Sneaker Con Denver Recap | May 7, 2022

The world of sneaker collecting, selling, trading has become a world phenomenon. In a multi-billion dollar industry the hobby turned cash cow has evolved over the years. Sneaker Con brings together and gives this culture a place where grails are found, heat is sold, and collections are traded. This past weekend the Denver Convention Center played host to the revolving sneaker exhibit. From city to city Sneaker Con brings some of the most recognized sellers, collectors and You Tube celebrities to hang out for a day and exchange all the latest in the sneaker world.

This year vendors from all over set up shop luring those in wanting to cash out for some of the most sought after shoes on the market. A market that has been scrutinized by the resellers, from backdooring to fake sneakers the sneaker industry can be a slippery slope for those who value the old school style of purchasing and collecting. Sneaker Con gives ordinary people a chance to negotiate prices without the middleman. It is a safe place where even companies like Ebay provide authentication to pairs between sellers and buyers. This year provided for a well organized and friendly atmosphere for all. We came to take in all the action (we left our credit cards at home) and see what’s hot and upcoming trends. You Tube celebrities such as Chance D, Gigamas, Romy, Blazendary and more. GOAT sellers included PRVT Collection, PHX Soles, Urban Necessities, Retro Kicks and more. The event hits the road and arrives in Los Angeles next week and we already have FOMO. Thank you to Sneaker Con for having us out. Catch you next time.

Adidas Releases Yeezy Foam Runners in Ochre

Kanye West’s collaboration line with Adidas recently dropped a new version of the Yeezy Foam Runner in a new color. This comes hot on the heels of West releasing his contentious album, Donda, which has caused plenty of controversy. West initially introduced the album (then in progress) via Twitter in 2020, and not long after, snippets from the new album were leaked.

Vox reports that Donda had originally been scheduled for release on July 24 of the same year as tweeted, and quickly deleted, by Kanye himself. But his plans of dropping Donda never came to fruition in 2020 and he gave no explanation to fans as to why. On top of the album fiasco, the past year has been quite tumultuous for the rapper’s personal life: losing the presidential election and rumors about the end of his marriage have been rife.

Despite the trials and tribulations of the past year, West was able to release the album, but not without problems. There was a severe backlash when the artist collaborated with Marilyn Manson and DaBaby, both of whom are known to be rather problematic to say the least – they're alleged sexual abusers and homophobic, respectively. And although Donda was able to debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts, it was quickly overtaken by Drake’s Certified Lover Boy which was released just a week after.

West is obviously not going to let his competition overshadow him and has since announced the release of a new color for his Yeezy Foam Runner line to help continue the hype around his brand. The Yeezy line has been immensely successful since its initial release with Adidas in 2015. Forbes reports how the brand reached $1.5 billion in value in 2019. And it's expected to spike with this new album release. This shows how successful the collaboration is and how high the demand for Yeezys is.

The new Yeezy colorway is set to be called Ochre, and as the name suggests, the new shoe drop is expected to have an earthy, yellow shade. The teased photos of the new color closely resemble clay with its muted tinge. The shoe, which boasts an interesting and unique design, is built for comfort and maximum airflow. It was released on September 18 and is available on the Adidas CONFIRMED app and in select stores.

The Foam Runner’s interesting design is an example of how the shoe industry is creating daring designs mixed with usability and star power. Other brands like Nike have been creating new ways to make their products more eye-catching and noteworthy, like re-releasing long-term partner Drake’s CLB collaboration. The label also recently held a celebration showcasing their well-known Air Max where people could acquire Air Max-themed art in an auction. Just like Adidas, Nike is banking on iconic shoe models and collaborations with A-list artists to get ahead.

For Adidas, Kanye West's new shoe release is expected to sell out quickly, similar to how the Yeezy Boost 350 sold out in minutes. The bold design shows how the shoe world is changing and leaning into creating more artsy pieces. This is a trend that will most likely continue in the years to come, and you can expect big names like Kanye West to continue being involved.

Denver's First-Ever Sneaker Bar | Sneekeazy

Calling all cocktail enthusiasts and sneakerheads, Denver’s first cocktail lounge paired with specialty sneaker store, Sneekeazy, is now open. Located above Element Kitchen & Cocktail in an expansive second floor loft, the Sneekeazy offers a combined boutique and bar experience where you can sip on expertly crafted cocktails, shop the world’s most coveted shoes and enjoy a unique take on Denver’s downtown nightlife scene.

Sneekeazy showcases Jordans, Yeezys and rare footwear and in addition will utilize its network of collectors to track down one-of-a-kind pieces for the public. The store also boasts a “SneakerSom” who serves as the resident sneaker expert and will offer cobbler services and specialized custom footwear. Once you’re done shopping, continue to a saloon-style lounge offering specialty cocktails, small bites, and live music and DJs every night. The cocktails are complimented with a lofty lounge atmosphere, complete with free-to-play pool tables, shuffleboard and classic arcade games! Enjoy the lounge areas and cozy up with comfortable living room furniture to retreat for a little privacy and intimate conversation. The small bites menu was created by celebrity Chef John Tesar and is available until 1 a.m., satisfying late-night cravings and featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Each dish is priced at $10.

“We’re really excited to bring a fresh and exciting concept with another late-night option to Denver’s nightlife scene,” says Element Hospitality’s Jon Spadafora. “The speakeasy is much larger than typical hidden bars and boasts several different lounges. We’re also featuring Colorado beer and spirits, as well as a rooftop deck offering views of both the state capitol and downtown skyline.”

Catering towards the late-night crowd, Sneekeazy will be open Wednesday - Saturday from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m., with DJs starting every night at 8 p.m. The space also features art from local Denver creatives that will rotate through on a regular basis. Upcoming happenings include custom designed sneaker giveaways by local tattoo artists, acoustic nights on with local musicians, and more.