This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 17, 2016.

Some say that sneakers find their origin in plimsolls that were popularised by beach-goers in late 18th century London. The lightweight canvas topped rubber soled shoes was the chosen form of footwear for visits to the seaside, as they were not only affordable but also comfortable to be worn on the sandy beaches. Plimsolls kept feet cool in the summer and dried quickly after a paddle in the sea. Over the years, sneakers evolved to sportswear and walking shoes. 

Last year, the Brooklyn Museum in New York showcased an exhibition dedicated to this evolution. Curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, senior curator at the Bata Shoe Museum, the exhibition was divided into the different eras of sneakers. There were some iconic sneakers on display, including a replica of Michael Johnson’s gold spikes, which he wore at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as well as the futuristic Special Forces Boot that Nike produced for military use.

Today, sneakers are not only reserved for lazy weekends or long walking trips when travelling. Instead, the versatile sneaker has rose beyond its humble beginnings, which was necessitated by practicality, to become a runway staple and fashion statement. Sportswear brands like adidas are also attempting to bring forth innovation to this form of footwear by incorporating technology such as the adidas Primeknit technology that ensure comfort and best-fit of the sneakers, as seen in its latest NMD collection.

While remaining a practical choice for many, sneakers are becoming more and more fashion forward, available in materials other than the conventional rubber and canvas as well as sporting bold colours and designs. It is not uncommon to see sneakers on the runway of high fashion brands, even those that are not confined to designing street wear only. 

Sporting Luxury

Proving that fashion and comfort can indeed go hand in hand, these footwear options are your go-to for effortless style. Louis Vuitton slip-ons and colour-blocked high-tops from Hermes both promise comfort without compromising on style.

Signature Designs

Sneakers are no longer limited to being canvas shoes with rubber soles as fashion labels explore a variety of materials and designs. Some brands do so by incorporating their signature motifs in the sneakers they design. For instance, Gucci’s selection of sneakers for men combine the brand’s monogram with various colours in a classic high-top cut sneaker collection. Bottega Veneta, on the other hand, features its intrecciato weave leather in the brands sneakers for men and women.

Audacious palette and pattern 

The choice of footwear is one way to make a fashion statement and sneakers that come in a variety of colours and designs make for an interesting accessory. Jimmy Choo’s Men’s SS16 collection, for example, is a medley of form and function, resulting in a modern hybrid of the conventional sneakers. It also features glitter-sprinkled and psychedelic designs for the adventurous fashionista. 

Fashion label and celebrity collaborations

Comme Des Garçons and Nike recently collaborated to come up with the Blazer, featuring an all-black leather upper with white added to the midsole and fans of these brands can opt between the high top and low designs. This is not CDG’s first collaboration with Nike or other sneaker-related brands for the matter. Prior to this, the Japanese fashion label partnered with ubiquitous Converse Chuck Taylor. Meanwhile, adidas revisits its iconic adidas originals by partnering celebrities like Rita Ora and more recently, Kanye West, for its Yeezy Boost line.