Sneaker culture has a rich and varied history. The Conversation explains that though sneakers were first seen as serviceable footwear, the rise of hip-hop has spurred a culture where sneakers are increasingly seen as formal wear and even as collector’s items. Partnerships with celebrities like Selena Gomez, Donald Glover, and Pharrell Williams have also resulted in limited-edition designs. Even established artists are dipping their toes in the sneaker game by pairing with brands to create colorful, eye-catching kicks.From visual artists and painters to fashion designers and boutique brands, creatives the world over are continuing to enhance the sneaker. Here are just some iconic designs that are timelessly snappy and endlessly good-looking.
British visual artist Shantell Martin is best known for her black-pen-on-white-surface creations, often making clean, sweeping lines and curves in front of live audiences. Her simple yet captivating stream-of-consciousness style eventually caught the eye of design company Puma, (above image) resulting in a 2018 collaboration that introduced new looks for classic Puma designs like the Suede and the Clyde. Mainly coming in dark, light, and pastel colorways, these shoes’ sleek and minimalist style would look good on the streets any day.
Keith Haring x Reebok PhotoCredit: @velcro_69
Openly gay, Keith Haring used his art to inform people about HIV at the height of the epidemic. A year before he passed from HIV-related complications, he founded the Keith Haring Foundation to fund non-profit HIV organizations. The foundation continues to sustain his legacy, and to this end, it began collaborating with Reebok in 2013. Each design uniquely translates Haring’s work into a 3D medium while preserving the meaning behind each piece. His colorful pop art style and advocacy aren’t going to fade anytime soon.
Extra Butter x UGG
Photo Credit: @extrabutter on Instagram
New York boutique Extra Butter is no stranger to sneaker collabs. It’s recently partnered with big brands like Puma, Saucony, and UGG. In November, Extra Butter announced their collaboration with UGG for a Renaissance-themed fine art collection. These extremely comfy kicks refresh the UGG Neumel, Tasman, and Fluff It with marble, still life, and fresco details. With the cold months coming on strong, these UGGs’ unbeatable classic designs are set to become an autumn and winter staple.
Andy Warhol X Converse
Credit: @_brandnamesforless_ on Instagram
In accordance with Warhol’s will, the Andy Warhol Foundation continues to advance the visual arts. Given the explosive impact of Converse on modern pop culture, it was no surprise when the collaboration dropped in 2016. Warhol’s defining pop art designs are a perfect fit for the Chuck Taylor All Stars, with iconic prints like Campbell’s Soup Cans and his Ads and Illustrations series. With Converse still trending in 2021, buying a pair will serve you for years to come. You’ll also be helping the Andy Warhol Foundation support today’s experimental artists.
HTM X Nike
Photo Credit: @qmin_magazine on Instagram
Former Nike CEO Mark Parker, prolific designer Tinker Hatfield, and godfather of streetwear Hiroshi Fujiwara compose HTM, which initially debuted in 2002. Since then, they’ve released 17 limited-edition kicks with Nike, including cult favorites like the Air Force 1 HTM. The group’s standout development is arguably Flyknit technology, which introduced a seamless, one-piece upper that cut down shoe manufacturing waste by over 60%. Today, shoes like the Lunar Flyknit HTM NRG are rare and are donned by the likes of Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
When artists touch sneakers, they do so with purpose — and the result is a work of art that simply doesn’t go out of style.
Main photo credit: @shantell_martin
This advertorial was written by Corey O’Neill
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