# Political Sneakers Barack Obama Nike Air Force One By Pearl | Published 2008-09-08 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/obama-sole-sneakers-obama-air-force-one References: [premiumplusmagazine](http://premiumplusmagazine.com/blog/2008/09/obama-force-i/#more-501) & [wkstudio.typepad](http://wkstudio.typepad.com/studio/2008/09/obama-force-one.html) Amongst all the other political merchandising, the Obama Air Force 1 sneakers are certainly unusual. The image of Obama is on the right sole. On the left is another image with the words “ A black Man runs and a nation is behind him.” Jim Lasser engraved the soles of a pair of [Air Force 1 High sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-force-1-low-paisley) for his art exhibition entitles “The Dunk on McCain” at Tyson Space. Prints from the soles will be sold along with the shoes. The artist is an art director and copywriter at Wieden+Kennedy Studio in Portland. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 64% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Political Merchandising:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating unique and unconventional political merchandise that captures the attention of consumers. - **Artistic Sneaker Customization:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Offering personalized and customized designs for sneakers, tapping into consumers' desire for unique and individualized products. - **Social Activism in Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating social and political messages into fashion items to engage consumers and highlight important causes. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion Merchandising:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring new ways to incorporate political themes into clothing and accessories, attracting socially conscious consumers. - **Art Exhibitions:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating immersive and experiential art exhibitions that combine different forms of artistic expression, such as sneaker customization. - **Advertising and Marketing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing innovative marketing campaigns that use political and social messages to connect with consumers and spark conversations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sneaker-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drip.md) - [Food-Themed Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chipotle-x-nike-air-force-1.md) - [Premium Low-Cut Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-force-1-low-paris.md) - [Paisley Patterned Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-force-1-low-paisley.md) - [Sleek Textural Sneaker Colorways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-ostrich.md) - [Faux Dirty Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-force-1-low-dirty-triple-white.md) - [Stark Black Low-Cut Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vanta-black.md) - [Dynamic Textural Collaborative Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-force-1-mid-sneaker.md) - [Butterfly-Motif Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/butterflies-edition.md)