User:FrancesSilva

=Analytical Writing=

Statement of Intent
Since my major is in Fashion Marketing, I intend to further examine the trends going on in the “urban” community of Seattle, more specifically in the sneaker subculture. The business of collecting shoes has been around for about 25 years, but has only been mainstream for about one year. Since this is such a broad topic, I want to focus on Nike SB’s and Jordans; these are the two types of Nikes that immensely appraise in value, sometime being three times their original retail price. What drives the market to spend $300 to $1000 on a pair of shoes? How do sneakers appraise in value? Why do people line up for days on end for them? How media affects the “sneakerhead” subculture? Most importantly, what’s the business in sneaker collecting? I want to conduct several interviews from boutique that host “Sneaker Release Parties" and how it affects their business.

Overview
I want to analyze the sneaker subculture through the business aspect, as well as, a trend. This is a community that I am a part of and want to learn more about. There are many terms that could be defined, so I was thinking about making a glossary to define the terms needed to better understand this project.

Rationale
I hope to gain knowledge of marketing techniques and trends, especially with a city like Seattle. Some other things I hope to understand is why I find myself partaking in these events.

Publication
I am hoping to turn this into a mini-documentary, assuming I know how to use all the equipment needed. If anything, I will, for sure, make this into a photo journal or magazine.

Schedule
Week 2:

Writing out a list of key term and defining it, so people can understand what I am talking about!

Calling for interviews - Rock, Paper, Scissors; Goods; Nike

Week 3:

History of shoe collecting and Michael Jordan.

Researching the top 10 Jordans and Nike SB's.

Week 4:

Photoshoots - People of this subculture.

Week 5:

Photoshoots cont.

Week 6:

Media; celebrities

What is HYPE and its affect on shoes?

Week 7:

Applying what I was taught about trends and marketing strategies.

Examine the quality of these shoes; then vs, now.

Finding out how shoes appraise in value.

Week 8:

Conducting personal interviews.

Piecing together past video shoots.

Week 9:

Finish up writing everything together.

Week 10:

Putting together documentary or photo journal.

Week 11:

Turn everything in.

Anticipated Problems
Some things that could go wrong could involve not getting an interview for this project. Some ways I could compensate are interviewing people who actually do line up, when they start and where they are in line. I could go more in depth with what they believe is valuable and how extensive their collections are. But let’s hope nothing goes wrong.

Week 6 Project Review
I have been on track lately with the project so far. I'm still working on the photoshoot and on Saturday I had an interview with Rock, Paper, Scissors. Last Thursday I went to the "secret" sneaker shop next to Neodandi. It was such an awesome store, but sadly I couldn't get an interview with the owner because he was closing his store down. I did get a pair of Alexander McQueen x Puma shoes!

I've been thinking about how I wanted to create my final project. I really like the photo journal idea, so hopefully that pulls through. I found it somewhat difficult to actually get businesses to talk to. I've been contacting Goods and they haven't gotten back to me; maybe I will just stop by their store. I have been direct by one of my friends to try interviews "the Cool" in Tacoma. They are not a sneaker shop but their workers are pretty much addicts to that scene.

I actually really enjoy this project so far. Relating drug dealing and sneaker collecting is quite amusing. I have found parallels that I never though about before; not just with sneaker collecting, but with that whole urban culture as well.

Before Or During Week 6

 * Hidden sneaker shop next to Neodandi in the 618 Western building
 * Interviews - owners/fans/critics (people who don't like this scene)
 * Neodandi location. The hidden candy shop/sneaker shop is just south of it.


 * Profiles- photo/essay about the person/people.
 * Eight total profiles - 250 words each
 * Sneaker/Drug Dealer - fictional story?

Project
I have given you a hard copy of the project - Wednesday, March 24, 2010!