notes.husk.org/likes images.

The Rise of Sneaker Culture is the first exhibition to explore the complex social history and cultural significance of the footwear now worn by billions of people throughout the world. Since New York City can arguably be considered the birthplace of this global obsession, we’re turning to local sneaker heads to tell us what sneakers mean to them: 

Growing up in the south of France in a pre-Internet world, my access to the greatest sneakers was complicated, to say the least. Adidas and the Italian brands such as Fila, Sergio Tacchini, or Kappa were more common, but the Holy Grail was finding a good pair of Nike (or Ni-ke, as we said in French). Similar to a lot of American kids, my link to sneakers culture was through sports. Fast forward 20 years, I am now 31 and still wear sneakers everyday. My connection to the culture is now more lifestyle-based than sports. I wear Converse All Star chucks 5 days a week; I have the entire rainbow in my closet, all colors, fabrics, and degrees of used. It became part of my persona. They generally go with the entire range of outfits I have in rotation. I like the idea of being somehow brand loyal. Nike is my first love and my introduction to the culture, but Converse is the one I married. Happily ever after.  —Jey Perie, Creative Director kinfolklife 

1. What started it for you? I’m a football (soccer) fan but in the early 90’s in France, we were looking at tennis legends like Agassi or Jim Courier for the best footwear. Nothing looked better on tv than these white trainers sliding on Roland Garros orange dust. Remember the 1992 Jim Courier x Nike Supreme Court?

2. Why do sneakers belong in a museum? It has been such a big part of youth, music and sports culture over the past three decades than now it’s existing as its own culture. The same way retrospectives of couture designers like Gaultier or Mcqueen belongs in museums, the sneakers that have shaped the past 30 years deserve to be highlighted in museum as well.

3. What does the future of #sneakerculture look like? In future I think there will be less and less borders between the streets, music, fashion and sports. It’s slowly becoming this giant world mixing art and entertainment and #sneakerculture will be organically part of it.

Have your own #sneakerstory? Tell us all about it!

Posted by Brooke Baldeschwiler