At Food District we curated a list featuring the best books about sneakers. A bundle of essential works every sneaker lover should have that includes interviews, illustrations, privileged information, collaborations, anecdotes and historical backgrounds from models that had a great influence in the urban culture, so take notes.
Sneaker Freaker. The ultimate sneaker book
Considered one of the greatest leaders of the global sneaker scene, Sneaker Freaker became a cult book for all the fanatics. Since its beginning as a punk fanzine to its consolidation as one of the most demanded publications by sneakerheads, Simon ‘Woody’ Wood’s creation made it to break boundaries and beat records after hundred years of history. The book Sneaker Freaker. The Ultimate Sneaker Book! x TASCHEN collects more than 650 pages with a vast collection of photographs, historical facts, thrilling information, milestones and all king of curiosities regarding this absorbing world. The legendary zine’s best content compiled in one book. A pure collector’s gem that you can acquire right here.
Nike SB: The Dunk Book
Danny Supas, Staple Pigeon Dunks, De La Soul, Supreme Dunk SB… the storied legacy of reinvention on Nike SB Dunk is compiled as an historical archive in Nike SB: The Dunk Book. The best existing visual museum that shows the color-ways and craftsmanship that this unique model is known for. For those who might seek a greater challenge, The Nike SB Dunk Pro 1985-2011 is a discontinued book that relates Dunk’s life journey from 1985 to the release of this volume, hard to currently find and highly prized in the second hand market.
Art & Sole: Contemporary Sneaker Art & Design
The sneaker scene resulted in a whole new market, where designers reedit models from decades ago and special editions cause queuing for days at the door of many retailers. It is being crucial to compile this culture’s creative circle in one book, and that’s what Art & Sole: Contemporary Sneaker Art & Design takes care of, showing the greatest and most original rarities, collaborations and limited editions. This masterpiece also presents artists whose work is based on sneakers, like sculptures built from them, oil paintings and many other incredible artworks. Among the featured brands appear such as Nike, New Balance, Converse, adidas, Reebok, Puma, Onitsuka Tiger, etc. And the reader will also find famous names from artists as Futura 2000, Parra, Stash and many more.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
The memories of Nike’s cofounder Phil Knight are narrated in this book, indispensable for every Swoosh enthusiast and for any entrepreneur. Throughout its 400 pages, Knight tells the story of the company from the very early and difficult days to its consolidation as one of the most potent companies all over the world. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike reveals the creation of an empire and reflects the ambitious mind of one of the most relevant men in the sportswear history.
All Gone
The French Michael Dupouy takes all the responsibility for this urban treasure, considered the streetwear Bible. It compiles every year’s most important pieces and trends. After twelve editions, All Gone still collects all the most coveted garments and exclusive collaborations. Speaking of which, All Gone 2019 already came out last month.
Out of the Box; The Rise of Sneaker Culture
If you would like to know everything about how the sneakerhead movement developed, this is the book you’re looking for. Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture tracks the surprising sneaker boom, from its merely practical athletic emergence to becoming an urban and casual fashion icon. It includes interviews with the most famous designers, curators and collectors as well as hundreds of historical archive photographs.
Where’d You Get Those? 10th Anniversary Edition: New York City’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987
Bobbito García signs this work, one of the most complete editions ever made that includes luxurious illustrations and privileged information that every sneaker devotee should know about. Where’d You Get Those? 10th Anniversary Edition: New York City’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987 analyses the first moments of the sneaker culture in New York City.
Stan Smith. Some people think I’m a Shoe
This one goes to all the OG lovers, to everyone who considers that having a pair of Stan Smith in the wardrobe is as necessary as having a coat in winter. Rizzoli’s book Stan Smith. Some people think I’m a Shoe pays tribute to the tennis player behind one of the greatest icons in Adidas history. The cultural impact caused by this model becomes evident throughout the pages of this volume that narrates Stan Smith’s anecdotes (from the player itself, not the shoe… although also from the shoe!), pop references, designers’ statements and much more. Curiously enough, Raf Simons didn’t wear anything different than the Stan Smith for more than 10 years.
Sneaker Wars. The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and Puma and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sport
The title already comes in handy. This book narrates the fierce rivalry in between the brothers Adi and Rudi Dassler, who started a shoe business together from their mom’s laundry room in Germany. Their differences turned into a bitter feud that made them separate and continue each on their own, resulting in the launch of competitors adidas and Puma.
