How a Love of Designer Trainers Can Sneak Up on You - Page 70

C2 Proficiency · Multiple Matching · Ready for C2 Proficiency Student's Book, Macmillan

You are going to read an article about trainers. For questions 1–10, choose from the people (A–E). The people may be chosen more than once.

CHARLIE

As an American, they'll always be sneakers to me and I'm afraid to say that social media is responsible for my obsession with, or – as I prefer to call it – appreciation of limited edition designs. Despite the widespread belief that the intertwining of basketball with hip-hop and breakdancing is behind this phenomenon, social media had far more impact in terms of collectability. Granted the roots lie in 1970s American street culture but it was actually post 2010 with the rise of online images and internet commerce that things really took off. One day as I was idly scrolling through my feed, my attention was grabbed by these amazing custom designed sneakers. I'd never seen such eye-catching designs and I immediately bought them, ignoring their somewhat eyewatering price tag, and since then I've never looked back.

RAMONA

Image is fundamental to the world of advertising and as an advertising executive, my employer has high expectations of me to look the part, especially since it's something that affects a client's perception of expertise. Regarding suits, I find understated classics more appropriate than designer gear, but trainers are a whole other story. Quality is first and foremost, something sturdy made from durable materials because I'm on my feet all day long, but that's not to say that design isn't a factor. Scouring the internet for lesser-known brands gives me the opportunity to make a statement with my footwear. While I acknowledge that this attitude is always going to incur substantial financial outlay, I see it as an investment and it's not as though I've built up a huge collection – just a select few pairs.

JESSIE

It must have been at the beginning of the 2010s when I won my first online auction for a pair of limited-edition trainers. The impulsive nature of my purchase took me somewhat by surprise, but as soon as I spotted them online I knew I had to own them. Their design was unlike anything I'd laid eyes on previously and therefore the compliments and envious glances I received from colleagues, friends and strangers alike came as little surprise. Until then, I'd been oblivious of this 'trainers as collectors' items' trend, one that's often based on celebrity endorsement. Gradually, it dawned on me that selling them could have earned me several times more than I paid, but I wanted to show them off so wore them to death. I kept a close eye on the resale market noticing the incredible markup in some cases and later set up what ultimately turned out to be a reasonably profitable side hustle.

YOSHIE

Whilst at fashion school, I did an internship with a designer specialising in sports footwear, the leading name at the time, and so a great placement. His designs were extraordinary; radical and flamboyant to the point of being slightly garish at times, but nevertheless they were snapped up by celebrities eager to ditch their swanky designer heels for something comfortable yet stylish. To my utter surprise, at the end of the internship I was given a pair. I couldn't believe my luck and after a matter of days I realised that their comfort was second to none and this was where my career path lay. I managed to land a job as a junior designer in an up-and-coming footwear studio, where I've worked on all sorts of innovative designs and my own style has gone from strength to strength.

THOMAS

Running a boutique footwear store means I have to keep up to date with my clients' shifting tastes and the boom in designer trainer sales some years ago made me take a more favourable position. Where once heels were the go-to shoe for office wear, sales have declined so much so that it doesn't make any financial sense to maintain a large stock. Replacing them with a selective, but high-quality set of designer trainer brands has done wonders for the business. Clients can also order custom-made designs from a couple of our suppliers which is great as it creates loyalty and repeat business. The sector is pretty cut-throat these days and it pays dividends to stay abreast of all the emerging players on the scene as well as what's trending online among customers.

the universally favourable reception given to a pair of designer trainers?

the outcome of having had a change of heart about the relevance of trainers?

a rational approach to the extravagance of their spending on trainers?

an experience which was a determining factor in their employment?

the description of an action that was contrary to their usual behaviour?

a habit that came about as a result of a one-off unexpected event?

the competitive nature underpinning the designer trainer industry?

a misunderstanding about trainer fashion which is prevalent amongst the public?

a means of making money from trainers that took some time to come to fruition?

the way that trainers facilitate their being able to stand out from the crowd?

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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