Have Hype Beast killed the Sneaker game?

Sneakers have always been an integral part of the urban fashion scene. Many would argue that sneakers and the culture embodied by them represent an art form. When viewing the various materials, color ways, laser prints and customization of sneaker it's hard to argue the art factor behind the sneaker culture. This boom in commercial success and attention to the sneaker culture has created a new wave of sneaker consumers dubbed by many in the culture as "Hype Beasts".

 Hype Beasts refers to the consumers who purchase the latest trending products void of product knowledge. In other words if it's on tv, in a rap song or music video the Hype Beast has to have it. This shift in consumer trends taking the urban sneaker world from an obscure underground culture to a more mainstream market has created shifts and new trends in sales strategies by top companies such as Nike and brand Jordan.

 In the past purchasing sneakers was as simple as going to which ever store had them available in some relevant time frame of their release date and spending the money. The most notable impact on the sneaker segment of urban fashion comes from the collaboration between Nike and Michael Jordan in 1985 to create the Air Jordan and Jordan brand.  Originally retailing at $64.99 and available to all consumers, the Air Jordan I can be said to be the sneaker that started it all.

Purchasing the latest sneakers in today's market means standing in long lines hours before the release or participating in ticketing or raffling systems weeks in advance.  Retro releases of  Nike Jordan brand sneakers boast a retail price ranging from $140 to $200+, along side of retro sneaker from other famous players such as Charles Barkley  & Penny Hardaway.  Which finally leads us to the question which is, Have Hype Beasts killed the sneaker game?

Some view the endless release dates and the emerging resale, trade and customization markets along with the  endless amount of websites dedicated to the culture, as a sign that the sneaker game is not only alive but thriving. While traditional sneaker heads long for days of old when you could pick up sneaker were ever they where sold, for better or worse the game has changed. Did Hype Beast kill it?

Check out links to sneaker history, sneaker news and pics of Dope kicks and customs below, leave your thoughts and don't forget to check out the home for Art, Fashion and Design www.customitprint.com.

Sneaker History

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Jordan

http://www.nike.com/jumpman23/

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0932723.html

Sneaker New

http://www.kicksonfire.com/

http://www.sneakerfiles.com