They put their best foot forward.
Sneakerheads flocked to St. John’s University Thursday night for a new exhibit celebrating New York City’s special relationship to custom-made kicks — including their influence on hip hop and the fashion world.
Dubbed “We Are Shoe York City,” the special event amounted to the Met Gala of sneakerdom — complete with rare and classic kicks on display in glass cases.
“It’s basically a way to express yourself, even though a lot of people have the same type of shoes at this point,” said Victoria Evans, 18, who attended the kick-off event. “It’s just, ‘If you know, you know’ here in New York.”
Evans said she has plunked down $500 for a pair of rare sneakers in part because “shoe culture actually is a form of hip hop.”
The exhibit aims to “tell the story of sneakers in New York,” featuring five cases — one for each of the city’s boroughs, said Emily Keller, an assistant professor of sport management at the school, who co-curated the display.
“There’s all these different communities that have been built around sneakers — from people that are going out and trying to find those really rare sneakers, to people that are now customizing,” she said. “It’s just a really cool way, I think, to express yourself through your outfit.”
Sneakers on display include a pair of Adidas Superstars, like the ones worn by RUN-DMC, to represent Queens along with Nike Dunk High “Wu Tangs” dedicated to Staten Island.
A pair of Puma x Dapper Dans represents Manhattan while the New York Liberty Mascot Ellie the Elephant Sabrina 2 sneaker is a nod to Brooklyn.
A pair of Nike Air Force 1 lows ‘50 Years of Hip-Hop’ sneakers is also dedicated to the Bronx.
“The raw individuality that New York has…just fully comes out with sneakers,” said Danny Lee, 35, who co-founded the sneakers customization company NRS.
“People are taking way more risks when it comes to sneakers. And I feel like that’s New York at its core,” said Lee, who attended the event Thursday.
New York’s unique love of basketball is also tightly linked to shoe culture. And, among the displays was a new shoe by Lee’s company made to honor St. John’s legendary hoops coach Lou Carnesecca.
“To pay homage to St. John’s and its role in basketball and sneaker history, NRS Customs built their own custom ‘Looie’ shoe . . . incorporating the traditional red and white SJU colorway with coach’s love of the ugly sweater,” said Keller.
The “We Are Shoe York City” exhibit is open daily open daily from 10am-5pm until the end of May
featuring custom and rare sneakers along with art installations.
The opening event Thursday also featured panelists discussing the shoe industry and career paths in the design business.
