Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street the Design Museum London Exhibition & Style Cartel

Prior to being opened to the public, we were invited to the unleashing of the Design Museums new exhibition Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street. Luckily, we had the opportunity to speak with Derek Morrison. Morrison is the Senior Director of the European branch of Stock X. This conversation, allowed us to learn more about reseller 101. Stock X is also the official exhibition sponsor. For this look at Sneaker Culture in the US, with roots in the UK. 

Sneakers Unboxed: Sneaker Culture

Being an OG New York female sneakerhead, this was a day to reminiscence about my childhood growing up in the city. New York is the birth of sneaker culture and hip hop. I hail from Queens and grew up in Spike Lee town Downtown Brooklyn. Otherwise known as Jordan 1 town!

Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street the Design Museum London Exhibition  & Style Cartel

It was also great to see clips from Bobbito Garcia, the critically acclaimed author of Where’d You Get Those? NYC’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987. As an award-winning filmmaker, Garcia has directed DOIN’ IT IN THE PARK: PICK-UP BASKETBALL. He also penned his autobiographical documentary ROCK RUBBER 45s. Definitely one of the OG’s of New York sneaker culture. Just to name a few people who contribute to the exhibition on sneaker culture.

Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street the Design Museum London Exhibition  & Style Cartel

Our favourite UK based Sneaker Connoisseurs Kish Kash, was also on deck to give his appreciation for the culture. Whilst giving us a shout out on his Instagram, we talked about sneakers and our latest cops.

Sneaker Culture Design Museum London Exhibition  
Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street the Design Museum London Exhibition  & Style Cartel

What to expect

Know your Air Jordans from your Air Force 1s?

From trainers originally designed for specific athletic activities like the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, the Puma Disc, and Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%, discover how sneakers such as the Reebok InstaPump Fury, the Vans Half Cab and the Asics Gel Lyte III have become cultural symbols of our times.

Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street the Design Museum London Exhibition  & Style Cartel

Take a journey through the design process behind some of the most technically inventive shoes of today with the Adidas FutureCraft.Strung shoe-making robot designed by Kram/WeisshaarSatoshi, a brand using blockchain certification and the world’s first biologically active shoes developed by MIT Design Lab and Biorealize for Puma.

Then, delve into the lucrative resale market that is currently valued at $10 billion in data visualisations from Stock X, before reliving the streetwear staple’s high-fashion reinvention including sneakers by BalenciagaComme des Garçons and Y-3 and runway looks from A-COLD-WALL* and CRAIG GREEN.

The exhibition also looks at the booming resale market. The impact that the unmatched outpacing of manufacture by trend cycles will have on what we put on our feet. Also, the key brands and collaborations that have shaped the sneaker scene. 

Uncover the icons and collaborations that have shaped the sneaker scene over the years from Michael Jordan and Run-DMC to Kanye West. Experience visuals and graphic work from Jamel ShabazzGrace LadojaSimon Wheatley and Reuben Dangoor, and meet the designers working to make the industry more sustainable, Stella McCartneyHelen Kirkum and Alexander Taylor

Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street the Design Museum London Exhibition  & Style Cartel

Book now: Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street

Design Museum’s spring exhibition looks at cult classics and quirky designs to high-fashion partnerships. From humble sports shoes to coveted status symbol, the sneaker has ascended rapidly from functional footwear item to modern wardrobe essential. A culture that has no age limit. 

Unlock how cushion-soled, comfortable sporting shoes went from a commuters’ dirty secret in the 80s to the highly prized style icon of today, sparking instant sell-outs, round-the-block queues and online bidding wars.

This evolution is explored in the Design Museum’s exhibition: Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street, which has finally opened after lockdown and runs until Sunday 24 October.

Examining everything from product design to ‘sneakerhead’ collectors and the associated subculture, the exhibition helps make sense of the shoe style that has gone from functional to high fashion in a few decades.

Approaching the subject from a design-based perspective, the exhibition is split into three parts: Performance, street culture and fashion. Plus, behind-the-scene glimpses of the design process. All which bring innovations such as self-lacing, 3D printing, air-bubble cushioning or recycled sneakers to modern customers.

Book now: Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street

Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 6AG |

NEAREST TUBE: High Street Kensington 

PRICE £14

Click here to book now