What’s your earliest memory of sneaker culture? I remember a time when sneakers were just worn while playing basketball and football. Compare this to today, where sneakers have elevated themselves far beyond any practical purpose. Famous athletes and hip-hop artists influence sneakerhead communities across the world, with each member bringing their own sense of curation to a subculture that’s now over three decades old.
Over the years, the sneaker silhouette has changed to cater to people’s needs, mainly functionality and comfort. Think of developments like athleisure sneakers, chunky sneakers, casual daily wear sneakers, and many others. According to a report by Statista, the sneaker industry revenue stands at $2.46 million and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 8.93 percent from 2022-2027. Sneaker culture arrived a bit late in India compared to the West, but as Bollywood sets trends here more than any other form of media, a massive spike in sneaker sales was observed after the release of Gully Boy in 2019.
High fashion saw the market, came for it and is conquering it — one drop at a time. Gucci, Balenciaga, Prada, and Louis Vuitton have joined in, whereas sports giants such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Reebok continue to dominate the game. Similarly, we can see a trickle-down effect with fast fashion labels and street stores curating dupes.
“It is absolutely astounding to see how quickly the sneaker community in India is growing. We now have sneaker meet-ups, events, and even big conventions,” opines Mihir Joshi, a singer and sneaker collector. We spoke to eight sneakerheads who have channeled their love for sneakers, fashion, and footwear into a dedicated hobby, or even into new business ventures.
ADITYA BHALLA
(@adityab27)
A Delhi-based businessman, Bhalla is known for creating sneaker content on Instagram as well as collecting them. He has more than 100 pairs of sneakers
How it started:
I got into sneakers through skateboarding and sports when I was around 10-11 years old. I started my sneaker collection with the Nike Air Jordan 1 and I buy shoes every week on average.
Top three sneakers copped:
Nike Air Jordan 1 Chicago Offwhite, Yeezy 750 grey gum, Louis Vuitton Air Force 1 Red.
Advice for new sneakerheads:
One should start by buying what they like, and what is comfortable on their feet. Don’t just go and buy something expensive for the sake of it.
BHAVISHA DAVE
(@bhavishad)
Dave is the co-founder of CAPSUL, India’s first international multi-brand streetwear platform
How it started:
I was always into sports, so sneakers were always my jam. My childhood was filled with quite a few street-culture influences as I was a speed skater. I loved watching the X-Games and the NBA, and was a huge hip-hop fan. It feels like life has come full circle considering that I’ve been lucky enough to be able to start my own business based on what I love.
Top three sneakers copped:
PUMA X Soyuzmult Film Suede Pack, Ambush Dunk High Black / White, A-Cold-Wall* X Converse ERX260.
Advice for new sneakerheads:
Jordans, Dunks, or Yeezys seem to be the go-to starter pack for becoming sneakerheads today. But I still stand by the old school joints: Triple White Air Force 1’s, Vans Old Skool, Stan Smiths, PUMA Suedes, Air Max. The other way to go is to jump right into different collaborations and look for collabs that really mean something to you.
SANGEET PARYANI
(@sangeet.paryani)
Paryani is the founder of Superkicks, a one-stop brand to shop for a variety of brands, and has been collecting sneakers since 2016
How it started:
Owing to my family business, I was always surrounded by sports shoes and sneakers. Seeing stock rooms, retail displays, and attending the best trade shows, I naturally developed an inclination towards the industry. The first pair was the NMD. I had gone to a trade show for Adidas in 2016 and saw the NMD for the first time, and I fell in love with it. These made me want to start Superkicks. Since sneakers like the NMD were only available at higher segment stores, it made me come up with this concept to bring these shoes to India. I end up purchasing a pair around once a month.
Top three sneakers copped:
Air Max 90 Bacon — Atmos ZX 8000 — I cherish all classics like the leather Samba Classic or Stan Smith Vans.
Advice for new sneakerheads:
You can start from anywhere. The reason could be your interest in music, basketball, or dance. Whether you see your idol in a pair of sneakers or you just saw your friends rocking a pair of classic Converse, it could come from anywhere and there is no right or wrong way to go about it.
NANDITH JAISIMHA
(@sneakerstoriesindia)
A Bengaluru-based photographer and filmmaker who has been a collector for the past 15 years
How it started:
Back in the late 90s, it didn’t seem feasible to spend a large sum of money on shoes, and getting hold of a good branded pair of sneakers was unthinkable. I always used to admire the retro Reeboks and Nikes that my seniors rocked on the basketball court, and I always wanted to own these retro pairs of kicks, but they were unavailable in India. Basketball, hip-hop, and rap culture had a major impact on me, and sneakers are personal to me. My mother gifted me my first pair of Adidas “All flags” Basketball shoes when I was 13. This is the pair that got me into collecting, I started seriously collecting sneakers when I was 16 and I’m still going strong.
Top three sneakers copped:
Nike Flightposites, Banned Jordan 1s & Nike BB4s Shox.
Advice for new sneakerheads:
Always start with the classics, they are easily available and won’t burn a hole in the pocket.
PARAS KALNAWAT
(@paraskalnawat)
An actor and musician by profession, Kalnawat has found fame as a sneaker collector as well, and has a dedicated highlight of his sneakers on Instagram
How it started:
I had two or three pairs of trainers at any one time while I was growing up in the late 1990s, and I wore them until I outgrew them. Adidas SL82s was the first and finest sneakers I ever owned, as far as I can recall. When I say first, I mean that these were the first items I can recall picking out for myself, for my 10th birthday. Since I can remember, I’ve probably purchased two pairs of sneakers every week.
Top three sneakers copped:
Adidas Originals Superstar Navy Blue, Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Core Black Red, and Adidas Ultraboost 22 Shoes.
Advice for sneakerheads:
When assessing a shoe, consider all the characteristics, both for comfort and injury prevention.
MIHIR JOSHI
(@mihirjoshimusic)
A singer and sneaker collector, Joshi showcases his sneaker and streetwear styles on @the.sneakerverse. He has been collecting sneakers for the last two decades
How it started:
I was into comic books, statues, music, and movies. During the lockdown, I discovered my passion for sneakers. I’ve always had decent shoes, but I never looked at them from a collector’s perspective. That changed after I watched The Last Dance documentary on Netflix. When I saw that documentary about Michael Jordan’s life and saw the Air Jordan 1, it was instant love. I’d have to say it was the Air Jordan 1 Chicago and the Bred colorways that were responsible for making me a collector.
Top three sneakers copped:
Air Jordan 1 High – 85 Varsity Red, Rookie Of The Year and Taxi (Can’t just pick one Jordan 1 High. I now have 33 pairs. These are my top 3 AJ1 pairs.), Air Max 90 Bacon, Kobe 5 Protro x Undefeated — Hall of Fame.
Advice for new sneakerheads:
All good collectors develop their own networks. Whether it is a newly released limited edition shoe or an older one, getting a good pair on retail is very tough, and the way to do that is by spending time in the scene and creating your own network to source from.
ALLEN CLAUDIUS
(@bowtiesandbonesblog)
Founder of fashion blog Bowties And Bones, Claudius has been collecting sneakers for a decade now
How it started:
It all began with my interest in functionality and comfort in everyday life. I wore the same pair of Chuck Taylors for two years regardless of my outfit. I then took a break, when I got into a corporate job for about nine years. When I quit that job to venture out following my personal interests in fashion and marketing consulting, I began to add to my sneaker collection. This was in 2012, way before sneakers were accepted in the world of fashion, at least in India. The pair that got me into collecting sneakers was the Nike Air Max 90.
Top three sneakers copped:
New Balance X Jjjjound 992, Air Jordan 1 Bred High 2016, and Adidas Yeezy Foam Runner Sand.
Advice for new sneakerheads:
Start with buying some classics. Forget chasing the hype, or exclusive pairs. Buy what you can access, that’s on shelves, appreciate them, and as you progress, you can add hype pairs to your collection.
SHIVANI BORUAH
(@shivani.boruah)
Boruah has been creating content with sneakers and collecting them since 2017 and has worked with multi-brand retailer, VegNonVeg. She is currently building a digital platform for women sneakerheads called FLYgirl
How it started:
I got introduced to sneakers through music in my school days. I would dress up like Avril Lavigne and listen to Limp Bizkit. In 2017-2018, I learnt about blogging, and I started my blog about sneakers and streetwear and got to work with major global sportswear brands including Puma, Adidas Originals, Vans etc., which also paved my way into working at India’s first multi-brand sneaker retailer VegNonVeg. I have been into sneakers for about 10+ years now, but my collection started in 2017 with a few pairs of Puma including the Puma Clyde X Mita Sneakers ‘$1000 bill’ collaboration.
Top three sneakers copped:
Converse x Comme des Garçons PLAY Chuck 70 High Top, Kaws X Sacai X Nike Blazer Low ‘Purple Dusk’, Melody Ehsani x Women’s Air Jordan OG.
Advice for new sneakerheads:
You can start at multi-brand sneaker retailers in India, VegNonVeg & Superkicks and all the major sneaker retailers such as Puma, Adidas Originals, New Balance, etc. have plenty of options for everyone.
RAJ SHAMANI
(@rajshamani)
Shamani is a digital content creator, podcaster, and investor, and is also a big-time sneaker collector
How it started:
My younger brother is a huge fan of the sneaker culture, and he started gifting me his old sneakers. That’s how I got introduced to the whole scene, and slowly started to fall in love with the story behind each sneaker my brother would get. There was a time when my brother and I would buy 2-3 pairs a month but now that we have a decent collection, so we have reduced it to once in two months.
Top three sneakers copped:
Dior x Air Jordan 1, Jordan 1 Retro Travis Scott, Fragments.
Advice for sneakerheads:
Comfort is a priority. Just because everyone is wearing brand’s XYZ shoes, doesn’t mean it’s the style you will be comfortable with. Find out what’s the extension of your personality and then get only those kinds of pairs.
