By Brianna Cook, The Howard University Hilltop - Life & Style
Paying $75 for sneakers is common to most college students, and many consumers. A growing number of sneaker fanatics and aficionados are upping the ante for the latest and greatest footwear.
Now, more than ever, trendsetters are paying upwards of $150 for "exclusive" or limited edition sneakers. Whether they are the latest Jordan's, Air Force Ones or the craziest colored Nike Dunks, the sneaker game is getting serious.
"I go out of my way to get exclusives, especially Dunks and Jordan's," Jason Gresham, a sophomore business management major, said. "It personifies my personality."
When asked how much he'd be willing to spend on limited edition footwear he responded, "The most I'd spend is $200 or $250."
Popular books like "Where'd You Get Those," "Sole Provider: Thirty Years of NIKE Basketball" and the upcoming release "Sneakers: The Complete Collector's Guide" are sneaker culture "bibles." Many sneaker vultures have collected shoes from around the world for years, while many are just now hip to the culture.
Nowadays, sneakers are not only for sports or leisure. Sneakers make or break your image in the urban community.
When it comes to Hip-Hop, the best and the most rare apparel has always been widely accepted and appreciated. Fresh kicks right out of the box complimented shiny fat gold rope chains and flawless Gazelle glasses. Now fresh sneakers compliment crisp jeans and flawless hats.
Reissued classics are amongst the most expensive of this style staple.
"I think there is definitely a trend of wearing exclusive sneakers, especially to people who care about their style," freshman biology major Diego Humphrey explains. "Because of my expensive style, I can spend up to $500 for exclusive shoes. My normal range is $150 to $350."
When talking to students on campus, some cannot understand why people choose to spend loads of money on something that can easily be ruined.
"I think if we put half as much focus into our work or our grind as we do into our fashion, we'd be twice as successful," Messiah Ramkisson, a junior public relations major, said.
Brent Robinson, a junior classical civilization major, agreed with Ramkisson.
"Trends are trends," he said. "If it doesn't fit my taste then of course I don't care about it. But am I going to pay tons of money for it? No."
To support their love of the trend, some people even experiment with sneaker customization themselves. Using paints, markers, glitter, rhinestones or even chains, any sneaker can instantly be transformed into a hot topic.
It seems the craziest and weirdest color combinations receive the most attention. Beneath the stops and stares, the oohs and ahhs, everyone is wondering where those shoes came from.
Naturally, the most coveted and prized "kicks" cost a wad of money. The limited edition "Black Album" Nike Air Force Ones in celebration of Jay-Z's album, are now reportedly going for $1,500.
Nike supposedly produced 1000 pairs of the Heineken Dunk skateboarding sneakers, which are green leather-and-suede low tops with the beer company's signature red star. This elite class of limited shoes makes them both highly desirable and collectible. Are these sneakers exclusive or elusive?
"Never would I knock a person for wearing them," Cecilia Besley, a freshman international business major, said. "If you can afford it then it's cool. If you look at it though, it's like you're being bamboozled because they only make so many, and it's all about what you're being told, but then again if you want to possess your own sense of self then that's cool too. Everyone wants to be themselves nowadays."
Complex Magazine is one men's magazine in particular that openly embraces the sneaker culture. In every issue you will find loads of rarities, limited edition, and reissued classics, along with clothing to compliment.
For more information on where to find limited edition sneakers and rarities, visit www.soleredemption.com or www.crookedtongues.com for an international selection.
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