Art and Sole: Contemporary Sneaker Design

500 illustrations

In recent years the sneaker scene has exploded through collaboration with artists and designers. These specialist shoes are invariably produced as short runs, using innovative or luxury materials and often with bespoke packaging. Some even push the design of the shoes themselves, creating hybrids or new incarnations of classic designs. Focusing exclusively on contemporary, cutting-edge sneaker design, Art & Sole sets out to explore and celebrate the creative side of sneaker culture, showing the best and most original rarities/collaborations and previewing the latest art and design. These shoes are at the sharp end of sneaker culture – not shoes that can be found in your average sports shop. The book highlights how a growing number of artists base their work on sneakers – from sculptures made from dissected shoes, to oil paintings on canvas, and even the customization of the shoes themselves. Among the top brands in the book are Nike, Adidas and Puma, and among the featured designers collaborating with them are Peter Saville, Sean D’Anconia and Haze.

London-based graphic design studio Intercity comprises Nick Foot, Nathan Gale and Tu Hoang. Founded in 2004, the company has produced work for a variety of clients, including 55dsl, Bush Records, Uniqlo, Five US, IDN, Carhartt and Creative Re.