Collection of Accent Group, Melbourne

Collection of adidas Australia, Melbourne

Collection of ASICS OCEANIA, Sydney

Collection of Astoria VIII, Melbourne and Sydney

Astoria VIII was formed in early 2005 by 2 Brothers with the aim of creating unique works which allowed the individual to differentiate themselves through the medium of customised sneakers. All work is hand painted with precise attention to detail by DLV and designed in conjunction with J.H.A. Astoria VIII draw inspiration for their works from all forms and sources; from basic flyers and magazine ads through to the works of the Impressionists, whilst also applying their own sense of style to the design. Astoria VIII is primarily based in Sydney, Australia. In addition we also have a studio in Melbourne.

Collection of Sevag Atamian, Melbourne

I've been thinking about my comments about collecting and I think it can be best summed up by saying that it's become a compulsive obsession. No one NEEDS 500 pairs of sneakers, but I need to have a particular pair to match a particular T-shirt. But I think it all comes down to the greatest sneaker ambassador of all in MICHEAL JORDAN. When we were growing up we could only wear them, now we collect them and we wish we kept all the ones we had as kids. But now it seems stupid to stop at 500, then 1000 and so on. I'll get there.

Collection of Jazz Bonifacio, Melbourne

Collection of Andrew Bourrillon, Melbourne

Growing up in the early 80's, my passion for sneakers began when I was in primary school. I loved athletics, so was always biased towards running shoes. As my parents were migrants to the country, their budget couldn't allow for me to get the latest and greatest running shoes. I remember saving my money, which I got for my birthday, to buy my first pair of adidas De Castella's. I was so proud of them and cherished every moment I wore them. I could never afford the Air Max 87's or the Air Max 90's. Given that I can now afford to purchase them, it is a perfect way to re-create what my collection would have been that many years ago.

As a teenager in the 90's my interest for basketball increased. This was inspired by the likes of Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. This era gave rise to sneakers such as the Air Max 180 and the Air Force 180 - both of which are represented in my offerings. The 90's also brought about the brand called Troop, who made hi - top basketball sneakers that was aimed at the hip hop genre. Being into musical tastes like LL Cool J and Public Enemy, I was drawn to purchase a pair of Troop Pro Model's which were sold for a tidy sum at Central Station Records on Flinders Street. Those were the days!!

My collection represents all the sneakers I would l have loved to have in my youth, but could never afford. It brings back many memories of when sneaker design was simple and fresh and we wore our sneakers until the soles fell off.

Collection of Converse

Collection of DC Shoes

Collection of Steve Duck, Melbourne

Collection of Dunlop Sport Footwear, Melbourne

Collection of Evolve, Melbourne

Collection of Mathew Fabris, Melbourne

I grew up in the late 80's to early 90's and never really had nice shoes as a kid although this was not he case with some of my friends. Growing up wanting what they were able to wear and being a big fan of Michael Jordan was the main inspiration for the beginning of my collection. As soon as I began work I finally had the means to purchase the shoes I desired as a kid in primary school and this lead me down the road of collecting. Now it's not about how many pairs I have or their rarity but the enjoyment I get from wearing them or tracking something down and being able to obtain it.

Collection of Nicholas Ford, Melbourne

I'm beginning to think that being an identical twin may in some way be responsible for my liking sneakers. You see both twins and sneakers come in pairs. One's left: I kick the footy with my left foot and bat left handed in cricket; one's right: my brother does the same things right handed. Although coming from the same place of origin, each twin and shoe is unique.

Always had nice' shoes as a youth. Parents weren't rich, weren't poor, and didn't see the reason in spending silly coin on sneakers that my brother and I would grow out of within a year. This meant we had to be smart. At the age of 12 we would spend days wondering around Whitehorse plaza, Box Hill Central and Donny Shoppo looking at shoes and stealing Nike Air tags, and air bubbles; closest I was getting to the real things. We'd go to Camberwell Junction, Runner's World in Kew, Bob Stewart's and some other shop in Kew Junction, Sim's Sports in Smith St. and into MSD and Myer in the city.

The best places we found were Sports Conscious in Toorak Village (which had Fila (when it was cool!), Ellesse, Sergio Tacchini and some other Euro stuff, and our favourite: Sportsmart in Moorabbin. Sportsmart had lots of end of run stuff, and some just plain bizarre product. Whenever we went to Bulleen or Nunawading to basketball, we'd rush to check what the little stores in the stadiums had in stock.

I still recall first seeing the Jordan IV white/red/black at Nunawading- simply sublime. I remember my dad laughing about how I couldn't stop looking down at everyone's feet everywhere we went. Not much has changed, except that now I am able to buy a few memories and create a few new ones.

Collection of Michael 'dirtyfresh' Good, Melbourne

My family has always been heavily into sport and lucky for me they kitted me out in the latest Nikes back in my primary school years. At 11 years old I distinctly recall insisting that my new white/infrared Air Jordan VI's lay beside me in my New York bed the first night I purchased them. That was 1992 and from then on I was officially hooked.

I started buying my own stuff as soon as I finished high school in 98, but didn't realize there was a whole scene until I worked in a shoe shop in London with people suffering from similar trainer-related afflictions in 2003. From then on things have increased exponentially.

I have been into athletics for as long as I can remember and this has shaped what I fiend for. I'm a sucker for original vintage running models from the late 80s and 90s. I have bits of everything, but racing flats, spikes, and runners will always be my first love.

Collection of Jero, Sydney

My interest in sneakers developed from a design perspective. I like to collect sneakers, particularly Nike runners, from roughly 1987 to 1993. What I like about this period is the unique and inspiring designs that were influenced by new technologies that were being developed at the time. These included visible Air units, footbridges, further development in Air cushioning and the use of new, lightweight materials such as neoprene, nylon mesh, synthetic suede, blown rubber and spandex. The shoe designs were uncluttered and used simple lines and geometric-like shapes. They were visually balanced by the use of colour and bright colours were often used. The designs of this period were streamlined, had a sense of movement about them and proportioned the foot well. They are like a work of art / design worn on the foot.

Collection of Marc Liew, Sydney

I can still remember Andre Agassi wearing the bright lava-red and black Nike Air Tech Challenge II's in the early 90s. They were the most unusual pair of sneakers I had ever seen. While buying them, I realised that there were so many other cool sneakers out there. I have been fascinated with sneakers ever since.

I definitely think the late 80s and the 90s were the best in terms of sneaker development and design, especially for basketball. I was constantly on the lookout for new designs even though I had no intention of purchasing. Just looking at them and feeling them was sometimes good enough for me but I would most definitely buy five pairs of those Agassi Air Tech Challenge II's and III's if they were to re-issue them again.

Collection of Maria Limberis, Melbourne

My obsession with sneakers began after seeing "BreakDance" starring my idol at the time, breakdancer Boogaloo Shrimp. I taught myself to breakdance, which came naturally with my gymnastics training, but there was one major problem. I was never allowed to wear sneakers and had to backspin in a pair of black patent Mary Jane shoes. After convincing my father, who could never say no to me, to buy me the pair of Nike canvas Blazers, that Boogaloo wore in the film…the monster had begun!

My mother desperately wanted to keep me in dresses and pretty shoes for the rest of my life, but I had other ideas, as most daughters do! I always had a major passion for adidas trainers as they were so closely linked to the culture of music I had been brought up on, Hip Hop. My brother would wear his shoes with the laces so loose, that I started to try and emulate him. Finally, when I started to earn my own money I was able to buy any type of sneaker I so desired. Initially I was drawn to sneakers with the brightest funkiest colours, to go with my outfits, but as time went on, and more money was spent, I started to be incredibly interested in the designs and materials used.

I eventually succumbed to converting to Nike sneakers even though I was so dedicated to the adidas brand. With the massive selection of fantastic releases by Nike, my collection has grown to “unhealthy” proportions. I really have no concrete answer as to why I collect sneakers, I suppose I wouldn't have to answer peoples queries if I collected Manolo Blahniks, but as I say...don't step on my Manolo's!

Collection of Dominique Loulie, Melbourne

I've been into basketball since '89, when I first watched a NBA game on SBS and heard about a guy named Michael Jordan when his shoes was gleaming from the court. These shoes weren't like all others. I had to do what I could to get my mother buy me a pair since the sixth grade. These are the only brand of kicks that I can be seen in and the rest is history. Being that today I am still a sneaker collector.

Collection of Jason Nichols, Melbourne

It all started out of a necessary knowledge base due to my line of work. Dealing with foot and other lower limb biomechanical problems, the knowledge of correct footwear and correct choice of footwear is very important. I have written articles for various magazines on the specifics of particular running shoes but this still wasn't enough. I have taken the advice that wearing a different pair of shoes everyday is good for your feet but I have taken this a little further. I now have enough shoes to wear a different pair everyday for the next three years. Some shoes get worn once, some never get work and some get beaten.

Collection of Nike

Collection of Brett Pooley, Melbourne

Private Collections, Melbourne

Collection of Puma Australia, Melbourne

Collection of RareAirShoes, Melbourne

Collection of Sekure D, Melbourne

Once the my sneaker collection was starting to fill out I took the next step and combined my love of sneakers with my love of graffiti street art to create original, one off designs for myself and my friends. The first shoe I created was based on the artist Frank Miller and his graphic novels "Sin City". The reception received from these was all positive and the rest is now all history.

Collection of Raymond Teoh, Melbourne

I work for the man (Bowerman) so I'm a die-hard Nike fan boy. If there's Swoosh I'm into it. That said, my tastes are varied and within it's limitations I consider my collection quite eclectic.