Sneakers are so much more than a shoe. They are a lifestyle, a cultural symbol and a symbol of belonging. There is no brand or luxury brand that has not been confronted with the design and creation of leisure shoes, the latest produced by the chain Lidl sold out in a few hours. What kind of reflections does this indispensable accessory induce? Born as a sneaker and then an icon of different styles, the Design Museum in London will host the exhibition “Sneakers unboxed: from studio to street” until October 24, a great display between culture and costume that explores the phenomenon of the shoe as an object that sublimates fashion and becomes design. The sneakers exhibition reveals the true history of the sports shoe. Visitors will also be able to see the creative process of the cult and the most technically innovative products of the past and present.

Over 270 sneaker models on display, the show includes a wide panorama of brands, from Adidas, to Converse All Star and Puma passing through those that have become references for some youth subcultures: Reebok, Vans and Asics. You will also be able to see a shoe manufacturing robot experimenting with technology that allows for the production of shoe uppers. “The exhibition ‘Sneakers unboxed: studio to street’ reveals the role that young people from diverse backgrounds have played in turning individual sneakers into style icons and driving an industry now worth billions,” says curator Ligaya Salazar. “The exhibition also offers behind-the-scenes information on new upcycling and sustainable design practices, invisible prototypes that predict the future of design, and streetwear collaborations that have changed the face of the industry.”