Rise of sneaker culture

Chuck Taylor All Star Sloane [Photo/Courtesy of Converse]

In 1917, the Converse Rubber Shoe Company introduced the prototype of the All Star; the famous name wasn't adopted until basketball player Chuck Taylor became aligned with the brand. He joined the Converse sales force in 1921, then became a player and coach for the company's basketball team, the Converse All Stars. Taylor saw his name added to the ankle patch, which he had helped develop for better support, and the shoe ultimately named for him as a token of appreciation. In the 1960s, some 90% of university and professional basketball players in the US wore the Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars. Confused about the big difference between sneakers and trainers? Many use the terms interchangeably, but there actually is a difference; the former are athletic-based shoes and are usually worn more for fashion, while the latter are named as a short form for "training shoes" and are aimed at improving performance in a specific athletic activity, such as running or weightlifting.

Aside from Kanye West, top fashion designers have also collaborated with sports brands to present collections as sneakers move into the world of high fashion. As an example, for autumn 2016, Raf Simons released his reinterpretation of Adidas' iconic Stan Smith sneakers; the classic "three stripes" on the side were replaced with the designer's perforated "R" logo and a more luxurious, minimalist approach. Also with Adidas, Stella McCartney has been designing sneakers, trainers and other gym wear for women since 2005.