The history of the sneaker.
Whether we call them sports shoes, sneakers, tennis Or sneakers, Nowadays, we count tou.te.s at least one pair of sportswear shoes in our wardrobes. Yet, they haven't always been universally popular.
In this article, we'll take a brief look back at the history of sneakers, from the first sports shoes to our modern era. eco-friendly sneakers And Made in Europe modern.
From the invention of the sneaker to its first steps in urban culture.
Emerging at the beginning of the 20th century with the rubber industry, sneakers and their flexible soles offer the public a more flexible walking experience than that of classic dress shoes. Richelieu Or ankle boots. The rubber soles allow for discreet movement, which is why they are called sneakers, "to sneak on" meaning in English "to sneak in by surprise".
Primarily designed to improve athletic performance, sneakers were initially intended for athletes and the post-war male population, who were encouraged to engage in regular physical activity to be prepared in case of conflict.
During the 1930s, the market diversified, and the first sneaker brands appeared, now world-famous. Leather sneakers became more accessible and won the hearts of athletes, who proudly wore them all the way to the Olympic Games. But the real competition took place outside the stadiums, between the various brands playing a role in this expanding new world, who, facing growing public demand, battled it out by each offering their own concept of sports shoes.
The evolution of sneakers: from sports tool to fashion icon.
After winning over adults, sneakers are now finding their way onto the feet of younger children. They are all the rage in school playgrounds for their comfort and ease of slipping on, but are also gradually becoming coveted fashion items and an essential part of the dress code for trendy teens.
Controversial, this new clothing trend is not immediately universally accepted, as its image is associated with a form of sloppiness and popular delinquency.
It was not until the 1970s, with their promotion by street dancers and hip-hop culture, that the phenomenon acquired a positive image.
Sneakers are becoming popular and gradually winning the hearts of women, tired of the rigidity of high heels, and who want to break free from the codes of chic, formal fashion, in favor of these... models comfortable and flexible shoes.
After many years and an explosion in the variety of offerings, sports shoes have become more accessible and are now the star of footwear!
Some types of iconic sports shoes and sneakers.
THE running shoes Or retro running :
Generally lightweight and breathable, they offer good foot support and cushioning, and are primarily intended for sports activities.
THE casual sneakers Or classic basketball :
Designed for everyday, non-sporting use, they are more flexible than dress shoes of the type Chelsea boot Or Richelieu, and are designed to combine style and comfort.
THE high-top sneakers :
Worn every day, the high-top sneakers like our model
Skate shoes:
Designed for skateboarding and other street sports, they are wide, robust and reinforced for high wear resistance.
Hiking boots:
Halfway between desert boots and athletic shoes, they are designed for long walks, offering good grip and ankle support to tackle rough terrain. They are generally waterproof to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Canvas sneakers or tennis shoes:
These sneakers are designed to offer a barefoot feel and be unobtrusive. Generally offering only light cushioning, they have the advantage of being very lightweight, breathable, and practical.
Safety shoes or sneakers:
Designed for use in hazardous environments, they are equipped with robust materials and reinforced with steel and puncture-resistant soles.
Famous sneaker collaborations: when art and fashion meet in exclusive limited edition sneakers.
Nowadays, sneakers have conquered such a wide and eclectic audience that they appeal to all social classes and all ages across 5 continents. They have thus become the most commercially available type of footwear worldwide, with over 47% of the market.
The comfort of sneakers, their ease of wear, their versatility with all types of outfits, and their potential for customization have fueled ever-increasing consumer interest, leading many luxury brands to offer their own high-end sneakers (luxury sneakers). This has also paved the way for partnerships between these brands and leading sportswear labels, and between these labels and celebrities from all walks of life: singers, actors, models, etc., through unique, limited-edition pieces bearing their likenesses, making sneakers a true social phenomenon.
What is the environmental impact of the sneaker industry?
A fashion icon, the ultimate tool for athletic performance, a prized collector's item for sneaker lovers worldwide, and a marker of identity, the sneaker is now everywhere.
But this omnipresence and accumulation of brands, styles, shapes, and color variations is not without negative effects.
Part of the phenomenon ofultra fast fashion, The production of the 34 million pairs of sneakers produced and recorded every day worldwide (in 2018) represents a double threat to... a scourge for the environment. Equivalent to 451,000 round-trip flights between Paris and New York by plane, this colossal production is also constantly increasing.
The reason for this environmental damage: manufacturing is largely outsourced to Asia, the use of toxic products and materials harmful to nature, sneakers made from cowhide leather or other animal-derived materials involving highly polluting livestock farms, etc. Finally, the production of so many variations and enormous stocks sold at rock-bottom prices encourages consumers to buy, and this drive for consumption leads to ever-increasing production. It's a snowball effect.
In addition to these ecological consequences, there is social misery and ethical problems linked to this type of industry. Low wages, unsanitary working conditions for factory workers, and the resulting health problems. The exploitation and suffering of animal species…
Faced with these harmful consequences for the planet and living species, if they wish to turn things around and meet the ecological challenges they face, the sports footwear industry, like the entire fashion and textile sector, must reinvent itself and review the production and consumption models on which it has been based and which it sustains.
From fashionable and trendy sneakers to eco-responsible sports shoes, the challenge of sustainable sneakers.
The story of the eco-friendly sneaker.
To address socio-environmental issues, since the early 2000s, young sneaker brands attentive to current challenges have been innovating by focusing on sustainable development. Their goal: to successfully combine the aesthetic codes of current fashion with public expectations in terms of design, while respecting the production rules of an ethical sneaker, like your project. vegan sneaker brand favorite.
What is a ethical basketball ?
In the world of eco-friendly sneaker or ethical footwear, each sneaker brand has its own definition of sustainable sports footwear.
Some choose to produce their sports sneakers in Asia or Latin America, while carrying out solidarity and social actions on site: helping factory employees and local populations, reforestation by planting trees around the exploitation areas, etc.
Conversely, other ethical brands, like ours, prioritize the production of Made in Europe sneakers (handmade sneakers made in Europe), to limit their carbon footprint and prioritize a local and human production, normally guaranteed by European health and wage standards.
While some brands continue to manufacture their sneakers from classic animal leather, favoring vegetable tanning to avoid the drawbacks of mineral tanning, vegan brands as COG, opt for manufacturing without animal-derived materials (vegan sneakersin addition to recycled materials : recycled plastics recovered from the sea, material made from plant waste such as vegan leather (grape leather, Faux leather made from cereals, apple leather…) recycled cotton, recycled bamboo… Innovative materials, designed with respect for the planet and living things.
The trendy and eco-friendly sneaker, the perfect sneaker of tomorrow?
What makes the perfect sneaker? A super comfortable sneaker? A flexible, colorful, stylish, and technical running shoe? A white sneakers Low carbon vegan, solid and durable, portable for any occasion and suitable for the city? Second-hand sneakers ? Perhaps a mixture of all of that?
In this particular case, at chacun.e His vision, and it's up to us to imagine the perfect shoe of tomorrow.
At COG, our definition of luxury sneakers will always remain that of a sports shoe produced with respect for the planet and living beings.
And what is yours?
Certified sneaker expert and all-terrain sneaker specialist!
With all this knowledge about the world of basketball, you are now at least qualified to open a museum on the subject.
Thank you for reading this article to the end and for joining us in building a more responsible fashion industry by talking about COG to those around you and by purchasing our products. eco-friendly sneakers and our various other models of vegan shoes.
An idea, a question, a wish to share with us regarding our models of vegan sneakers or our eco-friendly dress shoes ? Feel free to let us know via our contact form, or by email by writing to us at contact@cog-store.fr
You can also find other articles from us in the logbook of COG.
