Source: Sneakers x Culture: Collab – Rizzoli New York
Sneaker culture is now mainstream. While purists tend to complain about this, the beauty is that as culture is integrated into our daily lexicon and line of sight, we begin to see studies, documentaries and art exhibits. I may have written the first academic/research driven book on the sneaker business, but we all have to thank Bobbito Garcia for laying the foundation of books in the sneaker culture and Scoop Jackson for following up that book, but those two deliveries came from the early days of documenting kicks. We finally have what will be the perfect book for my new office in this drop from BATA Shoe Museum Creative Director and Senior Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack.
Museum-quality studio photographs of each sneaker are accompanied by visuals collected from the archives of sneaker makers, as well as ephemera such as design sketches and drawings illustrating the creative process. Author Elizabeth Semmelhack has conducted interviews with many collaborators, including an extensive Q&A with Chris Hill, design manager of Reebok, who has worked with Pyer Moss, Cam’ron, and many others.
In her introduction, Semmelhack explores the history of collaborations, starting at the beginning with Jack Purcell, whose sneakers remain virtually unchanged today. More than eighty sneaker collaborations are featured, including Virgil Abloh (ten styles!), KAWS, Pharrell Williams, Bobbito Garcia, Damien Hirst, Jeremy Scott, Eminem, Supreme, Chanel, Missoni, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Dr. Woo, and Fear of God.
Collaborative efforts by brands drive engagement and interest beyond the niche and this book will help to give a reference to the foundation of the collab and should be one of the best gifts to give this season to your favorite sneaker enthusiast.
