The high cost of entry and the fickle footwear market makes creating a sneaker line a very daunting task. While many makers have chosen either sport or runway fashion as a launching pad, one of the most successful means of entry has been via an established clothing company.<\/p>\n
In recent years, the explosion of streetwear, sneakers and the internet has led to some of the most celebrated new footwear lines. While success for such lines has been varied and hard to compare to that of the long established brands, it\u2019s worth chronicling as well as congratulating. Focusing primarily on streetwear favorites of the past two decades, we offer a recent history of clothing brands that launched sneaker lines.<\/p>\n
*Note* This piece is limited to clothing companies that launched and produced their own sneaker line, rather than clothing companies that collaborated on footwear with already established brands.<\/p>\n
Clothes:<\/strong> 1999 Though many brands and boutiques are cooking up classics in the collab realm these days, ALIFE is one of the true legends in the field. After being birthed in 1999, ALIFE launched the RTFT line shortly after which later became ALIFE Footwear in 2006. The founder\u2019s family roots in footwear proved a solid base to both launch a brand and collaborate with others. While many companies got their feet wet working with big names first, ALIFE produced shoes from the get-go while creating game changing collabs with just about every solid shoe supplier. Though somewhat out of the market for the past year, ALIFE is constantly evolving and reinventing itself. It appears new footwear from ALIFE is on the way<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clothes:<\/strong> 1993 A Bathing Ape\u2019s beginnings date back to 1993, but the brand didn\u2019t start making shoes until 2002<\/a>. Based in Japan but full of global pop culture reference points, BAPE boomed with US consumers with the allure, familiarity and exclusivity attached to the Bapesta. Based strongly on the Air Force 1, the model spawned growth and interest in both Bathing Ape kicks and clothes worldwide. Today, BAPE footwear is still strong with an array of models ranging in style and crafted after fellow classics. It’s also more accessible, available online at Bape US<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clothes:<\/strong> 2002<\/a> In 2007, Shmack made the move from strictly streetwear to include footwear. Such expansion proved fruitful, as the same loud styling that made their gear embraced carried over well to kicks. While many of the models appear dated by today\u2019s standards, Shmack shoes sold very well when they launched and in many ways opened doors for the self made streetwear sneakers that soon followed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clothes:<\/strong> 2005 Merging hip-hop flavor with hoops nostalgia, UNDRCRWN built a strong apparel line in the mid-2000s. Footwear collabs with adidas and Rockport led to the launch of their own sneaker silo in 2007. Their marquee model relied on a minimal upper, heel cushioning and loud colorways. While UNDRCRWN no longer makes footwear, they are still heavy in the gear game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clothes:<\/strong> 2003 The Hundreds has proven one of the most visible and longest thriving brands in streetwear. In 2008, Bobby and the boys collaborated with Gravis for their first foray in footwear. The year only got busier, followed by a three-way collab with Livestock and eS, leading up to the launch of their own sneaker line. The Johnson Mid model helped kick things off in \u201808 and is still in circulation almost five years later. Ten different models are now offered by The Hundreds, available at select stockist and at their online store.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clothes:<\/strong> 2002 Started as a shop and built into a brand, HUF is a leader and an innovator that continues to evolve. Birthing the boutique concept that we\u2019ve grown to love out in San Fran, the grind and growth of HUF has been admirable. Following a slew of more than solid collabs with Nike SB, Converse and Vans, HUF launched its own footwear line of the same name in 2010. The original launch saw an array of models, many of which are still produced today. While the doors closed to their famed shop, their growth and reach has certainly not shrunk. HUF footwear can be purchased at their online store<\/a>, along with HUF footwear stockists worldwide.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clothes:<\/strong> 2002<\/a> Before kick collaborations were a daily operation, Crooks & Castles was teaming up with Vans on a slew of hot selling dual-branded drops. Gucci colorways and limited variations on seldom seen models worked well, often dropping as exclusives to the streetwear brand\u2019s flagship shop. After a slew of packs and increased availability, C&C launched their own footwear line in 2010. Canvas silos comparable to their Vans collaborations saw inspiration ranging from skateboarding, boots and boat shoes. Footwear can still be found by Crooks & Castles via their online shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clothes:<\/strong> 1998 Nick Tershay\u2019s \u201cTiffany\u201d take on the Nike SB Dunk Low remains one of the most sought after jewels in the sneaker community. The man behind skatewear powerhouse Diamond Supply Co. brought his own brand back into the footwear conversation with the launch of a sneaker line in 2011. Built off classic colorways, skateboard styling and collaborations with friends, Diamond continues to produce kicks and entice a wide audience. Footwear can be found at select Diamond stockists and the brand\u2019s online shop.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clothes:<\/strong> 1999<\/a>
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2000<\/p>\nA Bathing Ape<\/h2>\n
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2002<\/p>\nShmack<\/h2>\n photo via High Snobiety<\/a>\n
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2007<\/p>\nUNDRCRWN<\/h2>\n photo via FreshnessMag.com<\/a>\n
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2007<\/p>\nThe Hundreds<\/h2>\n
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2008<\/p>\nHUF<\/h2>\n
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2010<\/p>\nCrooks & Castles<\/h2>\n
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2010<\/p>\nDiamond Supply Co.<\/h2>\n
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2011<\/p>\nLRG<\/h2>\n
\nKicks:<\/strong> 2012<\/p>\n