Step up! New collectible trainers for rare sneaker seekers

Sneakers have taken on even more collectible currency. In September 2020, Sotheby’s Cult Canvas auction saw a series of artist-designed Nike trainers sell for prices as high as $63,000, customised by creatives including Futura and Jeff Staple, and in November of the same year, Detroit-based sneaker reseller Stock X announced it had an average of 25 million monthly users worldwide. Earlier this month, trainers even stepped into the NFT market, with virtual sneaker brand RTFKT Studios linked up with the crypto-artist FEWOCiOUS, on a sale of over 600 styles that totalled over $3.1 million in sales. From Dior to Celine, a host of brands are stepping out with new coveted styles, guaranteed to be future collectors items. Walk this way!

Sneakers to step out in now

Valentino

The rebellious stud detail of Valentino Garavani's accessoriesa are a contemporary style signature of the Roman maison, which has now been applied as an accoutrement to its trainer silhouettes. The newly released Valentino Garavani One Stud sneakers feature enlarged macro stud details, sure to draw attention. We're opting for the mid-top style for Eighties-inspired oomph.

Palm Angels

Think of Palm Angel's newly released Palm One sneaker as the trainer version of a white t-shirt: timeless, versatile and sleek. The subtly retro style's optic white upper also boasts a bold ankle tab in black and paint box tones - an exuberant way to show off your personality.

Louis Vuitton

For S/S 2021, men’s artistic director Virgil Abloh has created eco-aware upcycled versions of a sneaker he first debuted on the Vuitton runway in 2019. The styles have a skate culture sensibility and have been imagined in a spectrum of colour blocked shades, from fuschia to highlighter green. Which colour combination are you wishing for?

Dior

The Dior x Nike Air Jordan 1 has already had sneakerheads salivating, and now Kim Jones has released the latest style in Dior's sneaker cannon. The B27 nods to the sartorial sway of 1980s skateboarders and features an upper laser cut with the Oblique Dior logo. The styles are available in white and black and also grey – Monsieur Dior’s favourite colour.

Asics Kiko Kostadinov

In celebration of the GEL-LYTETM III’s 30th anniversary, Kiko Kostadinov has spliced up the three-decade old style, amalgamating the curved sole of the Asics Glideride model to its form. This hybrid shape encourages the feeling of seamless coasting when running, as the sole minimises lower leg movement through each stride. Get that runner’s high with fashion-forward form.

Celine

There’s a renegade sense of retro behind the label’s newest trainer styles, which were debuted on a motor racing track in Southern France. This high top silhouette, featuring bold colour blocked panels, speaks of sports hall sessions and cigarettes beneath the bleachers. The styles are also available in shimmering metallic.

Prada 

The second iteration of Prada and Adidas’ partnership culminates in a sleek silhouette crafted for the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team, who will be representing Italy at the 36th America’s Cup next March. The ergonomic and lightweight shape is inspired by the design of the team's AC75 boat and its upper is composed of recycled Primegreen. Smooth sailing style.

Balmain

Been pining for the natural world? The undulating upper of Balmain’s B Runner sneaker is inspired by the curving and meandering pathways of water. Despite being formed from rubberised leather, nylon mesh and suede, the style weighs a mere 730 grams. How’s that for added bounce?

Adidas x Meissen

Adidas and fellow German Meissen, the specialist porcelain brand, have teamed up to create the ZX 10,000 C sneaker, a style with a naturalistic floral design, created for the first time in Adidas’ Scheinfeld factory. In celebration of the collaboration, a one off art piece – the ZX 8000 Porcelain – has also been created, comprised of leather hand-painted by Meissen and porcelain overlay. It's currently at auction at Sotheby’s New York and estimated to sell for $1,000,000.

The newest style in Tod’s innovative No_Code series? A sleek high top silhouette inspired by Mario Bellini's Brionvega RR130 - Totem, a sleek 1970s soundsystem, with a turnable and speakers which folded from a monochromatic cube. Whether you opt for designer Yong Bae Seok’s white or black sneakers, you'll achieve real design-led drama.