Sports shoe, style statement, and cult object – the sneaker is both an everyday item and a rare collectible. Few objects are as universal or as diverse, which is one reason why the sneaker industry is the most innovative and fast-paced in the footwear sector.
Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street
Past Exhibition
From sportswear to street style, discover how sneakers evolved from athletic gear into global icons of design, culture, and fashion in this past touring exhibition from the Design Museum, London.
Helen Kirkum x Casley Hayford. Photo: Rachel Dray
Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street told the story of sneakers through 500 objects, including over 200 pairs alongside contextual images, film, and archival materials. This exhibition charted the design and cultural journey of sneakers—originally created for specific athletic activities—and explored how they were adopted by youth cultures as a defining style element, ultimately becoming pivotal in shaping today’s global industry.
