This story begins in 1982. While few of us may want to remember, one of the defining cultural trends of the moment was what can only be described as an aerobics craze, which started in the late 70s and was in full effect by the early 80s. Women around the world put on their ripped sweatshirts and leotards, and took to the gym to get physical, as portrayed in the number one pop song of the year, Olivia Newton-John’s Physical.
[/spb_text_block] [spb_blank_spacer height=”1px” width=”1/4″ el_position=”last”] [spb_image image=”17121″ image_size=”full” frame=”noframe” intro_animation=”fadeIn” animation_delay=”200″ fullwidth=”no” lightbox=”yes” link_target=”_self” caption=”Source: ReebokUSA” caption_pos=”below” width=”1/4″ el_position=”first”] [spb_text_block animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”3″ width=”1/2″]Taking advantage of this global fitness mania, a then relatively unknown British sneaker company, Reebok, released the Freestyle sneaker, one of the first athletic shoes designed and marketed specifically for women.
While the Freestyle was initially designed for aerobic exercise, it very quickly made its way across fashion lines, as well as across gender lines: Cindy Crawford was regularly photographed in them, Cybill Shepherd wore them to the Emmy Awards, and Mick Jagger wore a pair in his Dancin’ in the Street video with David Bowie.
The Freestyle would go on to become one of the iconic footwear designs of the 80s and 90s, contributing no small part to the development of, and by now, nearly universal obsession with, a full-blown sneaker culture, which would eventually stretch from the inner city street to the haute couture catwalk.
[/spb_text_block] [spb_blank_spacer height=”1px” width=”1/4″ el_position=”last”] [spb_blank_spacer height=”30px” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [spb_blank_spacer height=”1px” width=”1/4″ el_position=”first”] [spb_text_block title=”And Then Came Nana” animation=”none” animation_delay=”0″ padding_vertical=”0″ padding_horizontal=”3″ width=”1/2″]Fast-forward 30 years, and Helsinki accessory maker LUMI proudly introduces its first sneaker, the Nana. With a respectful and playful nod to its sneaker pedigree, Nana represents an entirely re-imagined take on the 80s urban street sneaker, with a distinctly 21st century attitude that is all its own.
Featuring vegetable tanned, dyed-through cow leather, padded wrap around Velcro ankle closure, polished brass hardware, and a 2cm rubber sole, the Nana is the quintessential street savvy sneaker for the active urbanite, one that will take you from work-out floor to dance floor and back again, in luxurious comfort and timeless style.
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