First unveiled by London’s the Design Museum and coming exclusively to HOTA Gallery from Saturday November 25, Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street explores the history and cultural significance of sneakers. The blockbuster summer exhibition will present more than 400 objects, including more than 200 shoes (our dream), process material, photography, posters, videos and artworks, charting the design and cultural journey of sneakers. You’ll be able to learn about iconic sneaker collabs that shaped generations (we’re looking at you Chuck Taylor and Michael Jordan), and see culturally significant sneakers like the Reebok InstaPump Fury, the Vans Half Cab, and the Asics Gel Lyte III. You’ll then be able to journey through the design process behind today’s most inventive shoes like plant-based sneakers by brands including Veja and Native Shoes, a brand using blockchain certification, and the world’s first biologically active shoes developed by MIT Design Lab and Biorealize for Puma.

Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street curator Ligaya Salazar says the exhibition deep dives into an industry that’s challenged performance design, inspired subcultures and shaken the world of fashion. “Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street reveals the role young people from diverse backgrounds have played in making individual sneakers into style icons and in driving an industry now worth billions. The exhibition also gives behind-the-scenes insight into new upcycling and sustainable design practices, unseen prototypes predicting the future of performance design, and streetwear and fashion collaborations that changed the face of the industry.” Ligaya says.

Keen to dive into the history behind this footwear phenomenon? Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street opens on Saturday November 25 and adult tickets are $23. Tread over to the HOTA website to grab a ticket.