TAGÜR Sneakers: Embracing Individuality

Article written by: Asmara Wreksono
Posted on: August 25, 2009

According to TAGÜR, the days of submitting to iconic logos and identifiable colors are soon to be over with the advent of idealistic, individual-oriented fashion.  Enter TAGÜR Sneakers, launched in 2006, the alterable sneakers created out of boredom with today’s retro kicks and reissued models.  TAGÜR founder Wesley Williams sees that the sneaker world had hit a plateau after the millenium (which is kind of ironic) and grew unfortunately stagnant.

TAGÜR’s version of how it all began:

The story began the day we were able to grip a marker but the formation of the company started much more recently. We tag our personal property as a way to customize it and stray from universal conformity. We bomb walls and trains to elevate our sense of self. We are surrounded by ordinary items, but we are not ordinary people.

Instead of creating a new recognizable logo and colors, TAGÜR reverted back to artistic expression over limited mass production.  They began to write again on their shoes, and create spontaneously rather than waiting around for something inspiring from the usual corporations.  Their mission is to create a quality shoe that allows the sneakerhead to become the producer.

 TAGÜR intends to break down the conventional design wall and business model as well by involving the community in their growing business.  Their AKA Blank model is available to be adorned by new artwork by original artists.  TAGÜR encourages artists to send pictures of their custom designs to info@tagur.com.  Submitted he artwork will also be exhibited in a TAGÜR event where they’ll be admired and judged by the open market.  Should there be enough interest in the exhibited designs, TAGÜR will invest in that artist to manufacture their design into a retail product.

This mode of business reflects TAGÜR’s commitment to embrace all art whether it is urban contemporary, pop surrealism, lowbrow etc..  There is a plethora of talented artists both self-taught and college trained who simply don’t have a stage to showcase their skills and that’s what the brand is serving -whilst looking for new opportunities.

Today TAGÜR can be found at Finish Line stores nationwide and online, exposing the brand to a wider and newer mainstream audience.   About this collaboration, Williams commented:

“With the global reach and influence of hip hop and how it influences fashion, art, speech, mannerisms, pop culture, etc…, there was an opportunity to tap into a relatively untapped component of it:  art. And with graffiti, it is bigger than hip hop although it’s rooted in it.”

TAGÜR products at FinishLine retailers nationwide and online at Finishline.com.  Below are the TAGÜR shoes featured at Finishline.  Prices range from $79.99 to $109.99.

TAGÜR Men’s Yenk Local Rec

TAGÜR Men’s Yenk Lurk

TAGÜR Men’s Laser in black

TAGÜR Men’s Laser in white