While running through sprinklers or looking for shade may have been a top priority for many on a scorching hot Sunday, some sneakerheads and streetwear lovers spent their afternoon — air-conditioned— looking at all the latest sneakers and streetwear in Detroit.
Held at the Wayne State Fieldhouse, the “Sneaker Grab,” now its third year, was held as a collaboration for the first time between the Detroit Pistons and Michigan Sneaker XChange. Considered the state’s premier sneaker and streetwear trade show, it aimed to connect sneakerheads with local vendors.
“Detroit has its own style in a unique way,” said Tamar Davis, brand and lifestyle marketing manager for the Detroit Pistons. “I think we kind of set the trend. We also create our own trend and move to our own beat when it comes to fashion and also creativity, and that’s something that we try to get across with this event today.”
The event gave attendees not only an opportunity to buy a plethora of streetwear, but also dribble a basketball, listen to music from a live DJ, win prize giveaways and witness an appearance from Bobi Klintman, the Pistons’ power forward. Although the event is coined as a “Sneaker Grab,” Davis said it is ultimately about displaying creativity, but especially the creativity of real people in the city of Detroit.
Brands like Weekend Market, a streetwear company started by two Ann Arbor high schoolers, showcased their own creativity, selling hoodies and sweatpants they designed at the event. Their sweat sets contain the word “America” plastered in pink across the chest, with large rhinestones lining the sleeves and pockets.
“We recently just dropped Saturday, and this was our first event that we came to,” said Justin McCracken, 17, Weekend Market’s co-founder. “Sometimes it’s scary coming to big events like this, hoping that people buy it, and sometimes they don’t.”
In an attempt to assure the Pistons are culturally relevant and connect with the community, Davis said his main goal, in events like these, is to foster everything they do outside the court to be organic.
“So for today, I would say that comes into play with the sneaker community, allowing people to understand that sneaker involvement is heavy in basketball,” said Davis. “It’s also heavy outside of basketball, and that Detroit has its own big sneaker community as well.”
James Caldwell, of Detroit, attended the grab event for the first time this year, in hopes of selling a pair of sneakers he brought with him and “see what’s going on in the city.” Even though no one took his shoes off of his hands, he purchased a hat from Shoes Got My Heart.
“I’m happy to be here and just enjoy the scenery,” said Caldwell, 29. “I got me a nice long snapback, a Lion’s snapback. It’s real cool, I like the material and I think you should go check it out.”
Back in 2020, Travis Williams started his brand Shoes Got My Heart, with the intention of combining his love of shoes and hats by creating his own designs. Williams said he likes to bring his “own spin” and “flavor” to traditional Detroit sports logos, showing the importance of “hometown culture.”
As a Detroit native, Williams said streetwear and fashion are inseparable when it comes to Detroit, which is evident in events like these.
“It’s another way to express yourself, whether you’re from Detroit or whatever city you may be from,” said Williams. “I think it’s another way to express your feelings and be a creator — show your creative side and bring it all together.”
Other vendors included a mix of shoes, vintage clothing — containing old Detroit logos from decades ago and fresh designs from many Detroit-based brands.
Presley Coletta, founder of De Basement, a vintage retail brand turned clothing brand, was selling three clothing racks full of his designs. His signature logo contains the infamous old English “D” plastered on top of a globe.
“It’s an homage to Detroit, but it also kind of symbolizes what I would like to represent, which is like a social creative space through clothing and events like this,” said Coletta. “I’m out here getting the name out there for lucky people who are buying it. I get to make some money, and then I just get to network and meet people.”
Coletta said Detroit is “paving its own lane, slowly but surely” in the streetwear fashion scene.
“I do think the scene here is growing even compared to a few years ago,” said Coletta. “I feel like fashion wasn’t as much of an emphasis and just kind of watching and paying attention over the past few years, I feel like it’s growing day by day.”
According to Davis, the Pistons may put on an additional “Sneaker Grab,” outside of the annual event and during the NBA season, if time and resources allow during the bustling game season.
“This is the first time that we’ve collabed with Michigan Sneaker XChange and honestly, I think that it is something that we’re going to try to do moving forward for years to come,” he said.