Sneaker-Speak. Sneakerhead n; 1. A person who collects limited, Colorways n; Deadstock adj;

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1 Sneakerhead Culture

2 Sneaker-Speak Sneakerhead n; 1. A person who collects limited, rare, OG, or flat out exclusive kicks. Usually the collection consists of Jordans or Dunks. 2. A person with background knowledge of certain sneakers. Colorways n; 1. New color combinations and textures of old shoe releases Deadstock adj; 1. Describes a never before worn pair of shoes

3 Sneakerhead History In the US, the boom of signature basketball shoes in the late 1980s provided the variety necessary for a collecting subculture, while the Hip-Hop movement gave the sneakers their street value as status symbols. Jordan sneakers were on another level of style and design from anything else on the market and became a staple in sneakerhead collections. Joining Michael in promotional endeavors was Spike Lee (a.k.a. Mars Blackmon, pictured above), a film director with a passion for Air Jordan sneakers.

4 History con t Marquis Mills Converse opens Converse, Inc Adidas produce their first tennis shoe 1968 Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman create Blue Ribbon Sports, now Nike Nike endorses Michael Jordan and releases first pair Air Jordans 1800 s First rubber shoes are made called Plimsolls 1917 Keds, U.S. Rubber Company releases The Original Sneaker 1950 s Sneakers become popular among teenagers 1982 Nike releases the first pair of Air Force The average teenage boy owns 10 pairs of shoes.

5 History con t Yesterday s Sneakerhead Today s Sneakerhead Motivation Finding rare gems Staying on top of popular trends Value Drive Collections Generally $20-$50. Rarely spent over $100 The colors were cool, the style was cool, and they fit cool Bought hip-hop and skate classics like Puma, Vans, and Adidas. Started their collection with these or Jordans Bought them to be worn No price limit. Up to $6,000+ Purchases based on the HYPE, not true coolness Buys primarily Nike. Starts collection with Dunks, Air Max, AF1s. Collections are considered investments

6 History con t Yesterday s Sneakerhead Today s Sneakerhead Storage Under their beds or closets Cases and personalized shelves Direction Looked East in the Asian market and websites Looks toward celebrities like Kanye West Brands Converse, Adidas, Puma, Fila, Nike Air Jordan, Nike, A Bathing Ape, Vans, Louis Vuitton, Reebok, Adidas Location Local shops and athletic stores in the mall and athletic catalogs Upscale sneaker boutiques, online vendors and via other sneakerheads

7 Key Brands

8 Key Pubs/Blogs/Sites Blogs and Forums/Websites Soleredemption.com (Blog) Sneakerplay.com Sneakerblogger.com Female sneaker fiend Niketalk.com Sneakernews.com Sneakerbistro.blogspot.com Newkicksontheblog.com Online Magazines Solecollector.com Freshnessmag.com Hypebeast.com Kicksclusive.com Sneakerfreaker.com Nicekicks.com Sneakerfiles.com Highsnobiety.com Online Sneaker Boutiques Sneakerhead.com Pickyourshoes.com Citysole.com Kixclusive.com

9 Recent/Biggest Releases?uest Love, Nike Air Questo Release date: August 3, 2010 Price: $ Air Jordan Silver Anniversary Collection Release date: May 2010 Price: $ $ each Air Jordan Spizike Release date: June 2010 Price: $ Nike Air Max 24-7 Release date: Price: $ $ Air Jordan VI Retro Package Release date: June 19, 2010 Price: $ Converse Chinese New Year Release date: January 1, 2010 Price: xxxxx

10 Retail/Boutiqe Spots New York 1. Alife Rivington Club 2. Premium Goods 3. Nort Recon 4. Dave s Quality Meat 5. Memes 6. Flight Club 7. Atmos NYC 8. Classic Kicks 9. The Reed Space 10. Adidas Originals 11. Puma Store 12. About Time Boutique 13. Premium Laces

11 Recent/Biggest Releases Nike Pigeon Dunks Release Date: February 2005 Price- $1800 Nike Dunk SB High Premium Skunk Todd Bratrud Release Date: April 2010 Price: $ Nike Coraline Dunk Release Date: January 2010 Price: $ Two days before release people camped outside of the Reed Space, which had only 20 pair. 70 people were in line when the doors opened. Those with a pair were escorted by police to avoid the riot outside. When the crowd left, a baseball bat and knife were all that remained. Suggested retail price of $69. Retailers charged $300. Within days, a pair sold on ebay for $750. Price today is around $2,000. Citrus Air Jordan IX Retro Release Date: July 2010 Price: $ W+K12, Nike and LAIKA Studios conceptualized this Dunk to celebrate the film Coraline. The final product was created by artist Gian Galang and Rob Heppler 1,000 were available for the lucky people who uncovered codes on the Coraline website

12 Dr. Seuss + Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Dr. Seuss $60.00 Chuck Taylor All Star Dr. Seuss $55.00 Chuck Taylor All Star Dr. Seuss $65.00 Chuck Taylor All Star Dr. Seuss $55.00 The new line of Converse Chuck Taylors features The Cat in the Hat characters and designs. The new line dropped summer 2010 and each shoe comes with a free clinch bag, but only when purchased from Characters include, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, The Cat in the Hat and more.

13 Events Sneaker Pimps Tour 2010 An event that goes to various cities worldwide to display rare and vintage sneakers. Artists customize shoes and celebrities are present at each event. Dunksxchange 2010 A tour that goes to major cities for people to buy, sell, and trade sneakers. Kixpo This event is primarily for avid sneaker collectors to show off their personal collections. Also, it promotes up-start clothing lines and local boutiques.

14 Events Sneaker Con Times Square Thousands attend to check out exclusive sneakers for sale by the industry s biggest online venders like Kixclusive, Nice Kicks, Citysole and more. Many attendees walk around with their own pairs hoping to find prospective buyers or traders. Future Sole Design Competition Jordan and Nike designers review submissions from contestants and pick a winner who will receive $5,000 in prizes and a $5,000 school grant.

15 Interviews Just for Kicks Documentary Presents the underlying drivers and players that fueled the global sneakers revolution and its $26 Billion global market. Just For Kicks offers an insider s history of hip hop s most treasured fashion item; revealing behind the scene stories with exclusive testimonies and the charismatic personalities that influence pop culture #docid= Video: Sneakerheads Who Keep Separate Apartments for Their Shoes 1,000 sneakerheads gathered in the Times Square Arts Center to buy, sell, and trade their collections of sneakers at the first annual SneakerCon. Watch the video to see what's hot in the world of sneakers and find out how many thousands of dollars some people are willing to spend on them. kerheads_who_keep_se.html

16 Key Figures Early Movie Influences: Beat Street (1984) Wild Style (1983) Early Brand Influences: Converse Adidas Nike Early hip-hop Influences: Doug E. Fresh Run D.M.C. Early Athletic Influences: Michael Jordan Charles Chuck Taylor Via

17 Nike Atmosphere: The entrance was very unique and appealing. The music was commercial urban sounds. Products: They had a lot of retro shoes that were different from what I ve seen in other stores and the layout was distinctive. Special Features: The tribute to the World Cup was amazing. All the murals and graffiti that covered the walls were interesting. Comments: The staff wasn t pleasant and barely acknowledge us when we came into the store. 21 Mercer Street New York (Soho)

18 Adidas Originals 136 Wooster St, New York (Soho) Atmosphere: Upbeat, retro and colorful with techno music playing Products: Adidas shoes, clothes, and accessories Special Features: Foosball table, Mi section, rotating turnstile for featured shoes Comments: The shoes were found in the very back of store which may be a tactic to have individuals look at all the gear as they make their way to that area. Clean displays and nice informative staff

19 Puma 521 Broadway New York (Soho) Atmosphere: The Puma Store was colorful and futuristic but the setup was average and commercial universal music was playing in the background. Products: The sneaker selection was decent but all the products looked the same. Downstairs were a lot of t-shirts with unique graphics on them. Special Features: Their World Cup theme was the best part of the store and the, Love= Football campaign ads were really interesting. Comments: The staff was welcoming and very helpful.

20 Flight Club 267 Lafayette, New York (Soho) Atmosphere: Laid-back, vintage style with hip hop music playing Products: Jordans and Nikes, Vintage hats and jackets Special Features: Bench with flight club decorations covering it, all shoes wrapped in cellophane Comments: They have a good variety of shoes but it somewhat looks like a thrift shop. It s cluttered and small. Cellophane on the shoes looks tacky but it may appeal to sneakerhead who never wear their sneakers.

21 Reed Space Atmosphere: Clean, neat, almost like a museum or art work-shop. Hip-hop music and laid back, friendly workers Products: Screen tees, SneakerFreaker Magazines, cultural books, music, hats, shirts, small selection of shoes Special Features: Currently doing a collaboration with Oakley, so shades were displayed in cases with pictures featuring the history of Oakley around the store. Magazines sold in chairs hanging from the wall. Figurines. Design blueprints Comments: Cool layout, original ideas, Oakley collaboration is interesting, design blueprints are cool, good selection of shirts but high prices. 151 Orchard St., New York (Lower East Side)

22 Dave s Quality Meat Atmosphere: The set up is very neat and open and gave off a chill atmosphere. Brick walls and the wood floors were appealing. Metal music and cool rock was playing. Products: They have a lot of Vans, vintage Nike dunks, very few Converse, and a nice collection of Blazers. Special Features: When you buy a shirt from DQM it s wrapped like meat packaging. Comments: This store looks like it s primarily for skaters. The staff wasn t helpful at all. 7 E 3 rd Street New York (East Village)

23 anything Atmosphere: Soft rock was playing which gave the store a relaxed vibe. It was located at the top of China Town. Products: They only sell apparel that is anything brand. They had nice collar shirts and cool shirt designs. The sale items were a good buy as well. Special Features: The ceiling lighting was cool and caught my eye. Their wall pictures were provocative but went with the theme of the store and their merchandise. Comments: If you are a sneakerhead this is not the store for you. 51 Hester Street New York (Lower East Side)

24 Premium Laces Atmosphere: The workers were very friendly and the rock music playing went with the theme of the store and staff. Products: They had all the new commercial Nikes and Jordans and a great variety of Converse Chuck Taylors. There were a lot of t-shirts with unique graphics on them. Special Features: The custom wall paintings were distinctive and made the store feel home-like. Comments: Premium Laces would be a good store for a sneakerhead. 68 Spring Street New York (Soho)

25 Alife Rivington Club Atmosphere: High-end exclusive store. Very neat and clean. Local rap and reggae music Products: Nikes, Jordans, Adidas, and Alife products. Special Features: Buzzer, display of fish eating an Alife shirt, wall of shoes on wooden shelves, chandelier, and red carpet. Comments: Feels high class, entrance is cool, ARC2 is more laid-back with only Alife products. 158 Rivington St., New York (Lower East Side)

26 West 147 West 72 nd Street New York (Upper West Side) Atmosphere: New York hip hop music, exclusive feel because of certain features. Dry atmosphere. Products: A lot of Vans in stock, commercial Nikes, very few Jordans, Saucony, New Balance, Converse, and new brands like Native and Red Wing Shoes. There was a limited amount of exclusive Nikes. Special Features: A red velvet rope upon entrance. The water-colored wall art was interesting. Comments: The staff didn t greet us when we entered. There was a good variety of shoes.

27 Atmos 203 W. 125 th St., New York (Harlem) Atmosphere: A small store with a big store feel, commercial music, and inattentive staff. Products: Shirts, skateboards, Nike, Jordans, Polo, Vans, Supra, Adidas, Reebok, Timberland, and Ubiq Special Features: Wall display of shoes is nice. Comments: The staff didn t pay attention to customers but it s worth shopping at because the store has a good variety.

28 Premium Goods Atmosphere: Very small store but was clean with wood floors. It felt like I had to get in and get out. Not meant to browse for a long time. The music playing was contemporary jazz. Products: Small but good selection of Nikes, Air Jordans, Vans, Nike jackets, and shirts. Special Features: Cool wall designs and interesting decorations Comments: Not impressive and the worker did not greet us th Avenue, New York (Brooklyn)

29 Goliath Atmosphere: Very organized and neat. There was local music playing. Laid back. Products: Great collection of graphic tees, hats, Blazers, Jordans, Supras, and Nikes. Had rare Air Force 1s. Sick backpacks with funky designs. Also sold skateboards. Special Features: Their register section looked like a bar and behind it was their hat selection which was pretty cool. Comments: I would definitely shop here. The staff was welcoming and the shoe variety was amazing. 175 East 105 th Street New York (East Harlem)

30 Memes 3 Great Jones Street New York (Soho) Atmosphere: The store is classy and set up very nice. Displays in the middle draw you in. Products: Men s t-shirts were in abundance with unique designs on them. Cool clothes with a throwback, old school style. They had Timex calculator watches. Shoe selection is very low and only consist of Reebok Pumps, Doc Marten s, Yamamoto for Adidas, and Timberland Abington Collection. Special Features: Products in glass cases brought an exclusive feel to the store. Comments: Worker said Nikes aren t cool anymore and don t have any exclusivity. Anyone can get them, he says.

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32 Resources Sneaker Talk History Boutiques Releases Converse + Dr. Seuss Events