Lei Takanashi

A new era of bold designs and culturally influential athletes is reigniting interest in basketball sneakers, shifting the focus from nostalgia and celebrity collabs back to performance, personality and style.

Once an afterthought, the category is now growing faster than handbags and apparel thanks to accessible pricing, distinct aesthetics and glasses brands that prioritise identity over gimmicks.

With ‘tens of millions’ in annual sales, Tremaine Emory’s buzzed-about New York label is in expansion mode.

A wave of new performance basketball sneakers featuring fresh designs has shoppers once again considering the category for fashion and not just for wear on the court.

K-fashion made significant inroads in becoming a part of a global fashion conversation in 2025, with brands like Post Archive Faction and Gentle Monster grabbing attention. But scaling the category to become as big as other cultural exports remains challenging.

It will be the US group’s first foray into women’s retail as it looks to expand its popular streetwear retail empire.

Sportswear brands are taking digs at each other in light of the NBA Finals. But as trash talk becomes more embraced within greater public discourse, many fashion brands are riling up to the occasion.

The two young sneaker brands have been neck and neck for years as they race to see which one will be the next sneaker giant, but recently Hoka’s growth has slipped while On has charged ahead.