Shoe Collaborations: Brand Name Hype or Stylistic Expression?

By BECK KENDIG ‘20

During one of our weekly style club meetings (Thursdays in Warren 324), Pari Palandjian ‘20 and I led a discussion around several modern stylistic trends and concepts. After running through bulky dad shoes, fanny packs, and over-the-shoulder jackets, we raised the question: are shoe collaborations worth the extra cost? For those of you who are content rocking whatever shows up on the Adidas or Converse website, this question might make no sense. A shoe collaboration is the product of two brands’ working together to create something unique. Usually, collabs will occur between a well-known shoe distributor and another brand, re-seller, or individual. In most cases, the the former provides the platform, and the latter provides the inspiration.

Although collaborations can take numerous forms, ranging from Tyler the Creator’s Converse Le Fleur to the Pharrell Human Race NMDs, I want to focus on a specific type of shoe: footwear from well-known brands that skyrocket in price when paired with a hypebeast logo. During our Thursday discussion, we projected a picture of Comme Des Garcons Converse on the whiteboard. Owning a pair from this particular project, I felt my opinion was a little biased and chose instead to observe the conversation. The first person to speak was rather blunt, claiming that it was ridiculous to pay extra for a brand name when the shoe itself was practically the same. Although I did not personally agree, I could see this individual’s reasoning. The footwear we had projected were, the same model as regular High Top Chuck Taylor 70’s. The only differences are the strip of white that cuts down the shoe’s back and the red Comme Des Garcons heart imprinted on the right. Despite this seemingly minimal distinction, these converse cost 40-50 dollars more than regular Chuck Taylors. In response to the initial claim, two people insisted that the shoes were worth the price increase. One thought the heart looked cool and believed collabs deliver the sort of uniqueness we all look to include in our personal styles. The other went on a monologue that culminated in his assertion that cross-brand shoe projects “have clout.” In the days where Supreme bricks sell for 140 dollars, we cannot ignore the attraction of “hype” brands; however, I would argue that it is unfair to reduce this allure to mindless chasing of a shallow relevancy.

We moved on from the topic of shoe collabs to another prompt, but I continued to consider the concept as I walked around campus in my Adidas Consortium Stans. They have an off-white sole with the traditional leather upper. Embossed on the slightly wrinkled white material are the words “ALIFE” and “STARCROW.” Surprise, surprise: These are the names of two relatively prolific streetwear companies. I knew that I loved these shoes since the day I saw them on my weekly browsing of END clothing. The reasoning for this appreciation had remained ambiguous for me. I could have given the simple answer of, “I just like how they look.” I could also have given what most would assume to be the hidden reasoning behind my purchase: “I bought them because of the brand names.” In reality, neither of these explanations accurately portrayed my thought process when–after an hour of looking at on-foot images and a phone call to my mom–I had decided to buy the shoes.

Upon reflection, I discovered what I believe to be the logic behind purchasing collaborations. Shoes, similar to clothing and accessories, allow us a medium of personal expression. By wearing our own interpretation of style, we give the world a taste of what makes us unique. This method of acquiring the a pair of sneakers allows individuals another method of expression. Brands are not just hollow logos and designs; they are the manifestations of the visions of devoted designers. They represent a unique style and culture. Some brands, however, have more of a unique identity than others. As a result, shoe collaborations are the perfect method of giving some basic Chuck Taylors that red heart of taste. Do I believe that collaborations are always worth the extra cost? Of course not. Every Off-White shoe has a hand in creating something that will be expensive enough to overshadow the sneakers’ stylishness. The concept of collaboration, however, is an essential and wonderful aspect of modern fashion, and certainly something you should consider next time you look for a new pair of shoes.