Take a look at any line for a sneaker drop, and you’ll have all the proof you need that sneakers and streetwear have always been male-dominated spaces. That’s not to say that there isn’t a female contingent, though. It’s always been there, and it’s growing by the day, but you wouldn’t know it. Female representation in sneakers has a long way to go, but we’re loving where it’s headed.
Names like Chitose Abe, Yoon Ahn, and Aleali May are paving a way for more women to get involved in sneakers with their eye-catching designs. In fact, we’d say that right now, sneakers designed by women are the strongest they’ve ever been and the pace looks set to increase. Need evidence? Keep scrolling.
We hit the stacked pages of eBay to round up ten of the best female-designed sneakers available to buy. From hit collaborations to highlight general-release silhouettes, women have brought around some of the most exciting moments in sneaker culture lately, and 10 of them are below.
The prices listed are our lowest buy-now finds at the time of publishing. They are not exact and may differ.
Released in May 2019, Cactus Plant Flea Market’s take on the Nike Vapormax caused waves in the sneaker community. How could it not? Bold logo detailing and a 3D Swoosh characterize the shoe designed by Cynthia Lu.
British designer Grace Wales Bonner’s eponymous label is two years into a partnership with adidas and we’re really hoping it’s got a few more years left in it. A standout of the collaboration so far has been the Samba updates.
Rei Kawakubo is an icon in fashion as a whole. Her COMME des GARÇONS label has long been a front runner in high fashion thanks to its unmistakable designs. This 2021 reiteration of the 1983 Nike Carnivore comes in signature Kawakubo black & white.
Melody Ehsani is one of streetwear’s leading ladies and her footwear collaborations have certainly accelerated her rise. Take this Jordan OG design from early 2020. Little details like ME initials to the heel and the cherry lace addition steal the show here.
Yoon Ahn’s AMBUSH has ushered in a new era for women in fashion. From jewelry to sneakers, AMBUSH dominates headlines for every drop and when they look this good, that makes sense.
Vivienne Westwood’s punk aesthetic doesn’t instantly feel in line with sneaker design, but several iterations into the ASICS partnership and it turns out it’s one of the strongest. This 2021 pair references an earlier design with the ripped net around the upper.
Serena Williams needs no introduction, but this pair might. The Nike Court Flare Air Jordan 1 Serena Williams is little known and very divisive. Taking after the AJ1 Bred, this is one for the collectors.
Casablanca isn’t woman-owned, but the New Balance 327 is the brainchild of Manchester-based designer Charlotte Lee. The New Balance 327 has swept the market with a distinctive ‘70s aesthetic, arguably aiding shifting sneaker tastes as a whole.
Chitose Abe’s Nike collaborations are wildly popular and wildly bold. There’s no way you can miss these chopped and screwed designs, and the ever-growing roster of colors proves their popularity.
Stylist and designer Aleali May is another returning personality in the Nike collaboration rotation. Several highly popular partnerships have left us wanting more. This Satin Shadow release from 2017 features corduroy uppers that contrast with silver overlays for an eye-catching finish.
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