Sneakerness in Cologne: when the sneaker becomes a money investment

CologneAt the trade fair & quot; sneakerness & quot; in Cologne, there are many treasures to discover for fans of chic sneakers. A few can also cost more than 7000 euros.

There are events, as the first glance may, exceptionally, fall not first into the face of the opposite, but on its feet or, more precisely, on its shoes. This is absolutely common at the sneakerness gymnastics fair. "some visitors are already thinking months in advance of which sneakers they will wear on that day. It & APOs; s about seeing and being seen, & quot; says Christoph Holzer.

The Austrian has exactly 256 pairs of sneakers in his collection. "I started skating in 1999. But I didn & APOs; t know the corresponding sneaker scene at that time. The contact only came when I met Kiwan Leung. "Holzer prefers as a brand Nike. "the style always remains similar. It & APOs; s great that the sneakers can now be designed according to individual wishes. So on the sneakerness you can find shoes in the zebra or cheetah look-something that you rarely discover on the street. "

Kiwan Leung has now made his profession out of his passion. In Cologne he is with "approved sneakers", which he founded himself. "I had 2000 sneakers in my collection. But by now, there are only 200 left. The house was just too small and now I have a family that goes on. But my children already have 20 to 30 sneakers, "says the Dutchman, who has been collecting since 1989. His treasures at the X-Post stand include the Nike Dunk "De la Sol", which were designed by the hip hop band and which also carry corresponding autographs. "that was at a concert in Amsterdam," Leung recalls. The Nike Yeezy II by rapper Kanye West are worth 2000 euros. "they're very exclusive," says Leung.

Even more expensive are the Adidas Human Race Pharrell x Chanel-they cost a proud 7500 euros. A note with the imprint & quot; Don & APOs; t touch & quot; (Don & APOs; t touch) keeps the interested parties at a distance. "the shoe was only available 500 times worldwide-200 of them were reserved for VIPs," says Jimmy from Berlin.

Sebastian Bremer from near Hanover is a collector and private dealer at the same time. "I have almost a thousand sneakers. Since I bought a farm, the place at home is good enough for the shoes. For me, my sneakers are a great passion. When I was four or five years old, I told my mother exactly what I want to wear and what I Don & APOs; t want to wear. He brought 750 pairs to Cologne for sneakerness. "the most valuable is a Nike Air Max 1 Cherrywood. For him, I would like 4000 euros. "

The Adidas Yung-1 Dragon Ball Z is the star at the Cologne sneaker shop the good will out. "every single sneaker presents a character of this series. Two new sneakers come out every month, "says René Kluwe. For him Nike still has the nose as a brand in front of the trendy sneakers. "our customers have become younger-between 12 and the end of 30. This year & APOs; s trend was really colorful sneakers. At the moment, however, you like it a little more covered. & quot;