Another example of 'their' influence in 'our' world is the use of luxury hallmarks to transmit an elevated sensibility in sports product. Think about (both imitation and real) snakeskin, ostrich, alligator, walrus, wombat, cocker spaniel and shark skin all being applied to ‘deluxe’ sneakers and the inspiration is obvious. The pinnacle of this trend was undoubtedly the Air Force Ones made with genuine anaconda skin and alligator in 2007. Hand-made by Italian master shoemakers, the ultra-premium AF-1s retailed for a lazy $1500, a home-run price hefty enough to be smacked right into the ballpark of uptown luxury brands.
Whilst I'm on the point, with reseller Nikes regularly changing hands for $1000 and beyond, the most dedicated sneakerfreakers are unlikely to baulk at the prices being bandied about for the Kanye West x Vuitton sneakers. A starting point of $800 and a ceiling of $1250 seems to be where the gossip is at which will create some sole-searching for sure. For anyone addicted to the quest for the Holy Grail, the sight of these Vuittons has just added a new set of parameters to their eBay searches. Where will it ultimately end? Kids sleeping outside Vuitton in Paris? Mace and fists on Fifth Avenue? Nunchukkas in the Shinjuku store? Time will tell...
On a personal note, the more I stare at those plump Vuittons, the more I can detect that throb deep inside that indicates that maybe, just maybe, I could be tempted to buy, even if I'm restricted by morality to the all-whites (not to mention the sheer price).
