If you’re fascinated by the collision of high fashion and streetwear, then you may know that the sneaker is having a moment. Or perhaps we should say an era. Encrusted with expensive diamonds, made of solid gold, or selling for record-breaking figures at Sotheby’s, the designer sneaker has become a genuine collector’s item, and not only for sneakerheads but for all those interested in the cultural marriage of high art and street style.
A luxury sneaker can be a wise investment, many of those on this list have seen their value soar since their first release. Whether or not they are in mint condition, it is often the story that surrounds the sneaker that lends it its cachet, adding a sense of rarity and nostalgia to the shoe, which pushes prices sky-high.
So, while the price tag on some of these sneaker brands may leave you in need of a stiff drink, rest assured that their value can and does fluctuate according to the whims of the somewhat fickle world of fashion, and you can always find designer sneakers for a rather more digestible price from MR PORTER or FARFETCH.
Want more sneaker stories? Check out our guides to rarest Nike sneakers, Nike Dunk vs. Jordan 1 comparison, and best Air Jordans of all time.