Published by Thames & Hudson, hardcover, illustrated, index, 256 pages, 22.2 cms x 20.7 cms x 3.3 cms, condition: new.
A definitive and indispensable guide to the very best and most collectible sneaker designs. Sneakers, trainers, tennis shoes, basketswherever you live, whatever you call them, however you wear them, it is impossible to escape this humble shoe's rise to global popularity. Sneakers have moved beyond sports attire to become a fashion staple that simultaneously transcends class and race yet defines who you are in today's urban tribes.
The world of the sneaker collector encompasses a huge international audience passionate for the rarest shoes, the latest designs, or reissued classics in a myriad of colors and materials. This encyclopedic guide, with more than 500 specially taken color photographs, displays over 180 sneaker designs that have made a mark on sneaker culture worldwide. There are examples to delight both the novice collector and the hard-core sneaker freak, from acknowledged classics like the Converse All Star to the latest Nike Air technology to forgotten styles no longer in production but worthy of modern recognition, such as the Ewing Reflective.
The book features comprehensive reference sections for collectors, including histories of the fourteen leading brands from Adidas to Vans; practical tips on building and caring for a collection; a fully illustrated glossary and chronology; and a directory of shops, resources, and Web sites. Over 500 full-color photographs and illustrations.
Never had a book like this on my radar, but now that it's summer break, I don't have many time constraints on my library visits! I was meandering through the nonfiction section of our library looking for books about beer and parenthood (separate topics, not one) when this caught my eye.
I don't quite fit the target audience. I'm not a collector. I don't have the space, the money, or the interest to amass sneakers, and I can't imagine buying a pair of shoes that I wasn't willing to wear out and about. I usually buy lightly used sneakers instead of brand new. Most sneaker collectors seem to prioritize basketball sneakers, and I've never been interested.
However, I love a good retro runner. Running/track shoes are my favorite, but soccer and tennis trainers are a close second and third. I "only" own three pairs of non-athletic sneakers right nowtwo pairs of Onitsuka Tigers and one pair from Victory Sportswear, a small brand in Bostonand they're all running styles. I've owned other styles/brands over the yearsadidas, Gola, New Balance, Nike, Saucony, Brooks, etcand I could see myself owning more pairs later in life, but I wouldn't buy anything that I wouldn't want on my feet. I feel a consistent pull between minimalism/asceticism and a conviction that God delights in good craftsmanship and creativity. Should I own 1-2 pairs of reliable, functional shoes? My friend Shawn does this, and some days I admire him, and some days I just think, "nerd! buy some Dunks!" Perhaps God is more unhappy with my lukewarmness and I should just plant my sneakered feet somewhere.
Anyway, this book is awesome! Even though I don't have a personal interest in basketball shoes, I enjoyed learning the history behind several famous shoe styles. adidas and Nike unsurprisingly take up about 50% of the book, but that's not a gripe. They dominate most collector's spaces, which I can appreciate, and some of my favorite styles are adidas soccer and running shoes. I was glad to see Onitsuka Tiger, Saucony, PRO-Ked, Diadora, Vans, and Tretorn get some page space.
