Nike has capitalized this sneaker subculture by making collectible small limited editions. This in turns brings the price up to any one willing to lay down big bucks. To them why would anyone want to wear something easily made available to the masses. Simple economics – supply and demand.

When rappers and sports figures started to appear in TV commercials and print ads sneakers became a status symbol. Shoe companies quickly competed for these well-known celebrities. Artists put their brushes to sneakers instead of canvas. Hand painted models hit the market giving these artists instant notoriety.

Shoe companies kept the mass merchandising machine cracking into the skateboard world signing professional boarders who brought out a new demographics with their unique design style statement. Sneaker heads come from all walks of life. They share one thing in common. Its just some choose to wear them while others choose to collect them.