SOLE SISTER

SO LE SIS TE R

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

SOLE SISTER

Have you ever walked into a sneaker store and seen an amazing shoe that just so happens to be on the side of the store that is intended to only fit men? Have you seen the abundance of rows of shoes on that side of the store as well? Well, I have as I worked at a sneaker store for a year. While working there, I was able to meet plenty of women sneakerheads who would attend sneaker drops only to be disappointed when the smallest size available for men (US 5) would sell out right away, and when they include women’s styles on a sneaker drop— you better expect there to be a pink colour way with exceptionally worse materials.

The fact is that the exclusion of women from sneaker culture is a reflection of greater societal norms. Sneakers originated as a purely functional object during 19th century Victorian Britain as they were used to play the popular game of lawn tennis. Victorian women were expected to show “ladylike” behaviour in all aspects of their lives, including while playing sports. That’s why they produced women’s lawn tennis shoes with stereotypical feminine designs in lightweight luxury materials that would have failed to hold up to anything but dainty movements.

Fast-forward to the 21st century and its as if nothing as changed. It is not uncommon to see a classic silhouette which was once only available for men, to now be re-designed for women with the same mindset of feminine designs and weak material to be used.

Street and sneaker culture is a highly male-dominated space. However, in the last few years substantial changes have been made. 14 female Nike designers were tasked with reimagining the Air Force 1 and Air Jordan 1, resulting in 10 new takes on iconic sneakers. Lebron James has collaborated with Nike to create the first Lebron women’s sneaker. The classic colour way of the Air Jordan 1 is set to be released in a satin finish exclusively for women. Nevertheless, more change can always be made and I am excited to see in the next five, ten years what changes this industry will have.

Hence, the creation of Sole Sister, a zine dedicated to women and sneakers. I hope to have some tiny contribution to moving the sneaker industry into a more inclusive direction.

-Taylor Dziedzic

“YOU BETTER EXPECT A PINK COLOUR WAY”

SNEAK HER HEADS

OF LONDON

PHOTOGRAPHS OF WOMEN IN THE STREETS OF LONDON IN SNEAKERS

Sporty

Classic

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU’RE WEARING YOUR FAVOURITE SNEAKERS?

Empowered

Easy-going

Flexible HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU’RE WEARING YOUR FAVOURITE SNEAKERS?

Comfortable

Confident

Cute

AUGUST 2019