If you’ve ever walked down a streetwear aisle, chances are you’ve noticed a few brands that have created a huge amount of hype. These brands are charismatic and never fail to excite their audience with their creativity and passion.
Virgil Abloh’s melding of culture and couture has birthed Off-White, a brand known for innovative designs, forward-thinking, bold and distinctive prints. Moreover, it has earned an iconic status through exciting collaborations.
Nike
Nike is one of the world’s biggest and most powerful sportswear companies. The brand has built its identity around athletes and those who want to live a healthy lifestyle, and it uses multifaceted marketing strategies to appeal to consumers.
One of the most common ways Nike keeps sneakerheads excited is by releasing limited edition retros, which are designed to sell out fast and create hype. But a release’s exclusivity doesn’t always translate into resell price premiums, as Nike’s experts forecast demand and adjust production runs accordingly.
Another way Nike stays relevant and drives hype is by collaborating with music, fashion and sports icons. It has created a long list of successful collabs, including collaborations with David Bowie on a Vans Old Skool, Adidas and Kanye on a Yeezy 350 v2 Black, and rapper Travis Scott on his own Air Jordan 1.
These are just a few of the many examples of how Nike stays at the forefront of sneaker culture. In fact, it has become so dominant that it has overtaken the top two brands Adidas and Vans in terms of most searched sneakers.
The best part about these releases is that they’re usually very affordable. Whether it’s a $170 Jordan V “Oreo” or a $150 Air Jordan X “Steel,” Nike typically produces small runs of these limited edition releases and they’re often sold out within hours of being released.
But what does this mean for resellers? Resellers are able to grab these shoes before they hit stores, and in doing so, profit off of the resell market. This process is known as ‘backdooring,’ and it’s a practice that Nike should be working to stamp out.
Adidas
Adidas has made big moves in the streetwear space, particularly with YEEZY releases. Its work with celebrities and athletes has also helped to increase its market share in this crowded category.
Brands are constantly creating hype online to build interest and buzz around new drops. This has been an important part of sneaker culture for many years. From Jesse Owens' running shoes in 1936 to Kanye West's Yeezy line in 2019, new releases have been influential both on and off the field.
With this in mind, it was no surprise when Adidas decided to take a similar approach with its Stan Smith - a shoe that had been relegated to the back of the shelf for some time. It took the '90s-inspired shoe and gave it an injection of modernity with its futuristic BOOST cushioning.
Once again, adidas created the hype online, controlling the amount of supply to build a buzz, all the while reinvigorating a brand that had fallen out of love with its '90s heritage. Ultimately, the shoe was sold out within a few days and reestablished the legacy of the Three Stripes' iconic Stan Smith.
While this is an excellent way to drive sales, it's not the only way that brands can use the power of social media to drive interest. Nike's recent triumphant retail pop-up spaces in London were a prime example of how this can be done.
This year, the brand released a collection of collaborative sneakers with rapper Cuco that raised funds for Jovenes Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides housing and support to homeless youth in Southeast Los Angeles. Its partnership with UPS also launched a pop-up shop during New York Fashion Week that stocked Latinx-owned labels and opened up the space to the public.
GOAT
GOAT is an acronym that means “greatest of all time.” It’s used to describe athletes, musicians, and other public figures. It is commonly used to praise the best in their fields and can be seen in slang on social media.
Using it in this way can be a great way to show off how impressive an individual is. However, there are a few things you need to know before you use it.
To start with, it is important to know the meaning of GOAT. It can mean something good or bad, depending on who you are talking to and what your point of view is.
For example, people often say that Lebron James isn’t the GOAT of basketball because he doesn’t have as much talent as Michael Jordan or Lionel Messi. This is an ongoing debate that will likely never stop.
In music, Beyonce is the GOAT because she has won multiple awards and has made an impact on the world. She has also been committed to philanthropy and the empowerment of young people everywhere.
She has also been a huge advocate for mental health, which is something many people have to face these days. In fact, she is one of the biggest advocates for a healthier lifestyle and has taken steps to help people overcome their mental illnesses.
Despite her incredible career, there are a few things you should consider before buying a pair of sneakers from GOAT. They have a great selection of shoes but also have a number of negative reviews. Some of these complaints have to do with the shipping process and the return policy. This can be a hassle and could result in a purchase that you don’t like.
BAPE
The Japanese label BAPE has become a staple of rap culture. It's outfitted rappers such as Soulja Boy, Lil Wayne and Pusha-T. It's also been used in music videos and name-checked on countless tracks.
The brand was founded by Nigo in 1993, influenced by the hip hop scene in Tokyo and the nightlife of the Harajuku district. It was first sold through a store called NOWHERE, which Nigo established with friend Jun Takahashi.
BAPE's iconic Ape Head logo and 1ST CAMO pattern – both motifs from the 1968 film Planet of the Apes – set the tone for the label’s bold, graphic-heavy aesthetic. Nigo himself printed 50 tees per week early on, leading to an unintended product scarcity that would later become a hallmark of the brand’s success.
Another key element to BAPE’s edgy design is its trademark Shark pattern, which is inspired by military fighter planes and ships. It features hoodies and sweatshirts and jackets alike.
Like many streetwear brands, BAPE has a cult following. Its popularity is attributed to its resonant, playful aesthetic and its ability to attract the attention of fashion-conscious rap stars.
It's a sign of BAPE’s success that it has outfitted rap’s biggest names, such as Soulja Boy, Lil Wayne, Pusha-T and Cardi B. It's also been named-checked on countless songs and worn in music videos, making it an integral part of rap culture as a whole.
Ultimately, however, BAPE’s success owes more to its hyper-referential culture than anything else. Its products are available only in limited editions, and it largely relies on hype to sell its items. Unfortunately, though, this has led to a lot of counterfeit BAPE merchandise.
Off-White
Off-White is a brand that has become one of the hottest brands in the world. This is largely due to the creative director, Virgil Abloh, who has had an incredible impact on the fashion industry as a whole.
When he first started his label, Abloh had a very specific vision in mind. He wanted to create a brand that would merge the best of streetwear with the best of high-end fashion. In doing so, he was able to create something that had both a classic look and something that was fresh and innovative.
He did this by blending American streetwear with high-end Italian manufacturing. He also did this by incorporating the hip-hop culture of rap music into the designs of his brand.
His designs were bold and often ironic, which made them very appealing to the younger generation that was looking for clothing that represented their personality and taste. He also incorporated a lot of collaborations with big brands such as Nike and Ikea, which helped make his brand very popular.
In the past year, Off-White has been ranked as one of the hottest brands on the market. This is because of the many high-profile collaborations with big brands that have happened over the past year.
This is a testament to how great of an artist and visionary Virgil Abloh was. He had the ability to bring a new and unique design perspective to the world of fashion, and he did this with ease.
He is a very talented designer, and it's very sad to see that he has passed away in late 2021. This means that he will be missed by many and it will be hard for the brand to go on without his ideas and creativity.
