Listeeeeeen, I’m still a noob when it comes to the sneaker world. However, I’m still very much an admirer of the sneaker head, hype-beast culture, so where did I end up again, the 2019 Kickback Sneaker Expo.
I have to give a big shout out to the visionary of this event, thanks Kay for the invite. You can also find photos of Kay speaking at Raleigh’s one and only sneaker gala here
The Resell Culture Is So Fascinating
Now, why am I so fascinated by this world?
Because its fashion duh!
Possibly more fascinating to know is that the streetwear culture has its own ecosystem/economy culture that has grown tremendously. You’ve heard of reselling. Of coarse you have.
However, there is just as much hype around buying hard to find and cherished sneakers as there is in the celebrated grind of buying and selling adored styles to enthusiasts, collectors, other sellers etc. Imagine a stock market dedicated to Yugioh, Pokemon cards back in the 90s. Now replace those cards and culture with sneakers, streetwear and those that buy them. It’d look something like this photo.
Traders are practiced in studying and following the retail value of streetwear items buy checking top reseller sights like StockX. This is also one of the popular sites to check the authenticity, resell value and sometimes the availability of streetwear items. It’s mostly used for high end streetwear products like Kith, Supreme, Yeezy, Kaws, Fear of God, Palace etc.
Where The Men Go?
Now, I’m not so blown away so much by the making money part. Instead, I am floored at the niche of fashion that I was able to find so many young men.
Do you know how hard it is to get men to come to a fashion event or to event be fashionable? Tuh, it’s tough.
I bet you’ve heard the rumor that guys in the south can’t dress. I’m not suggesting that this event changes that view. However, you have also heard that women tend to judge men by what kind and how well kept a guys shoes are. This event would make you assume a lot these men got a lot going on. All the money and creativity was on their feet.
I LOVE IT. I strongly believe that mens fashion is missing the altitude and weight of creativity we have sewn into womenswear over generations but one things stands against that. Sneaker Culture.
Check out my blog post about the previous kickback expo I that I attended here.
Photos from the 2019 Kickback Sneaker Expo below
