Nike, Jordans, Lebrons, KDs, Adidas, Yeezys, New Balance, Saucony, Asics, Vans; the list goes on and on. Shoes. They're everywhere. Every company, from actual shoe companies to higher-end retailers like Gucci and Coach, are so focused and determined to make an impact in the sneaker world. What is it about shoes that has caused such a stir in the fashion world that there has even been multiple shooting deaths over a pair?
Well, for one, it's a lot about the people who are designing and wearing them. Nike is notorious for working with celebrities, professional athletes to be exact, to create an entire line of shoes. Michael Jordan is one pro athlete whose impact in the sneaker world is still being felt today. His colaboration with Nike beginning in 1985, and of course his amazing basketball skills, made Jordan a household name and the jumpman an almost universally recognizable image. Retailing anywhere from dirt cheap on the clearance rack to over 600 dollars, Jordan is a brand demanded by sneakerheads around the world. Notice that was just retail. Resale prices can range anywhere from, again, dirt cheap if worn and in poor condition all the way to thousands of dollars. One even sold for $37,500. You saw that right. $37,500. Here's proof.
Crazy, right? Now, you might be thinking, "How dare they sell a pair of sneakers for that much!" It doesn't seem right, does it? Here's the thing, though: someone bought them. That's how these sneaker shops, such as Flight Club, get away with asking these seemingly astronomical prices. Other shops, like Urban Necessities, Nice Kicks, and Villa do the same thing.The demand is far greater than the supply. Plus, it also has to do with the nostalgia and history. The Jordans being released today aren't new. Most of them are considered to be "retro," meaning the silhouette was a part of the original numbered series even if the colorway wasn't offered then. These retros oftentimes are a reminder of a sneakerhead's childhood, most oftentimes of not being able to afford a certain pair, and of all the hype surrounding them then. Being able to own a piece of their childhood today as an adult is sometimes all the reason many of these sneakerheads will pay such high prices. Others will pay that for the history behind them. One such sneaker and colorway, the Air Jordan 1 in "bred" (black and red), is one of the most iconic for its history.
This was the very first shoe Michael Jordan released and he wore them in his basketball games. He was then fined $5,000 per game in which they were worn by the NBA, hence the nickname for this pair: the "Banned 1's." Crazy, right? But this little bit of history plays into the desire for and attraction towards these and many other shoes.
Now, personally, I am nowhere near being a sneakerhead. I mean, I can see the attraction and appeal of most shoes (the Jordan Zoom 5's are my personal favorite since that's the first pair I bought my sneakerhead boyfriend). My dude is my main source of news and new releases within the sneaker world, and it's through him that I've learned to respect that community and appreciate the shoes for what they are: more than just a pair of shoes. So whether it's the personal connection of finally being able to afford a pair of shoes that were once unattainable or a respect for the history behind them, shoes are a huge part of the fashion, and sport, world and they are a way for the wearer to express themselves in a more subtle way. It's far more than just a hobby; it's a lifestyle.
