9DRIP | JESSE MCFADDIN
WHY MORE AND MORE KIDS ARE USING BOT TO COP YEEZY'S
Back in 2017, Kanye West made a promise saying that everyone who wanted to buy Yeezys would be able so do so in the near future. Fast-forward to the present, and that now appears to be true, sort of.
Over the last couple of years adidas and Kanye West have released a whole lot more Yeezys (in terms of models and units) when compared to the early Yeezy years. From saturating the market with a plethora of new adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 colorways, to introducing new models such as the adidas Yeezy 500, 700 and even the upcoming 500 High, they’ve released a lot. To put it short, if anyone wanted to buy a pair of Yeezys they were able to do so as long as they put a little bit of groundwork.
That said, not all Yeezys are created equal. Although adidas and Kanye West are now releasing certain Yeezys in larger quantities, they also continue to release exclusive and limited Yeezys that are still hard to get. Here’s a general rule of thumb when it comes to sneakers: limited quantities + exclusivity = instant hype and a high resale value. Human instinct is to what what you can’t have, or at least what very few people have. Most of us try to find ways to stand out from the crowd, to many this means rocking the most exclusive and limited sneakers out there.
Not all Yeezy’s are created equal
Take for example the recently released adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in colorways such as Cloud White, Citrin, Lundmark and Antlia just to name a few. What do all these releases have in common? They all released alongside their respective “Reflective” counterpart. For those who may now know, the “Reflective” iteration of each of the aforementioned colorways listed above look almost identical to the non-reflective.
The major difference are the reflective hits noted throughout the Primeknit upper. That’s it. Oh yeah, there’s also one more major difference between the two.. The reflective pair is far more exclusive and limited than the non-reflective pair. So although both pairs retail for the same price, the resale value is between the two is like night and day. Put it this way: you can find certain non-reflective colorways of the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 for close to retail in the aftermarket, you can’t do that when it comes to the reflective pairs.
For instances like these, this is where it appears as if more and more kids are now using bots to get these hard-to-get releases. Whether you like to admit it or not, Kanye West continues to be a major influencer in the sneaker industry. Sure, he’s lost some support over the past couple of years thanks in large part to his outspoken support of the POTUS, but a big chunk of the younger generation continue to see Kanye as their Yeezus. He can basically do no wrong in their eyes. When your fandom is as strong as Kanye’s, whatever you release essentially sells itself (see Kanye’s overpriced Pablo merch printed on Gildan apparel). Kids using bots to get these exclusive Yeezys may seem like a task that they’re not qualified to do since it seems to involve a lot of “tech savvy stuff”, but using bots to cop the latest limited drops is not as difficult or complicated as it sound. It’s just like riding a bike, once you get the hang of it, you’ll never forget how to do it.
The reasons behind using bots to cop Yeezys
So why are more and more kids using bots to cop Yeezys? It could be for several reasons. For many, these new Yeezys could be the very first pair that they’ve ever owned. Perhaps they were too young to buy pairs from the past and they can now finally afford to cop a pair. Maybe some of these kids are using bots to cop Yeezys to make some extra money on the side.
I mean, who doesn’t like making some extra cash, especially when you are young and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Others maybe use bots (just like this) to get these limited Yeezys to end up using them a trade bait somewhere down the road. Although the overall demand for Yeezys is not as high as it once was, it still has its loyal consumer base that continue to cop. As long as someone is willing to cop, the kids will continue to use the bots.
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
MEN - WHY A NEW PAIR OF DESIGNER SNEAKERS SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT BIG FASHION INVESTMENT!
When it comes to fashion, there are some things where it really pays off to spend a bit more on something that looks really good and which is made with the best quality and design. Shoes are definitely one of these things, as while you can spend less on fast fashion brands for things like jeans and shirts without it being too much of a problem, the wrong shoes can ruin your outfit, and can also be a false economy as they won't last as long while still looking good, and are unlikely to be as well designed and comfortable.
This is why designer sneakers can be a really good addition to your wardrobe. They can give you a great look with minimal effort, and they can also make sure you feel comfortable as well as stylish. Here we look at three more reasons why your next big fashion purchase should be some high-end sneakers:
The Perfect Smart Casual Shoe Solution
These days, a lot of offices and other workplaces opt for a dressed down dress code, especially if you work in an industry like tech or media. Of course, while it kind of sounds like you can wear anything when your workplace has a dress code like this, you do generally still want to make a good impression, as your co-workers are probably the people that you see the most throughout the week and you may also have to meet with people from outside the business such as clients.
Designer sneakers can add smartness and sense of expensive luxury to a casual outfit, and make sure that you look like you have good taste! Choose from one of the designer men's sneaker brands at SSENSE, for instance, from their stunning range of Givenchy sneakers, and you can add some high fashion detail to even your most low key everyday looks. SSENSE has all of the latest ranges by all of the most coveted high-end fashion labels.
Great for Dates
If you're dating, then you may be surprised to know that one of the first things women judge men on is their shoes. This is often done subconsciously before you say that you wouldn't want to date someone who was picky over such an unimportant sounding thing! For casual dinner dates, going to a bar, a concert, the movies, or even just coffee, designer sneakers fit the occasion while giving that good impression you're looking for.
Sporty Style
While you wouldn't actually train in designer sneakers (it is always best to go for athletic shoes made for the sport you do to get the right foot and joint support), they still pair well with more sporty fashion, allowing you to adopt the current athleisure trend for streetwear. Athleisure is comfortable and practical but has a trendy, stylish edge, and is a great way to dress if you want to look effortlessly cool.
There you have it, all the reasons you need to start shopping for a new pair of great looking designer sneakers this fall!
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
SPRING'S KICKS
The Spring is all about keeping it fresh and when it comes to updating your closet, we always have to introduce a few pairs of sneakers into the mix, We sat down with founder, Belieni Stevens of BELIENI. His line is comprised of luxury Italian sneakers that are truly ways to elevate the athleisure style.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your fashion background.
BELIENI: My fashion background started when I made the decision to start a men’s line of footwear.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to create your own line?
BS: I have honestly always wanted to start a men’s line. I was just fed up with the limited options out there for men and young men with larger feet, who wanted something other than basketball or skate shoes to wear. I love luxury sneakers and dress shoes just as much as basketball shoes, but the number of luxury brands that cater to 14 and above are small.
AM: Why are you inspired by Italian Craftsmanship?
BS: Italian craftsmanship and design are second to none, just the heritage alone is enough. Today, companies are using their materials but crafting them in other countries. I am old school in the idea of why fix what isn’t broken.
AM: Fashion has so many categories within it. What is it that speaks to you about footwear and that you felt that you could create something that wasn't there?
BS: Nothing comes close to bringing an outfit together quite like the right pair of shoes. You could have on the nicest, most expensive outfit, but if you have on the wrong shoes, you might as well be naked.
AM: Tell us about Belieni and what celebrities have worn the brand?
BS: Michael Thomas, Jared Cook and Masika that I am aware of.
AM: What celebrities would you like to see wear the brand and what collaborations would you like to see?
BS: Personally all of them..but to name a few Jay-Z, Wale, 2Chains, Kid Cudi, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Will Smith, Mark Wahlberg, Idris Elba. I would love to collaborate with Bentley and Tissot.
AM: Tell us about the assortment and will there be new offerings this Spring?
BS: Yes, we have already released 2 new color-ways this spring. We have our low tops that we will be unveiling later this year as well.
AM: What additional items do you see being included within the Belieni brand?
BS: I am working on backpacks and possible apparel, I am still playing with that idea.
AM: Who is the Belieni girl/guy?
BS: Well… I guess that would be me. I design both the men and women’s lines.
AM: When you're not designing and working on this line, how do you take time for yourself?
BS: When I can find time, I draw and design no surprise, jump on the sticks when I can and ride my motorcycle to the coast.
AM: Where are you based out of and where do you enjoy grabbing a meal, working out and shopping?
BS: BELIENI is based out of Florida. I love Sushi, Sushi Katana is one of my favorite spots. Even with my busy schedule, I try to hit the gym at least 5 days a week.
AM: What is currently on your playlist?
BS: Future, Kid Cudi, Wale, Nipsey, Steve Aoki and Morten.
AM: How important is giving back and what do you do in terms of philanthropy/charity?
BS: It is very important, I volunteer at my local VA (Veteran Affairs) , and donate when I can to Ocean conservation organizations.
PHOTOS COURTESY | BELIENI
Read more from the April Issue and see Spring's Kicks in mag.