Mumbai: Within the past couple of years, sneakers have received an unprecedented following among the student population and become a marker for contemporary youth fashion. The humble sports shoe has become a classic trademark of most college campuses and high school corridors, moving way beyond its original athletic purposes. This surge has been powered by the confluence of accessibility, designer collaborations, and timeless appeals to comfort meeting style.
It is not uncommon for us to come across a student with a pair of original Jordans from time to time. That craze has accelerated the making of even near-identical fake ones in the market, which are generally called 'first copies'. You may find these first copies on websites and without much effort in Bandra’s fashion street and Colaba market in Mumbai.
Students Share: "Why?" Shrey Khosla, a student from Andheri who is currently pursuing his master's from a college in Pune, questions, “When everything is available so cheap in the market for near the same quality, why should there be a need for anyone to spend on more expensive ones?” The democratisation of sneaker culture has also been a factor in its diffusion, as many students from all walks of life are into the trend. The real resale market has been the result of limited releases and vintage finds; sneakers turned into collectible items with social currency. As students look to distinguish themselves, sneakers become a perfect canvas for expression.
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