You could say they’re just shoes. But that is a view that none of the collectors share. For them, certain sneaker models are the holy grail. In the hunt for that unique pair of shoes, they travel around the world and spend huge amounts of money.
Like Berliner Julia Schoirer, who describes herself as a sneaker queen. In 2014 she said in an interviewthat she owns around 700 pairs – “but maybe 100 more”. In the meantime, several more copies may have been added. Schoirer says, “When I go to bed, I pray not for better health, but rather that I won’t be buried under a collapsing shoe rack that’s next to my bed.”
Many collectors may have lost track of exactly how many models they own or how much money they have spent overall. “I try not to think about it,” says Patrick Pan from Shanghai, who specializes in collecting the A Bathing Ape brand – BAPE for short.
Schoirer and Pan are just two of the sneakerheads portrayed in the illustrated book “World’s Greatest Sneaker Collectors.” The book gives an insight into legendary collections and allows numerous collectors to have their say. A worthwhile purchase not just for sneaker enthusiasts.
“World’s Greatest Sneaker Collectors” by Simon “Woody” Wood is in Bags Publishing appeared and costs 50 euros.