How the Sneaker become the Staples of Modern Fashion

Sneakers express individuality and personal identity more than any other fashion item. Today, sneakers can come in many shapes, colors, finishes, and offer limitless uses for the contemporary consumer. Worn by everyone from athletes, performance artists, fashion models to children on the playground, this sneaker has a unique place in fashion history as a catalyst for mass fashion. Read on for the history of sneakers and their impact on modern fashion.

The history of modern fashion, sports and sneakers

One of the main reasons for the popularity of sneakers among consumers is their introduction into sports, especially basketball. Before Chuck Taylor, there was never a specific basketball-related shoe. A semi-professional basketball player, he became a salesman for the Converse Sneakers in 1921 and promoted it so well that he eventually became the face of the sneaker. The first celebrity-endorsed sneaker, the Chuck Taylor All-Star was born. From the early 1900s through the 1960s and 1970s, it became one of the first sneakers to be used primarily for basketball. The growing popularity of basketball made Converse popular with consumers, and the shoe gradually moved beyond other areas, including music, skateboarding and everyday wear.

The first NBA player to have a signature sneaker was Walt "Clyde" Frazier wearing PUMA Clyde. Fraser is known for his stylish style on and off the field. When he endorsed sneakers in the 1970s, he made a major contribution to the look and design of sneakers. This shoe is known for its suede look and many colors. Like Chuck Taylor, Fraser's name was put on the actual shoe, but it's a reproduction of his actual signature. While not the most famous basketball shoe, it did make a comeback with dancers in the 1980s and is still worn by players today.

Michael Jordan wanted to sign with Adidas because it was his favorite brand. However, a chain of events ended up creating the biggest shift in Air Jordan sneaker history. Michael Jordan's Nike Air Force sneakers debuted in 1985 and became part of a pop culture legend. This shoe is not only geared towards sports, but also everyday life. Jordan's mass appeal makes this sneaker ideal for sports fans who want to wear the same sneaker as their icon. It became one of the most coveted sneakers in modern fashion and remains a popular choice for sneaker lovers to this day.

Film and Audience Marketing

Certain shoes will forever be cemented in pop culture history as the catalyst that made sneakers a household name. The Nike Cortez was already a style the brand sold in the 1970s, and it cemented its cult status when it appeared in Forrest Gump. Vans' checkered loafers were a hit after Sean Penn's character donned the sneaker in the Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Baby's white Keds in Dirty Dancing made such an impact that they drove the brand's sales tenfold that year, and to this day, the white sneakers are still sold to women. Sneakers and marketing play a huge role in brands trying to attract consumers.

Some of the sneakers featured in the movie became so popular that consumer demand finally made it possible to sell real versions years later. Such was the case at Wes Anderson's Steve Zissou's aquatic life, where the crew wore Adidas sneakers in white and blue with yellow laces. Adidas reportedly released a limited-edition sneaker in 2017 of just 100 pairs. Another example is the classic Space Jam from 1996, and a slew of movie-inspired shoes were released in 2016 to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary.

Retro and nostalgic versions of favorite movies create hype for new products. Sneakers have the ability to allow people to identify a specific era over time. These "re-releases" are all the more appealing, remembering the styles that were all the rage in childhood. Making limited-edition pieces from the most popular movies makes these sneakers even more popular with collectors.

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