A sneakerhead’s guide to Sneaker Con in Singapore this weekend: Top things to do and what to look out for

This weekend, sneakerheads have something to look forward to a highly-anticipated event that has nothing to do with Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour shows. Sneaker Con Southeast Asia (SEA) is back and it will be held on Saturday and Sunday (Mar 2 and 3) at Resorts World Sentosa. 

Dubbed “The Greatest Sneaker Show On Earth”, it promises to be two fun-filled days that celebrate sneaker and street culture from all around the world.

So how should sneaker enthusiasts make the best of their time there? CNA Lifestyle asked sneaker collector and Sole Superior co-founder Dexter Tan to share his cheat sheet on how to best enjoy the event, from who to keep an eye out for and which booths to check out to the best time to hit the convention.

1. TRY TO CATCH THESE 4 HEADLINERS  

Hiroshi Fujiwara, founder of Fragment Design and Japanese streetwear legend

Affectionately known as the godfather of Harajuku style, this Japanese streetwear designer’s minimalist yet impactful designs have influenced global fashion. “He is the reason why streetwear has exploded in Asia. I’m very looking much forward to being in the same vicinity as him; it’s like meeting your idol in the flesh," said Tan.

Edson Sabajo, co-founder of Dutch streetwear brand Patta

Besides his love for hip-hop and sneakers, Tan shared that Sabajo is also generous in sharing insights of his entrepreneurial journey. “He would be a great speaker to listen to for budding streetwear enthusiasts who are also looking to start their own labels.”

Big Boy Cheng, DJ, Vlogger and prominent sneakerhead in the Philippines

A prominent figure in the Philippines’ sneaker and street culture, Cheng’s passion for sneakers has led him to have a huge and one of the best, if not, the best sneaker collection in the world, said Tan.

Mr Sabotage, founder and creative director of Singapore customer streetwear brand SBTG

An artisan in sneaker customisation, Singapore’s very own Mark Ong will also be showcasing his exclusive Kintsugi Air Jordan 1 Highs. Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi – the traditional process of repairing ceramics using lacquer and gold, these shoes are given a new life using Hermes scarves and vintage bandanas. There are only 22 pairs of these limited-edition sneakers available, each numbered and personalised with the buyer’s initials.

But that’s not all. Ten pairs will come boxed in luxurious trunks bearing SBTG’s bandana prints while the remaining 12 will be housed in Louis Vuitton Speedy bags.

And in support of the local arts scene, RWS and Mr Sabotage will be auctioning off two pairs during the event, with all proceeds going to Temasek Polytechnic, where Ong studied.

2. ZOOM IN ON COLLABS, LIMITED EDITIONS AND EXCLUSIVE DROPS

Thinking to add to your growing sneaker and streetwear collection? With over 200 international and local brands and collaborations, there’s no better time to browse and shop the latest kicks, limited editions and exclusive drops from hot favourites Nike, Adidas, Puma and Fila.

Other noteworthy collabs to check out, according to Tan, include the Sabotage and Def Jam SEA (of Def Jam Recordings, the multinational record label) capsule collection. The collection features old-school hip-hop culture with 1990s boxy fitted single stitched T-shirts, football jerseys and caps. 

One collab to keep an eye on are new football jerseys from popular Thai sneaker shop Carnival and sportswear brand Umbro, which will be exclusive to the event. 

“I foresee these being hot ticket items. In fact, I’ve had Thai sneakerheads reach out to ask if I can help them get these jerseys,” shared Tan. 

And don't forget the heart of Sneaker Con SEA, the Trading Pit, where you can buy, sell or swap your favourite footwear and/or apparel with other enthusiasts. “Even if you don’t own a pair of sneakers, you can come down and buy one,” enthused Tan.

3. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE GROUND, LITERALLY

A case of “shoe contact before eye contact”, Tan recommended paying attention to people’s feet.

“Some people might be wearing some really cool kicks. For instance, at last year’s Sneaker Con, I spotted a local sneakerhead wearing MSCHF’s AC1.”

For the uninitiated, the brand, which is also synonymous with the Astro Boy-inspired big red boots, released the AC1 in 2022, a pair of shoes that literally look like a foot cast for broken feet. But cooler.

So keep your eyes peeled because you just might spot some interesting and unique footwear.

4. HEAD DOWN IN THE AFTERNOON IF YOU WANT TO AVOID THE CROWD

Best time to head down to Sneaker Con SEA? Around 3pm to 4pm, said Tan. Obviously, ardent collectors would most likely be queuing before the doors open, but for the curious, the afternoon would be a smarter option.

“The crowd won’t be as hectic, and hopefully, the queues won’t be as long too. There should be ample space to walk around and check out the different booths as people might have left earlier after securing their collectibles.”

And don’t forget to set aside enough time to enjoy your time at the event. Two hours would suffice, shared Tan, to check out some exclusive releases, chat with brand owners, listen to some talks and even grab a snack to eat.

5. ENJOY THE OTHER NON-SNEAKER ACTIVITIES

Since not everyone attending Sneaker Con SEA is a huge sneaker enthusiast, organisers have lined up fun activities as well.

For starters, Tan suggested shopping for some vintage wear, and for those with boundless energy, consider shredding some obstacles and conquering some ramps and rails at the built-in skatepark – which is a first for Sneaker Con SEA. For those who prefer an experiential time, sign up for the Kibo x Absnc Sneaker Custom workshop where you try your hand at designing a pair of sneakers.

6. SIMPLY HAVE FUN AND MAKE FRIENDS

To make the most of your experience at Sneaker Con SEA, Tan advised going with an open mind, be friendly and speak not only to the various brand owners but fellow attendees as well.

“Complementing people on their shoes is a good first step if you’re apprehensive about approaching people. You’ll never know what new connections you might make with a simple ‘Hey, cool shoes’.”

Catch Sneaker Con SEA will be held on Mar 2 and 3 at Resorts World Sentosa. For more information, visit www.sea.sneakercon.com. Hotel stay and ticket bundles are available at www.rwsentosa.com/sneakercon