the
shoes more accesisble and the whole activity less "elite".
Yes, I'm familiar with that. I own some rare pairs like Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Chicago, few pairs of yeezy, some Converse's x CDG etc. Now i'm tryingto get rid of this. The main problem is that price doesn't come with quality.
ReplyDeleteI think it's good idea. When You are into this hobby, You have possibilites to find more atractive products and resell them even after some period of time when you using them. It's not bad for me.
There are still pairs that are really rare. The only issue i can see is situation when companies makes restocks all the time for rare and limited models, shoes which you were looking for a long time are now avaible for everyone. It's just not fair
I am not a big fan of following the current fashion, I wear what I like and what is comfortable for me. I've seen this kind of activity, which is based on buying sneakers at the supermarket and repainted them by artists and sale. I think it's a cool idea! Each pair is something unique, something individual, something that cannot be repeated - that makes us unique! I support such an idea and the realization of peoples talents in this way. I think everyone has a choice and can decide what to wear and where to buy it.
ReplyDelete