Fashion is cyclical. The things that were popular in one era go out of style, and then they come back stronger than ever. Look at what Gen Z is wearing right now. A lot of it looks pretty similar to what some of you probably wore in the early 2000s. Baggier pants, chunkier shoes.
It’s those chunky shoes especially that have come back in a big way. Reeboks and Nike Air Force 1’s are all the rage. But there’s another name in footwear that’s driving enormous demand and commanding a six-figure price tag at auction:
Apple.
This was a one-off sneaker made for employees in the 1990s, and now it’s available at Sotheby’s for a reported $50,000.
They look sort of like Reeboks or Air Force 1’s, honestly. There’s a subtle “Apple” logo on the side with the retro rainbow logo. The logo is also on the tongue.
https://twitter.com/tensolesdown/status/1684262462051467264
The shoes were originally part of a convention promo meant to give out to employees, though Business Insider reports that Apple did try to get in on the apparel game in the 1980s, creating merchandise for “The Apple Collection,” with things like jackets and other apparel. It didn’t last.
But, the demand for these products, coupled with the fact that now every consumer brand should double as a lifestyle brand, could indicate that Apple might want to revisit the idea.
Above all, it shows how a good giveaway item can last a long time, and still hold great value over time. The shoe’s beauty is in its simplicity — like most Apple products. That and, of course, the exclusivity.
