Sneaks redefine luxury

Around this time, the term “sneaker” was coined in the United States because the quiet rubber soles allowed wearers to "sneak up" on others. New Balance opened in 1906 and Converse in 1908. In 1916, the US Rubber Company introduced Keds, which became especially popular with women. In Germany, brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler began making sports shoes in 1924 but split in 1948, with Adolf founding Adidas and Rudolf establishing Ruda, which was later renamed Puma.

In 1949, Onitsuka Tiger—later merged with two other companies in 1977 to form ASICS, an acronym for the Latin phrase Anima Sana In Corpore Sano (“A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”)—opened in Japan, becoming the first Asian brand to make a significant mark in the sneaker market. Back in England, Reebok, named after the swift African antelope, entered the scene in 1958. Nike founders Phil Knight and his former University of Oregon coach, Bill Bowerman, began their business by distributing Onitsuka Tiger shoes before establishing Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964, which was renamed Nike in 1971 and adopted the now-iconic Swoosh logo.

After Nike's groundbreaking Air Jordan made sneakers desirable and collectible, luxury houses joined the game. Gucci led the way in the mid-1980s with its signature green-and-red-striped sneakers, followed by Prada, Hermès, Lanvin and Louis Vuitton in the 1990s and 2000s, putting sneakers firmly on the high-fashion runway. Collaborations with designers and celebrities also raised the stakes: Jay-Z with Reebok in 2002, Rihanna with Puma in 2014, and Virgil Abloh with Nike in 2017.

Today, luxury sneakers serve as an accessible entry point to high fashion. While a $7,000 designer handbag may be out of reach for many, a $250-to-$1,000 pair of sneakers represents attainable luxury for Gen Z and millennial buyers. Brands now design not just for the street but also for minimalist, everyday wear suited to high-end wardrobes.

The pandemic also cemented sneakers as the footwear of choice for comfort. Lakat, a local brand that uses uppers made from discarded pineapple leaves and soles crafted from natural rubber sourced in Mindanao, emerged during the pandemic with fashionable designs and vibrant colors. They quickly became our favorites and earned a permanent place in our collection of sneakers, which pair effortlessly with most of our outfits.

This season, sneakers have evolved into flatter, slimmer silhouettes, while hybrids such as Mary Jane sneakers and sneakerinas—a fusion of sneakers and ballerina flats—are all the rage, along with satin versions and embellished iterations.

Extra-Slim

Moving away from the chunky monsters of yore, the silhouette now is slimmer and flatter, with retro runners reissued in more streamlined shapes that go with everything from blazers and work pants for the office to dresses for dinner dates.

Plimsoles

The French-girl kicks of choice are seeing a revival, worn with billowy trouser pants, trench coats or embroidered mini skirts.

Satin & Shine

Satin and metallics elevate the sporty, dressing up outfits that are otherwise casual and provide contrast to denim, cotton and leather.

Brights

With minimalist silhouettes, sneakers can go wild with the colors of the rainbow, adding a touch of boldness to a wardrobe of neutrals and basics.

Hybrid

Just like the sneakerina, hybrids have widened the sneaks vocabulary with Mary Janes, loafer and sandal-inspired iterations providing more options for mixing and matching. 

Gorpcore

A carryover from the favorite pandemic activity of hiking, gorpcore (good ol’ raisins and peanuts or trail mix, hikers’ snack of choice) sneakers are sturdy options for the busy urbanite and outdoorsy types.

Fancy

As an antidote to algorithmic dressing, the fanciest sneaks with intricate detailing from embroideries to beading can add that punch to any look.