Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture

Exhibition Website

Dec 22 2016 - Apr 2 2017

A fashion staple and cultural icon, sneakers are worn by millions of people and seem to transcend generations and socioeconomic status. Explore the significance, complex design history, and evolution of these shoes in Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture, the first exhibition of its kind in the United States, opening at the Oakland Museum of California in December 2016.

View more than 160 iconic sneakers from the 19th century to the present, including rare collectibles from the archives of brand-name manufacturers such as Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Reebok, and selections from renowned sneaker collectors—affectionately known as “sneakerheads”—including hip-hop group Run DMC, sneaker guru Bobbito Garcia, and Dee Wells of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder. Reflect on how sneakers represent identity and sports fashion, and share your thoughts on what it means to be “Town-fitted” Oakland-style. Experience film footage, photographs, design drawings, and interactive media showcasing the history, technical advancements, and fashion trends that have played a role in the sneaker’s evolution.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.

  • Costume
  • American
  • Contemporary
  • Various artists

Exhibition Venues & Dates