Book SummaryComplex Presents Sneaker of the Year, by Inc. Complex Media

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Complex Presents Sneaker of the Year

The growing importance and cultural impact of unique athletic shoes.

Athletic brands achieved prominence by collaborating with sports figures and cultivating cultural relevance with distinctive shoe lines that carried the athletes' signatures.

The publication titled "Sneaker of the Year" explores how athletic apparel brands utilize their renowned sneaker lines to cultivate connections with athletes and influence cultural trends. This section delves into the evolution of emblematic sports footwear, charting their progression from the drawing board to their substantial impact on the athletic footwear industry and the athletes who don them.

The Air Jordan label transformed the approach of leveraging sports icons to elevate footwear sales and influence cultural movements.

The authors highlight how the introduction of the Air Jordan line in 1985 marked a pivotal transformation in the approach brands took towards athlete sponsorships. Prior to the release of the Air Jordan 1, while athletes like Jack Purcell and Stan Smith had their own signature shoe lines, none were associated with an individual possessing a cultural impact on par with that of Michael Jordan. Nike identified the potential for increased profits and enhanced brand recognition by launching a dedicated sneaker series, which paved the way for the continuous rise of signature footwear collections. The Air Jordan 1 gained significant popularity, achieving considerable market success and evolving into a cultural icon, thus solidifying the link between a renowned athlete and their distinctive footwear. This approach, subsequently adopted by numerous brands, laid the foundation for contemporary sneaker culture.

The footwear donned by the athletes, such as the distinctive Nike Air Foamposite One, captured their individual characteristics and approaches to the game.

The authors emphasize how sports shoes provided a unique platform for athletes to showcase their individual style, connecting their on-field prowess with their personal taste in shoe design. Reflect on the context in which Allen Iverson's first signature shoe with Reebok, known as the Question, was introduced. The Question reflected the unique and rebellious style of play that Allen Iverson was known for, characterized not only by its eye-catching design but also by the inclusion of Hexalite cushioning technology. The design of the sneaker resonated deeply with fans who...

Complex Presents Sneaker of the Year Summary The sneaker line of Air Jordan is celebrated for its innovative styles and advancements in shoe technology.

The Air Jordan footwear collection revolutionized the way sneakers are perceived by perfectly blending performance, style, and storytelling.

The publication delves deeply into the evolution of sneaker aesthetics and innovation, with a special emphasis on the impactful series of Air Jordan footwear. This section highlights the innovative characteristics and original design philosophies that set the Air Jordan apart as a pioneer in the athletic footwear market.

The architectural background of Tinker Hatfield played a pivotal role in shaping the Air Jordan III, merging form with function in its design.

The authors pinpoint the debut of the Air Jordan III in 1988 as a pivotal moment in the transformation of sneaker design. The inaugural Air Jordan sneaker was designed by Tinker Hatfield, who would eventually gain recognition as an iconic shoe designer. Drawing from his architectural expertise, Hatfield crafted a sneaker that seamlessly blended functionality with aesthetic allure. The introduction of the Jumpman logo, the visible Air cushioning, and its refined design on the third Air Jordan model not only met Michael Jordan's stringent performance requirements but also...

Complex Presents Sneaker of the Year Summary The sector of sports footwear has undergone considerable change and fierce competition.

The evolution of the sports footwear industry was shaped by eras marked by intense competition and creative advancements.

The authors explore how competition and continuous innovation have historically molded the sports footwear sector, leading to the dynamic and constantly evolving marketplace we see today. They explore the fierce competition between companies that designed shoes and the key occurrences that influenced the growth of the sector.

The growth of the industry during the 1980s and 1990s was marked by pivotal developments like the launch of Nike Air, as well as fierce rivalry between brands.

The authors emphasize the rise of Nike Air and the fierce rivalry between brands like Adidas and Reebok during the 1980s and 1990s, playing a pivotal role in advancing the footwear sector. In 1987, the unveiling of visible Air technology, coupled with the fierce competition to obtain endorsements from iconic athletes like Michael Jordan, drove companies to persistently seek progress, leading to a prolonged period of notable evolution in both the design and practical aspects of footwear.

The emergence of unique collaborations, infrequent releases of new products,...

Complex Presents Sneaker of the Year Summary Sneaker culture embodies a blend of athletic achievements, design evolution, and social trends.

Designers merged the practicality of athletic apparel with influences from fashion, art, and diverse subcultures, treating footwear as a canvas for this fusion.

The authors document the transformation of sneakers from mere athletic footwear to a symbol that transcends their original connection to sports and exercise. This section explores how sneakers evolved into a medium for artistic expression, symbolizing cultural identity and merging the worlds of sports, art, and popular culture.

The cultural impact of sneakers has expanded through partnerships with distinguished designers, artists, and musicians.

The book depicts how collaborations between brands and notable figures in various fields such as fashion, music, and the arts have shaped the progression of sneaker designs. Joint efforts with fashion innovators like Chitose Abe from Sacai brought fresh perspectives and stylistic inclinations that resonated with youthful shoppers eager for the latest trends, blending high fashion with athletic footwear. The collaboration between Staple Design and Nike SB Dunk on the "Pigeon" sneaker highlighted previously obscure subcultures, solidifying the sneaker community's...

Complex Presents Sneaker of the Year Summary Innovations and collaborations beyond the sports industry have significantly impacted sneaker design.

Non-athletic creatives, including designers and musicians, partnered with brands to expand the limits of sneaker design and its narrative.

The book's authors illustrate how collaborations with prominent personalities from the realms of design, art, and music have elevated sneakers beyond their traditional role of mere shoes. This segment examines how these partnerships infused the market, typically focused on athletic performance, with fresh trends, visual styles, and narrative techniques.

The partnership of Nike with Kanye West to create the Air Yeezy highlighted the substantial impact that celebrities outside of sports have in the footwear industry.

The publication underscores the profound influence that the series of sneakers created in collaboration with the artist once identified as Kanye West, known as the Nike Air Yeezy, has had on various cultural trends. Upon their initial release in 2009 and 2012, the models quickly rose to iconic prominence, merging Kanye West's flair for groundbreaking design with the technical expertise of Nike, and sparking significant enthusiasm among sneaker enthusiasts. Kanye West's influence on the sneaker market was firmly...

Complex Presents Sneaker of the Year Summary The boundaries among athletic, casual, and luxury footwear categories are increasingly blurring.

Sneakers have undergone a transformation due to advancements in technology and changes in consumer preferences, resulting in a fusion of practicality, suitability for daily use, and upscale fashion.

The authors delve into how performance footwear has merged with everyday and luxury fashion, a trend propelled by the rapid growth of the sneaker community, shifting consumer tastes, and the widespread adoption of athleisure attire. The final section of the book explores how companies have adapted their design processes and strategies to keep pace with modern trends in sneaker fashion.

Innovations like Boost, along with a range of materials and designs, have enabled creators to craft shoes that enhance athletic performance while also accommodating everyday fashion tastes.

The book explores the advancements in sneaker design, focusing on how the debut of Adidas's Boost technology, Nike's development of React foam, and the introduction of Flyknit uppers have broadened the scope for sneakers, catering to the requirements of athletic performance as well as daily style preferences. Advancements in technology not only improved the comfort provided by the sneakers but also...