Change Clothes

In late April, tribes of young people from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago relinquished the comforts of their warm beds and private bathrooms to spend a few days camped out on sidewalks waiting in line. Given the recession, it would be easy to mistake the assembly of sleeping bags and lawn chairs for impromptu tent cities. But one look at their freaked-out feet revealed that these were not street kids; they were sneakerheads. The sole fanatics who braved the city streets in April were jonesing for the new $215 Air Yeezy — a collaboration between artist (and self-professed sneakerhead) Kanye West and Nike. Most who waited left empty-handed, casualties of the super-limited quantities. Those lucky enough to spend their money on a pair left feeling like they had won the lottery. Next month, next week, they’ll all be clamoring for something new to whet their appetites.

— WireTap Magazine - Sneakerheads Come Clean