My series Sole explores the evolution of sneakers and how they have impacted our culture. Worn by athletes, celebrities, runway models, and kids of all ages, sneakers have become major staples in the fashion industry. 

There’s a story behind every sole. That said, my series begins where it started back in 1921. Sneakers got their start to fame through Converse Sneakers. Chuck Taylor, a salesman for Converse became the face of the shoe after promoting it so well. This led to the first ever celebrity-endorsed athletic shoe. Years later in 1985, Michael Jordan debuted the first ever Michael Jordan’s Nike Air Force sneaker making him an icon in pop-culture across the board. This bridged the gap between sports and everyday life. Similar to athletes, musicians, artists and celebrities began including sneakers in their wardrobe making them a staple of modern fashion. This soon led to collaborations between artists and major fashion brands. 

My goal with this series is to express the sense of connection between the evolution of sneakers and the impact it has on culture. As you move through the series, you see shoes worn in famous movies, ones endorsed by athletes as well as collaborations. We use sneakers as a sense of self expression. They have helped bridge gaps within society through color, style, pattern, and texture. This theme continues through the frames with each one having its own unique style.