Sneaker-focused art museum showcases curated collection and cultural experience in Los Angeles, CA.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, September 4, 2021 — Blending fashion, art, and culture creates a meaningful exhibit that explores unique perspectives and preserves history. Sneakertopia was established to explore sneaker culture and how it has permeated American life. Co-founders Steve Harris and Steve Brown started Sneakertopia in 2019 with a vision for the perspective an arts and culture museum focused on sneakers could bring to LA.
“We have created a unique art museum that works together to tell the story of sneaker culture,” says Sneakertopia Co-Founder and CEO Steve Harris. “We are inspired by the artists and athletes that have created a vibrant culture that started in America and now has impacted the world. Sneakers are for everyone—the intersection where functionality meets art and human expression.”
How Film and Fashion Connected the Sneakertopia Co-Creators
Steve Harris first enrolled at Howard University to study fashion design and art history before switching to film and TV. After film school, he directed and produced music videos for everyone from Big Pun and Ashanti to Akinyele and Ice T. His documentary style of directing naturally evolved to overseeing unscripted reality television. In turn, this led to ultimately taking on the role of network development executive at Discovery Channel and A&E. Since 2021, Harris has been the head of the unscripted for Marlon Wayans unscripted comedy, Workaholics Entertainment.
It was this deep understanding of popular culture, art, and fashion that pushed Harris to pursue Sneakertopia. Steve Harris met Steve Brown during a film collaboration project.
Sneakertopia Co-founder and President Steve Brown is a tech innovator with over 200 patents. In addition, he has started two companies that successfully sold to major global brands before going into the film industry. Brown produced and directed a series of award-winning documentaries. After meeting Steve Harris and sharing an affinity for film, the pair decided to tell the story of sneaker culture by creating a museum with an augmented reality experience.
Exploring the Popularity and Art of Shoe Game in America
The creators of Sneakertopia Los Angeles are making this place a must-visit destination by meticulously curating a revolving collection of kicks. The featured sneakers are highlighted next to 16-foot, larger-than-life murals, enhanced with AR technology that aims to preserve the legacy and impact of sneaker culture. Starting with the first Converse All-Stars designed in 1917 and the first pair of Jordan’s released in 1984, sneaker culture spans decades, retailers, designers, generations, and cultural groups.
The creators of Sneakertopia hope to help upcoming generations appreciate the rich history and diverse roots of sneaker culture. “This is a crucial juncture in American history,” said Harris. “Sneakers are the front line of a culture that deserves to be celebrated. Sneakertopia offers an opportunity to see incredible works of art and sneakers that you wouldn’t see anywhere else. We are really proud of how it has all come together and we enjoy watching visitors get so excited about the exhibits.”
Whenever a subculture makes waves in the economy, people take note and begin to recognize it as valid, says Sneakertopia. Things that start as a niche interest often turn into a mainstream trend if they gather enough steam. Brewing over the course of a century, the sneaker culture craze has impacted millions of people over the last two decades, forever making its imprint on American art, fashion, pop culture, and daily life. The culminating result has brought people together from all walks of life.
Artists like Kicktradomis, Mimi Yoon, Man One, and McFlyy, are responsible for the featured art at Sneakertopia. And, their impressive list of contributing artists continues to grow.
A Kanye West statue (N.S.E. West) designed by artist David Weeks was unveiled in 2020 at Sneakertopia of LA to depict the famous shoe celebrity and icon. The electroplated alloy sculpture stands as a testament to the impact of Kanye. In April, Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes worn by Kanye to the 2008 Grammys set a sneaker culture milestone when they sold for $1.8 million in a private sale and became the most expensive pair of sneakers ever sold.
The Kanye statue is just one piece amidst towering murals of the icons and creators of sneaker culture. Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Lebron James, Steph Curry, and Donald Glover are just a few of the immortalized characters selected to grace the walls of the Sneakertopia galleries.
Other parts of the museum feature mural artwork highlighting various elements of sneaker culture and memorializing sneaker releases. One section focuses on sneakers in film, creating fantastical sneakers—like Marty McFly’s Nike Mags. Some of the rotating collections are lent to Sneakertopia by private shoe collectors who want to share their passion with others.
Sneakertopia: Step into Interactive Cultural Expression
Throughout the museum, there are plenty of spots for social media-worthy photo ops. The interactive experience is designed to help visitors become part of the story and not just a bystander looking at a display. At the end of the museum experience, Sneakertopia of LA visitors exit through a gift shop like no other; an entire sneaker store with the latest sneaker releases, apparel, and artwork.
The museum even offers an app to help boost the experience of visitors with VR technology. Visitors can complete quests, imagine their own Sneakertopia and obtain virtual NFT goods on the app. Brown says he believes offering the latest technology is a crucial part of providing a display worthy of the subject matter.
Tickets to visit Sneakertopia of Los Angeles are purchased online. This ensures that each visitor gets an immersive experience without the spaces becoming overly crowded. The LA shoe museum pledges to continue offering a sneaker experience sure to ignite inspiration and an appreciation for sneaker culture.
