ππ Apple’s Secret Sneaker Affair: When Tech Meets Kicks! π
TL;DR; Back in the day, Apple did more than just tech! They ‘made’ a limited edition pair of sneakers that were never available to the general public. Up for auction now, they might fetch more than a cool Rs 40 lakh! π€ Wanna step into some tech history?
Did you know that your favorite tech giant, the one that possibly made the device you’re reading this on, once dabbled in the world of fashion footwear? Yep, it’s true! But were they any good at it? π€
In the late 1980s, Apple did something out of character. Instead of creating yet another mind-blowing gadget, they decided to put their brand on…wait for it… sneakers! But there’s a twist. These weren’t your average run-of-the-mill kicks available for everyone. No, these were exclusive. So exclusive, in fact, that they never saw the light of public storefronts. π²
Remember when brands did those cool collaborations for employees? These sneakers were precisely that – Apple had them custom-made ONLY for their employees, as a one-off giveaway at a National Sales Conference in the mid-’90s. Talk about corporate perks, huh? π€©
But hang on a sec! Did Apple, the tech maestro, actually make shoes? Not quite! π€¨
Even Apple knows their strengths and weaknesses. While they had the branding, the actual sneaker creation was a tag-team effort with Omega Sports. Apple lent its brand to a few other companies for special edition items back in the day. Honda and Braun were some other big names they collaborated with. Talk about branching out, right? π³
The sneaks themselves? They scream vintage Apple! π Featuring a crisp white upper, and the old school rainbow Apple logo on both the tongue and the side. It’s kinda retro, kinda cool, and super exclusive. Sotheby’s, the auction house handling this rare pair, rightly says these sneakers are “one of the most obscure in existence and highly coveted on the resale market.”
Here’s where it gets wild. Apple memorabilia has had its fair share of cha-ching moments! A first-generation iPhone was recently sold for a whopping Rs 63 lakh. Given that, the starting price for these sneakers is set at a cool $50,000, roughly Rs 42 lakh. But who knows how high bidders might go? π
With tech enthusiasts and sneakerheads possibly battling it out in the auction, here’s a fun tidbit to ponder: How many current Apple employees wish they had these kicks in their closet?
Final Question: If you had the cash, would you shell it out for these Apple sneakers or would you rather save for the next groundbreaking Apple gadget? ππ vs ππ± Let the debate begin! π€π