Northern Launch of Trainers by Neal Heard

The NORTHERN LAUNCH OF TRAINERS BY NEAL HEARD follows up the recent London launch, with another chance to purchase the book’s 4th edition and have it signed by the man himself.

Packed with more than 300 trainers, from classics to rarities, this new edition of his book is the most up-to-date version available, with plenty of new information and images to absorb. It includes a handy guide to collecting, sourcing and maintaining your trainers and there are in-depth features on the scene and people within it.

We asked Neal about how the book has developed and evolved since the first edition and for his thoughts on today’s scene:

“The alterations in the ‘trainer landscape’ from the book’s first edition print in 2003 to its latest release this year can be compared for trauma and impact to God creating the earth in 7 days. That’s how much has changed, but in a slightly longer timescale.”

In this day and age, anybody with an internet connection and a smartphone can be an expert. Some of the information thrown into the first edition, which can seem common-place now, was unheard of back then. The whole industry has played catch-up to the kids off the street. For instance, in the first edition, virtually the only pairs of old skool Vans you could locate in the UK came from my own collection, and all feature in the book with the Made in the USA heel tags. Now, you couldn’t go to your local shop without seeing someone in a pair, or no city lacks a Vans shop. The majority of the shoe models featured, which can seem commonplace now, were literally unseen back then: the adidas Jeans, Air Jordan 1, etc. etc. etc. were all as rare as rocking horse *~!%. Now you can choose your colour and country issue…”

“Whilst it’s great to share the love, I do bemoan the homogenisation of the scene, people from Lagos, Lisbon to London, using the American term ‘sneakers’ depresses me TBH. Don’t forget, trainers are all about ‘tribes’ expressing themselves, being different, making a statement, not following the pack. Anyway, the world’s woken up and caught up. Long may it continue and I hope the book runs and is imitated for another 15 years! Enjoy!”

With regards to the Northern launch, Neal went on to say:

It was an honour for me to collaborate with TRANSALPINO and for them to host the event. For me, it was taking the story of trainers full circle. It was in Liverpool that the whole UK trainer culture started back in the late ’70s, and the TRANSALPINO boys were literally some of the original lads who traveled to Europe and brought rare models back to the UK – and that’s how it all started.

The LACES OUT! boys host the superb annual festival up there and are kindly helping out with the event. As well as the party and book signings, there will be an exhibition of rare shoes and casual gear. We invite everyone to come and say hello and celebrate the love!

The NORTHERN LAUNCH OF TRAINERS BY NEAL HEARD will be held on the 1st Floor of SOHOS at 80 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HR on SATURDAY 13 JUNE from 1-5pm. In the meantime you can check out our roundup of the London launch here.