Can Starbury change sneaker culture? Stephon Marbury is not, at first glance, a likely cultural revolutionary. As a basketball player, he’s known as a shoot first, scowl at teammates next point guard who has worn out his welcome with three teams. Last season, he publicly feuded with future Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown. He is, in most respects, the archetype of the overpaid sports-star malcontent. But now Starbury is playing the good guy, taking aim at inner-city sneaker culture by pushing a line of $14.98 sneakers, the Starbury One, which he has promised to wear on court this season. Some doubt this will resonate much. After all, the Starbury One will rely on word of mouth instead of the kind of big-budget TV campaign that a high-priced shoe gets. And the whole idea of status symbols is they’re expensive. Nike, of course, makes a mint off $200 sneakers, backed up by artfully shot ads with superstars like LeBron James, who makes a cool $90 million endorsing the company. Nike has to recoup that money somehow, right? Who knows, though, maybe the Starbury One will become a new Chuck Taylor, powered by word of mouth. In the first week, at least, it’s created long lines at Steve and Barry’s stores. —Posted by Brian Morrissey

August 25, 2006 in Morrissey | Permalink

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» Stephon Marbury's Starbury Collection from ProHipHop - Hip Hop Marketing
I want to follow up on my previous Starbury One post with a few quick notes starting with the press release. Though the focus has been on the shoes, the Starbury Collection includes almost fifty items for men and boys, [Read More]

Tracked on Aug 28, 2006 10:51:24 PM

» Stephon Marbury's Starbury Collection from ProHipHop - Hip Hop Marketing
I want to follow up on my previous Starbury One post with a few quick notes starting with the press release. Though the focus has been on the shoes, the Starbury Collection includes almost fifty items for men and boys, [Read More]

Tracked on Aug 28, 2006 11:00:29 PM

Comments

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Nike haven't been cool for about a decade. Design is OK sometimes but the swoosh kills it. Style aficionados wouldn't be seen dead in them but these Starbury rock with attitude and I'd love a pair please Starbury. cefrith at hotmail dot com if you know your stuff. :)

Posted by: Charles Frith | Aug 26, 2006 10:59:09 AM

i just bought the new starbury's for 15 dollars. i bought me the all white ones and played ball. they ight in looks. the only thing is that we need more sole on the bottom. i was standing in line with them in my hands and jordans on my feet, but the price doesnt matter.

Posted by: Amir | Sep 3, 2006 9:08:57 PM

The introduction of the Starbury One (in direct contrast to NIKE's Air Force One) provides the latest evidence that shoes themselves no matter how much they retail for have become the object of some people's joy and daily shopping.

Any marketing strategy focused on profit (shoe makers know a streetwear-savvy population will pay hundreds for the right shoe) overshadows the point that shoes are about status, identity, and a healthy lifestyle.

WHOmentors.com, Inc. is interested in increasing visibility for "Growing Feet Need New Shoes & Socks," its international charitable shoe gift distribution program.

skihlz.com branded athletic footwear, apparel and accessories introduced by WHOmentors.com, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt 509(a)(2) research corporation, are a remarkable, creative expression; a mode of living that reflects a distinctive attitude, and the fashion of the moment.

The word skihlz(TM)...quite literally, is inscribed on your soul, something you feel in the fabric of who you are.

"Either you have 'em or you don't," says Rauhmel Fox, CEO, WHOmentors.com, Inc. "And, the only way to get skihlz(TM) branded athletic footwear is to become an Appointed Mentor Practitoner(TM) or be a kid with a dream and a focus on the future and get them for free."

Posted by: Rauhmel Fox | Nov 3, 2006 9:06:00 PM

yeah ur kinda right i like tese sneakers and i had them 4 2 weeks and they are great they fit nice and they r looking to last pretty long they r so comfortable and they have a great price who wouldent buy them unless ur dumb and u wana get scammed every time u open ur wallet to a 100 to 500 dollar jordans or nikes its the same material same technology jordans want make u better in basket ball or any other sports so as nikes why did they pay lebron 90mil? because they knew it didnt make u jump higher or run faster and lebron do he is a newbie in the nba he is just trying to get paid and all of that is a fact so stop being dumb f the people around u and do better 4 ur self and thats why most people cant pay they light bill because they gotta get the 250 - 500 dollar shoes to be cool and fit in the gang all these haters r bull shit thats why they haten because they know them sneakers are good and they look good 4 a fair price yull see lots of people weariong them soon ... just wait.

Posted by: derek fox | Mar 29, 2007 11:44:03 PM

hey rauhmel fox shoes suck nothing like the starburys

Posted by: derekfox | Mar 29, 2007 11:50:53 PM

yo derek I have a pair of sk ihlz and I like them alot. did you get a pair? which ones?

Posted by: middleschoolkid | Apr 18, 2007 12:22:51 AM

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