How Women Are Disrupting Sneaker Customization

The world of sneakers is changing as the industry traverses an important historical transition: becoming more representative and inclusive of women. We're talking about more than just wider size runs – although those are nice, too. Whether it's grassroots community-founded Instagram initiatives like Sneakers by Women or the new wave of global creative directors like Yoon Ahn for Nike Women, in so many facets women are succeeding at levelling the playing field, or in other words, making a male-dominated sneaker industry so yesterday.

With methods of self-expression like creativity and fashion experiencing somewhat of a renaissance post-pandemic, it's safe to say that the sneaker customization niche remains booming. Like the rest of the industry, sneaker customs have been a largely male-led space. But it's time to acknowledge that we're in a new era, one that allows women to define it on their own terms. That's not to say that female creatives have never tapped into sneaker customization – just look at Nicole McLaughlin and Ava Nope, but we're proud that women are, now, doubling down. With viral creatives like Caterina Mongillo of Meta Girl Studio and All Amin of Haram taking over our feeds and experiencing official brand commissions, women are chopping up sneaker customization and putting it back together -- their own way.

Let's take a look at how we got here.

 

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A post shared by Caterina Mongillo