If there’s one event to see this week in New York, it’s Peter Fahey’s SneakerPimps show on Thursday. SneakerPimps is a travelling exhibition of rare sneakers that epitomises the cult status that people have attached to brands, designers and their art. PSFK decided we’d like to know more.
Q. Tell us about your show.
It’s an exhibition that consists of over
1000 sneakers – rare, limited edition, vintage, celebrity signed, artist
customized plus a collection of sneaker related artwork and
photography – aptly named The Sneaker Pimps Exhibition. It’s a movement that
captures and presents street based cultures through sneakers.
Q.
Why is there such a fascination with the customized and rare sneakers? Is it
the artist or the art?
INDIVIDUALITY. Everyone wants to stand out and
be recognized, sneakers are perfect for doing that to people. In terms of
why is it getting more and more popular.all you have to do is take a look at
what makes up the sneaker culture.hip-hop, skateboarding, basketball, street
art. It’s art and the artists.
Q. What trends do you see in the
sneakers you’re showing?
More and more independent footwear companies
coming up and customization of sneakers.
Q. How does the show
influence the shoes on the feet of the people in the street?
People
come to the show, they see something they have never seen before and they
have to have it, so they are on the hunt to cop a pair. It works on a
corporate level too, I have seen an artist customize a sneaker put it in my
show and mysteriously 12 months later an exact copy of that design is put on
sneakers.
Q. What next for mainstream sneaker brands?
I don’t
really like to predict this sort of thing but one thing is certain they are
going to have to start becoming a lot less conservative with design and
color ways because there are a lot of footwear companies being started by
people who are creating footwear that is pushing boundaries and fashion
trends in footwear, a couple of companies that come to mind are JB Classics and BAPE.
Q. How do the niche brands stay ahead?
They do not have to
go through bureaucratic red tape that exists within large corporations. If
they like a particular color way/design they are able to go out and make it
with out having to have it internally cleared. Niche brands are closer to
the street, they knows what’s going on coz they are living it. This is how
they are standing out and making an impact.
Q. Can you give us a
little insight into how you promote/market your traveling show?
I
basically come into a city with a format in mind of the types of people who will
attend my event, skateboarders, artists, hip-hop heads etc.I link up with
stores/groups/collectives, get their logo on the flyer, have them contribute
to the show whether it’s getting local artists to customize sneakers or loan
some rare/limited edition sneakers and then they in turn promote the Sneaker
Pimps
show through their avenues i.e. word of mouth, email blasts, handing
out flyers etc. So the major aim is to work with all the cliques in each
city so you get the city talking about it.
Besides that, working with a
good local promoter who throws successful events within the same cultures
and have them promote and really push the event.
The internet plays a
huge role in the marketing of the tour – I have made great links with
popular online sites such as Hype Beast, Freshnessmag.com, Dopefiend.ca and
Superfuture.com – I send them the info for every show and get them
represented on all the promotional items we create i.e. flyers, posters
etc.
SneakerPimps, 8pm – October 6 at Avalon NYC, 20th St & 6th Avenue, New York
Related PSFK Articles
Interview With Jason Bass Of JB Classics
Interview With Woody From Sneaker Freaker Magazine
Interview With Rasheed Young Of Run Athletics
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