Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street Claimed

Sneakers Unboxed tells the story of one of the most universal design objects, bought and worn by millions of people worldwide every day. The exhibition charts the journey of sneakers, shoes originally designed for specific athletic activities. We explore how they have been adopted as a style element by youth cultures, making them, in turn, pivotal in shaping the current global industry. One that is today equally driven by design innovation and consumer demand.

Sports shoe, style statement, cult object –the sneaker is both everyday footwear and rare collector’s item. In two chapters –Style and Performance –Sneakers Unboxed will uncover the icons that have shaped global sneaker culture, examine the high-fashion reinvention of a streetwear staple and touch on the lucrative resale market that is currently valued at $2 billion. Drawing inspiration from almost every design sector, from automotive to architecture, sneaker design is a synthesis of cutting-edge technology, innovative materials and global style-consciousness. The exhibition will take visitors on a journey into the design process behind the most technically inventive sneakers.