The origin of sneakers is a fascinating story that leads us to understand their evolution and how they have come to occupy the privileged place they have today in urban fashion.
This type of sneakers, more than just footwear, is a part of the personality of those who wear them. Since their birth, they have been the hallmark of singers, athletes and cultural movements.
Do you dare to learn more about this process? Today we tell you about it in Newcop!
Where are sneakers born?
Although they are part of the most current urban fashion, to know the origin of sneakers we have to go back to the 19th century. To be more specific, to the late 1800s , when the first rubber-soled shoes were created.
Although it is true that the precursors date back to the 1930s, thanks to the work of The Liverpool Ruber Company , it was not until the explosion of industrial processes that they became an established reality.
In principle, they were designed for the emerging world of tennis, an area that was still an outline of what it has become. But, without a doubt, it was the basis of a development towards specialization.
And that is where the key to its success is found. Well, sneakers were directing their structures and materials to enhance the performance of sports professionals.
The model that changed everything was the famous Dunlop Green Flash , worn for the first time by tennis player Fred Perry on the legendary Wimbledon courts. She was the first of thousands of celebrities who would be part of the history of these sneakers for years to come.
Why are sports shoes called sneakers?
Regarding etymology, the word "sneaker" comes from the English verb "to sneak", which means to slide or move stealthily, making an obvious reference to the effect that athletes benefited from when using it.
This characteristic differentiated these shoes from other types of footwear that offered worse traction, so important in sports such as tennis. As a whole, the name perfectly defines its characteristics, because in addition to that, they are comfortable and barely make noise compared to other shoes.
Little by little, that name became common. Although it is true that in many areas they are known in other ways, such as tennis (now you know why), sneakers or t-shirts.
History of the most important sneaker brands
The story of the origin of sneakers would not be complete without mentioning the great brands that have marked milestones in this sector. Nike, Adidas and New Balance are undoubtedly the references and you can all find them at Newcop.
As we have discovered in other articles on this blog, each of them has their own journey full of anecdotes and transcendental moments.
For example, how Adidas became a benchmark through handball with the Adidas Handball , how New Balance managed to evolve from a small artisan business to being a big brand or how Nike wielded an enormous commercial vision to anticipate trends with its camera. air.
Each one, with its own perspective, has contributed to the development of its technology and its integration as part of urban fashion. So much so, that today they are linked to some of the most famous designers, or true legends of the sport, as we will see below.
Personalities who made sneakers famous
You will surely already know how Michael Jordan, Kanye West, Messi, Ronaldo or Rihanna, to name a few personalities, have played fundamental roles in the history of sneakers.
The best player in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan, with his famous Air Jordans , revolutionized not only the market, but also became a national emblem. So much so, that these sneakers have even inspired movies.
Singers like Kanye West, Shakira, Bad Bunny or Rihanna , through their collaborations with different brands, have also managed to merge music with fashion, generating a trend among their own fans.
A separate case is football. Season after season, the great figures of football have been bastions of the most current designs, such as Ronaldo Nazario and Cristiano with Nike, or Messi and Zidane with Adidas.
Sneakers today
Nowadays, sneakers have become a canvas for artistic expression both for designers and for the people themselves who incorporate them into their outfits.
Limited editions and collaborations with artists have turned these sneakers into true works of art that are highly sought after by collectors around the world.
Furthermore, its presence in urban fashion is indisputable, being an essential component to define styles, even on the most prestigious catwalks.
You know what? We all have them at Newcop . We invite you to take a look at the wide range of models that you will find both on this website and in our physical offices in Madrid and Barcelona. And if you need it, we are at your disposal to help you choose the ones that best suit you.
