By Karli Poliziani

Sneaker Culture: How Celebrities Are Shaping the Way We Wear Sneakers

From Kanye West's Yeezys to Rihanna's Fenty Pumas, we're helping you emulate celebrity sneaker style.
sneaker
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 28: Rihanna walks the runway during FENTY x PUMA by Rihanna at Hotel Salomon de Rothschild on September 28, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Fenty x Puma)

Sneaker culture has firmly established itself in everyday fashion, and the influence of celebrities on our sneaker choices cannot be overstated. Whether they’re designing their own signature kicks or effortlessly sporting the latest trends, celebrities play a pivotal role in shaping our sneaker preferences.

The Celeb-Crafted Sneaker Phenomenon

In recent years, there’s been a burgeoning trend of celebrities teaming up with prominent sneaker brands to craft their unique footwear. These celebrity-designed shoes often become coveted treasures, fetching hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in the market.

Some of the most iconic celebrity-designed sneakers include:

These exclusive, celebrity-endorsed kicks not only enjoy immense popularity among fans but have also elevated sneakers to new heights of fashionability, broadening their appeal to a diverse audience.

Celeb-Powered Sneaker Trends

Besides creating their sneaker lines, celebrities significantly shape our shoe choices through their personal style and endorsements of the latest trends. When a celebrity is spotted wearing a particular footwear style, it often sparks a surge in its popularity.

For example, when Kendall Jenner rocked Adidas Superstars in 2015, sales of the iconic shoe shot up by 80%. Similarly, when Bella Hadid was seen donning Nike Air Force 1s in 2017, sales of the shoe jumped by 35%.

Furthermore, celebrities leverage their social media presence to influence sneaker choices, frequently posting images and videos of themselves showcasing their preferred footwear on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. This digital exposure introduces new styles to a broader audience and generates interest in hot sneaker releases.

The Impact of Celebrity Sneaker Culture

Celebrity sneaker culture has wrought a significant transformation in the shoewear industry, rendering shoes more fashionable and appealing to a broader consumer base. It has also given rise to a multi-billion-dollar sneaker resale market. Nevertheless, the culture is not without its challenges, as high demand for celebrity-designed shoes has led to price inflation and the use of automated bots to snatch up coveted pairs before the general public can.

Emulating Celebrity Sneaker Style

For those eager to emulate the fashion-forward sneaker style of celebrities, consider the following tips:

  • Stay attuned to the latest trends by keeping an eye on celebrity fashion choices and trends featured in fashion magazines (ahem, GRAZIA).
  • Don’t shy away from experimentation; be open to trying new styles and colors.
  • Begin with a few essential classics in your shoe collection, then gradually incorporate more trendy options.
  • Accessorize thoughtfully, as the right accessories can elevate your footwear look. Experiment with sunglasses, hats, or scarves to complete your outfit.

Here are some celebrity sneaker looks that you can draw inspiration from:

Kendall Jenner
sneaker
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 03: Kendall Jenner is seen in Tribeca on May 03, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

Kendall Jenner is known for her love of classic sneakers like Adidas Superstars, Nike Air Force 1s, and Converse Chuck Taylors.

Bella Hadid
celebrity sneaker style

PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 17: Model Bella Hadid is seen on January 17, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

Bella Hadid embraces an edgy sneaker style with chunky kicks like the Balenciaga Triple S and the Gucci Rhyton.

Rihanna
celebrity sneaker style
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 12: Rihanna performs onstage during the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Rihanna is renowned for her bold and fashion-forward sneaker choices, often opting for unique designs and colors.

Irrespective of your personal style, there’s a celebrity-inspired sneaker look waiting for you. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!

This story first appeared on GRAZIA US.

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