Growing up in DC, one of the first fashion statements and staples you establish is your sneaker collection. Sneaker culture in our area has been prevalent for as long as I can remember. We also had instances in the city like Michael Jordan playing for the Wizards and releasing shoes incorporating our Hometown team colors that amplifed the existing sneaker culture even more. I remember being a middle school kid rocking some fresh New Balance 991’s and 992’s for the first day of school. Or remembering those times in high school lining up to get the latest Nike Foamposites. Or different Retro Air Jordan’s dropping and being able to go into PG Plaza to get them. PG Plaza from 2005-2010 was somewhere you could find just about any sneaker you wanted at the moment. Growing up in the 1990’s and 2000’s you were exposed to all of the great athletes of the time and musicians/artists wearing both sneakers as well as streetwear. Your sense of style developed through this and these influences, with sneakers being the anchoring piece most times to your outfit. In Black Culture streetwear and sneakers have always been interwoven, I looked into some of the history to share. Below is some of the background I found.
Streetwear and sneaker culture have a rich history that spans several decades. The two are intricately connected, with streetwear often being inspired by sneaker designs and vice versa. Sneaker culture, in particular, has had a significant impact on the fashion industry, and has led to the creation of some of the most iconic sneakers of all time.
Sneaker culture began in the 1980s, when Nike released the Air Jordan 1, designed in collaboration with Michael Jordan. This shoe quickly became a cultural phenomenon, and its success inspired other brands to create their own signature sneakers. The rise of hip-hop and rap music in the 1990s further popularized sneaker culture, as artists often incorporated sneakers into their lyrics and fashion.
Streetwear, on the other hand, emerged in the 1990s as a response to the high-end fashion industry. Streetwear brands aimed to create clothing that was both fashionable and functional, and often drew inspiration from urban culture and hip-hop music. Many streetwear brands also incorporated sneaker designs into their clothing, further blurring the lines between the two cultures.
Today, the connections between streetwear and sneaker culture are stronger than ever. Sneaker collaborations with streetwear brands have become increasingly popular, with brands like Nike, Adidas, and Converse teaming up with streetwear labels to create limited-edition sneakers.
Many streetwear brands, including Status Apparel DC, are heavily influenced by sneaker designs, and incorporate color aspects and aesthetic influences from this into their clothing designs. I know personally a lot of times I'll envision different pairs of sneakers when I start designing Status Apparel DC items. I'll often use color variations I've come across in sneakers for color combinations of clothing. The influence is there and interwoven into various colorways for Status items. As a brand that is inspired by both streetwear and sneaker culture, Status Apparel DC is heavily influenced by sneaker culture and it's history within our city of DC and overall throughout the entire United States. By incorporating elements and colors from sneaker designs into clothing collections, we are able to create unique and innovative pieces that appeal to both streetwear and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
With all of this in mind, I wanted to share 10 of my favorite sneakers growing up pairing them with classic and new Status Apparel DC styles. Check it out below:
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