✅ Experts in Every Investment: A Sneaker Enthusiast
Constantin Philippi is our sneaker expert, who helps us source the best and rarest investment grade pairs worldwide. Before we talk about Constantin's fascinating insight into the world of sneaker investing, we would like to present you some amazing recent auction results:
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Michael Jordan's Signed Air Jordan 1s (Rookie Season): Purchased for $560,000, these sneakers were part of a larger collection auctioned by Canadian billionaire Miles Nadal. His auction, held in June 2024, included numerous high-value items. (Man of Many)
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Nike "Moon Shoe" (1972): This handmade prototype designed by Bill Bowerman for the 1972 Olympic Trials sold for a staggering $437,500. It's one of only a few pairs in existence and the only unworn pair known. (Sothebys.com)
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Nike MAG "Back to the Future" (2016): This pair, featuring self-lacing technology and a futuristic design, fetched between $50,000 and $70,000. (Sothebys.com)
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Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 "Cactus Jack" Friends & Family Collection: This collection of five rare pairs sold for an estimated $45,000 to $60,000. (Sothebys.com)
Constantin Philippi has been immersed in the sneaker world since 2010, and his passion for these coveted kicks is infectious. For him, many pairs are more than just sneakers; they are true works of art.
Highest Sneaker Sale
Philippi once sold a pair of "Nike Dunk Paris" sneakers for over €100,000, as seen in the image below.
Current Trends
The market is currently dominated by Adidas, while Nike held the lead in 2020/21 with the Dunk hype. Popular models include the Adidas Samba, Gazelle, New Balance 1906R, and ASICS Gel-Kayano 14. However, for investment sneakers, almost exclusively Nike models are relevant.
Sneaker Market Development
The market has been highly dynamic in recent years. Limited-edition sneakers with a good story remain a good investment opportunity. Older models with high appreciation potential continue to hold their value. From 2018 to 2022, quick "flips" with high profits were possible. This is rarer today, but prices still explode for hyped releases.
Valuing Rare Sneakers
For rare sneakers, Philippi analyzes price development, auctions, and transactions. The condition and comparability with other pairs play a role. His network provides him with additional support.
Qualities for Investment Potential
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What's the story behind the shoe? When was it released? Who was behind it? Was it a collaboration with a celebrity?
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The condition of the sneakers must of course be right. This should actually always be deadstock, i.e. brand new and unworn. For particularly old pairs, this is often an impossibility. Therefore, the search can sometimes take a very long time.
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Whether accessories are included is also analyzed. However, there is not always a box included, because it is e.g. a sample or 1-of-1.
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In the end, it is important that there is a real investment case. This then involves a deep analysis.
Authenticity Checks
Philippi verifies the origin, the history of the previous owners (similar to expensive paintings), detailed photos, and applies various techniques to detect counterfeits. This includes material testing, comparison of size specifications, and consultation with his network. Even a smell test can be informative.
Career Highlight
"A nice story that I still remember well: In 2015, I met an ex-national football player from the Netherlands at an event here in Berlin. We talked about sneakers at some point and I showed him a pair of the Adidas Yeezy 750 that had just been released, which I was lucky enough to get. I told him that it was a women's size (size 40). He then replied that that was his shoe size. That was a bit embarrassing for me at first, but in the end he bought the shoes from me for a relatively large amount of money and from that moment on I kept buying shoes for him. Size 40 has been my lucky size ever since."
Adidas Yeezy 750 2015
Advice for Sneaker Investments: Constantin's advice for aspiring sneaker investors is to pay attention to the sneaker's story, limitation, release date, and condition.
Future of the Sneaker Market: Philippi expects to see continued exciting collaborations, innovations, and investment opportunities. Evergreens such as rare Nike Dunks, limited Friends & Family versions, sneakers worn by celebrities, samples, and real 1-of-1s will remain valuable.
The Nike Air Jordan 4 Travis Scott Purple Friends & Family is the result of an exclusive collaboration between Nike Travis Scott.
Key Takeaways:
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Sneaker investing can be a lucrative but risky endeavor.
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Thorough research and expertise are crucial for making sound investment decisions.
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Authenticity verification is essential to avoid costly counterfeits.
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Limited-edition sneakers with compelling stories and strong provenance tend to hold the greatest investment potential.
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The sneaker market is dynamic and ever-evolving, requiring investors to stay abreast of trends and developments.
