They put their greatest foot ahead.
Sneakerheads flocked to St. John’s College Thursday night time for a brand new exhibit celebrating New York Metropolis’s particular relationship to custom-made kicks — together with their affect on hip hop and the style world.
Dubbed “We Are Shoe York City,” the particular occasion amounted to the Met Gala of sneakerdom — full with uncommon and traditional kicks on show in glass circumstances.
“It’s basically a way to express yourself, even though a lot of people have the same type of shoes at this point,” stated Victoria Evans, 18, who attended the kick-off occasion. “It’s just, ‘If you know, you know’ here in New York.”
Evans stated she has plunked down $500 for a pair of uncommon sneakers partially as a result of “shoe culture actually is a form of hip hop.”
The exhibit goals to “tell the story of sneakers in New York,” that includes 5 circumstances — one for every of town’s boroughs, stated Emily Keller, an assistant professor of sport administration on the faculty, who co-curated the show.
“There’s all these different communities that have been built around sneakers — from people that are going out and trying to find those really rare sneakers, to people that are now customizing,” she stated. “It’s just a really cool way, I think, to express yourself through your outfit.”
Sneakers on show embrace a pair of Adidas Superstars, like those worn by RUN-DMC, to characterize Queens together with Nike Dunk Excessive “Wu Tangs” devoted to Staten Island.
A pair of Puma x Dapper Dans represents Manhattan whereas the New York Liberty Mascot Ellie the Elephant Sabrina 2 sneaker is a nod to Brooklyn.
A pair of Nike Air Drive 1 lows ‘50 Years of Hip-Hop’ sneakers can also be devoted to the Bronx.
“The raw individuality that New York has…just fully comes out with sneakers,” stated Danny Lee, 35, who co-founded the sneakers customization firm NRS.
“People are taking way more risks when it comes to sneakers. And I feel like that’s New York at its core,” stated Lee, who attended the occasion Thursday.
New York’s distinctive love of basketball can also be tightly linked to shoe tradition. And, among the many shows was a brand new shoe by Lee’s firm made to honor St. John’s legendary hoops coach Lou Carnesecca.
“To pay homage to St. John’s and its role in basketball and sneaker history, NRS Customs built their own custom ‘Looie’ shoe . . . incorporating the traditional red and white SJU colorway with coach’s love of the ugly sweater,” stated Keller.
The “We Are Shoe York City” exhibit is open every day open every day from 10am-5pm till the top of Could
that includes {custom} and uncommon sneakers together with artwork installations.
The opening occasion Thursday additionally featured panelists discussing the shoe business and profession paths within the design enterprise.
