Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website
Sneakers have long transcended their utilitarian purpose, becoming symbols of cultural identity and artistic expression. This concept was central to an event held at St. John's University on February 6, marking the inauguration of "We Are Shoe York City." The exhibit, created by members of the Division of Sport Management at The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, honors the influence and design of urban footwear.
The exhibition is hosted at the Dr. M. T. Geoffrey Yeh Art Gallery in Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall and will be open until the end of the spring semester. It coincides with the 40th anniversary of Nike's "Be True to Your School" advertising campaign.
"New York is a fashion destination and the birthplace of hip-hop," said Emily M. Keller, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Division of Sport Management, who curated the collection alongside Simon M. Pack, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the same division. "What we want to show is that while it is in New York City and we have this great sneaker culture, all these different areas became representative of specific things, from the hip-hop artists that came out of that borough or the specific fashion designers."
Attendees at the opening were introduced to industry experts, including several sneaker designers who participated in a panel discussion on sneakers' history and their ties to art, athletics, and music originating from New York City.
Sneaker designers Danny Lee and Hector Perez paid homage to former Men's Basketball Coach Lou Carnesecca by crafting a custom pair adorned with details reflecting his legacy. They incorporated pieces from an imitation Coach Carnesecca sweater into their design as a nod to his impact.
"Coach Carnesecca was a St. John's icon," Mr. Lee stated while working on a sneaker tongue adorned with sweater remnants.
Visitors experienced old-school hip-hop music as they explored corridors styled like New York subway stations featuring displays with sneakers symbolizing each borough's unique culture.
Some notable models include Run DMC Adidas Superstar for Queens and Nike's Wu-Tang Clan Dunks for Staten Island—designs easily recognized by younger generations at St. John's University.
David P. Hedlund, Ph.D., Professor and Chairperson for Sport Management explained how sneaker culture emerged following Nike’s collaboration with Michael Jordan in 1984 which led to Air Jordans' creation—a pivotal moment when sneakers became canvases expressing individuality through customization by artists across various fields.
Included within this showcase are iconic models from brands such as Adidas, Converse Nike Puma Reebok along with exclusive designs crafted specifically for athletes like Serena Williams Sabrina Ionescu representing significant moments within sports history via footwear innovation over time.
Giovanni Rego—a junior sporting red high-top Air Jordans—noted how important stylish shoes have become among peers today: "For something worn so low to ground you want people look up take notice," he shared enthusiastically adding himself into ranks passionate collectors known affectionately worldwide simply 'sneakerheads.'
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