How Eddie Huang Has Become a Big Name in the Sneaker Industry

Eddie Huang has an interesting story to tell. The entrepreneur started out as a kid who was bullied at school who knew he could do better. He earned his degree, became a lawyer and then went on to pursue several other career ambitions. He became a famous chef and has a few of his own television series and he’s a well-known book author to boot. In addition to all this, Eddie Huang is a big name in the sneaker industry. Here’s how he added this to his already impressive repertoire of accomplishments.

His love of sneakers started early

Eddie Huang’s love of sneakers really goes back to when he was just a boy in the third grade. He knew his sneakers and he’s been buying, selling and trading since he was a pre-teen. While he was working on his law degree, he resorted to the familiar trade of flipping kicks to make extra cash. He’s always had a love for design, particularly for streetwear and the entrepreneur’s celebrity personality made him the perfect collaborator for Adidas shoes to single out to bring a new line to life.

Eddie Huang’s inspired by Mario Batali

Huang was quick to point out that he as an affinity for Mario Batali’s orange Crocs. They’re bright and vibrant. Huang shared that his mother also loves orange and as a chef who has a flair for fashion design, they’re in his wheelhouse.

Huang’s work with Nike and other name brands

Previously, Huang worked the Nike sneaker brand to develop the Chairman Bao SB Dunk High in 2014. It as a celebration of his Baohaus restaurant. In addition, he formed a partnership with the Fila brand on the Snow Beach sneaker, also in 2014. We wonder if this was a part of the plan or if such collaborations crossed his mind when he was flipping sneakers to pay for law school, or even further back when he was a kid in grammar school bartering and selling sneakers with his classmates.

A new collaboration with Adidas

At first, the only news that was released about Eddie Huang’s latest sneaker collaboration with Adidas were a few teasers that let us know something was coming. After a tantalization period, it was finally revealed that in fact, Huang was working on a new line of slides and sneakers with Adidas. They set a release date for October 8th of 2016 so fans of the brand and the famous television personality and chef would know when to expect them. Huang’s penchant for streetwear and story-telling would once again be evidenced in the shoe line that celebrated his accomplishments with the rest of the world. Comfort and fashion are the hallmarks of the two-piece collection that Hang and Adidas would be titled Huang’s World. They’re Adidas originals and it’s only fitting that the master chef and sneaker guru have this distinction to his credit in the streetwear industry.

The Adidas Huang’s World collection

The Superstar ’80s feature an upper with waterproof black sued and flame retardant which makes them suitable handling two of the perils that a chef faces in the kitchen. The black steel shell-toe adds foot protection from the occasional heavy pan or cooking pot that can drop at a moment’s notice. A chef will have all of the traction necessary with the non-slip black outsole that guarantees solid footing, and Huang’s own imprinted style is evidenced in the pink stitching on the heel that leaves little doubt of the inspiration for the sneaker.

A peek into the world of Eddie Huang

The new Adidas collection gives us an interesting look into Eddie Huang’s world. It’s every bit as revealing as any book he’s written, a dish that he’s prepared or story that he’s shared. We see elements of his style as a chef revealed in the sneaker with a thoughtful preparation in design and aesthetic that reveals on part of Eddie Huang’s world. The sneakers are high-performance but not for the basketball court. They’re shoes any chef would be happy to wear for a long 8 to 10-hour shift. The Adilettes, as the second characters in the new line, a classy and fun slide that gives us the more relaxed version of Huang, for giving those weary feet a break from the chaos of the kitchen. We discover that Eddie Huang’s world truly is the kitchen and it’s what he’s passionate about. The Eddie Huang x Adidas Huang’s World Superstar 80s retail for $150 with the Adidlettes going for $50.