“Recession” Sneakers
Expensive, name-brand basketball shoes have been a teenage trend for many years–a rite of passage for many a high school athlete. Anyone who has been around teens has undoubtedly heard of the Air Jordan line of Nike basketball shoes, a brand that has been around for almost 25 years and currently sells for an average of $150 per pair.
But this far-reaching economic slowdown has not left even adolescent pride untouched. A rapper named Fat Joe has recently announced plans for a $30 shoe called The Recession, and snubbing traditional outlets, the shoes will only be sold at Sears and Kmart. While reaction from shoe aficionados has been mixed, all are surprised, and some are accepting. Some who are not accepting of this break from tradition still understand the motive behind Fat Joe’s method.
I’d be interested to know what students have to say about this. Would they be more likely to buy shoes designed by a famous person? Could the stigma of buying your shoes at a discount retailer be overcome? I’ll be curious to see what the further reaction to this is, and whether or not “Recession” shoes are successful.