The sneaker scene is taking off in Ireland…
If you’re like me, you had no idea this scene (dominated by Nike and Adidas) was so prominent in Ireland until now.
Sneaker culture has been dominated by two brands since the 1970s. Nike and Adidas control the market in sales and revenue, but the presence of two brands has, maybe unintentionally, caused people to plant their feet in one camp.
But, earlier this week, the day belonged to Nike in Dublin.
The Sean Wotherspoon x Nike Air Max 97/1 launched this week, and for sneaker fans, this is one of the biggest days in their calendar.
So who is Sean Wotherspoon? He’s a Los Angeles vintage store co-owner and after winning Nike’s “RevolutionAir” design competition for last March’s Nike Air Max Day, he was tasked with creating the sneaker for Nike Air Max Day this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZZ0IG058u0
Video via Nike
The sneakers were released on Monday in Ireland, but it’s not like a regular release of say, a video game. These limited edition shoes are in great demand with a supply that pales in comparison to the number of people willing to fork out cash for the luxury item.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgy-cgdBDEm/
They were only available to buy in three stores in Ireland, all three of which are in Dublin: Nowhere on Aungier Street, Offspring in Brown Thomas on Grafton Street and size? on Suffolk Street.
The release may have flown under the radar for many people in Ireland, but as you can see from the image below, it has a staunch following.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgyK7ImlYwg/?taken-by=nowhere.ie
So what exactly were they queuing up for?
Well, it was not a queue to buy the sneakers below. No, it was a queue simply for the chance that they might be able to buy them.
As the supply always outweighs demand, Nowhere sell the shoes on a raffle system. The practice of raffles has been in place in Ireland since 2015 (when the arrival of Yeezy almost single-handedly enforced the change).
While it stops people having to queue overnight in the cold for an opportunity to part with their hard-earned money, it does add another obstacle to getting your hands on what you desire.
Although it’s probably better than a night out in the cold to be fair.
You apply to be in the raffle, you give your shoe size and your name. If you’re picked out, you can enter the store and buy the shoes.
For most people at these events, it’s not about trying to buy and sell on the shoes to make money.
They want these pieces of style for themselves and rather than sell for profit, if they do sell, it’s usually to buy other sneakers and so the cycle continues.
The below video, created by Darren Rice, will give you a good insight into the excitement on the day.
Video via RicerKnows
The multicoloured corduroy sneaker that is The Sean Wotherspoon x Nike Air Max 97/1 is said to be inspired by vintage caps from the ’80s and is one of the most-hyped Air Max models of 2018.
Speaking on the design, Wotherspoon said: “The Air Max 97 has always been one of my favourite shoes. I love the 360 sole and gradient possibilities for the upper. It made sense to pair it with the Air Max 1 sole and the bubble of the ‘Infrared’ Air Max 90.”
All we know is, he’s created a small piece of hysteria in Ireland.
Main image via Darren Rice.
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