Sneaker Obsession

Alexandre Pauwels

This comprehensive illustrated history of the sneaker covers everything from athletic wear to street style, Run-DMC to Travis Scott, Reebok to Nike Air Force 1, and limited editions to sustainability.

The stories behind the brands, designers, and sneakerheads that transformed athletic footwear into a cultural phenomenon unfold in this epic volume. From its early twentieth-century origins as a sporting shoe to the thrill of seeing Michael Jordan’s red, white, and black high-tops on the court to the swagger and style of hip-hop footwear, the sneaker has become a status marker and a coveted cult collectible. This history of the sneaker spans Nike’s famous swoosh logo and global domination, the saga of the dueling Dassler brothers who respectively founded Adidas and Puma, and the enduring popularity of Off-White kicks and Vans. With a glossary of key terms and an overview of the technological and stylistic revolutions of the sneaker, this is an essential book for understanding the streetwear universe, vocabulary, and codes; its innovators and their coveted models; as well as the burgeoning global resale economy. Through profi les of the brands; portraits of Virgil Abloh, Kanye West, and Travis Scott; and interviews with sneaker historian N’Tary-Calaffard, collector Elie Costa, and pop culture guru Sarah Andelman of the legendary Parisian boutique Colette, this book offers deep perspective on the creativity of the industry. Insight into the future of sneakers and how the leading brands are committed to sustainability, customization, and gender equality reveals how the sneaker business continues to reinvent itself at the forefront of culture.

Alexandre Pauwels founded Kikikickz, France’s leading online sneaker reseller with a team of forty.

Fashion / Design HC 176 pages 150 color illustrations 7 × 9½ in. (18 × 24 cm) ISBN: 978-2-08-029470-8 US $25 / Can. $34 / £20 / 22.90 € Publication: March 2023