Exhibition Available in 2023

Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street touring exhibition

Exhibitions for Hire See a touring exhibition

Step up and discover the footwear phenomenon that has challenged performance design, inspired new subcultures and shaken the world of fashion.

'This fun show has all the answers – including how to get really fat laces.' ★★★★ The Guardian

'A technicolour medley of shapes and styles' ★★★★ Evening Standard

'A post-lockdown must-see.' Vogue

#SneakersUnboxed

Available from Autumn 2021

What to expect

Know your Air Jordans from your Air Force 1s?

From trainers originally designed for specific athletic activities like the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, the Puma Disc, and Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%, discover how sneakers such as the Reebok InstaPump Fury, the Vans Half Cab and the Asics Gel Lyte III have become cultural symbols of our times.

Take a journey through the design process behind some of the most technically inventive shoes of today with the Adidas FutureCraft.Strung shoe-making robot designed by Kram/Weisshaar, Satoshi, a brand using blockchain certification and the world’s first biologically active shoes developed by MIT Design Lab and Biorealize for Puma.

Then delve into the lucrative resale market that is currently valued at $10 billion in data visualisations from Stock X, before reliving the streetwear staple's high-fashion reinvention including sneakers by Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons and Y-3 and runway looks from A-COLD-WALL* and CRAIG GREEN.

Uncover the icons and collaborations that have shaped the sneaker scene over the years from Michael Jordan and Run-DMC to Kanye West, experience visuals and graphic work from Jamel Shabazz, Grace Ladoja, Simon Wheatley and Reuben Dangoor, and meet the designers working to make the industry more sustainable, Stella McCartney, Helen Kirkum and Alexander Taylor.

Available in 2023.