Registration open for OSDLive's SOLEcial Studies Class

OSD is taking registrations for its summer sneaker course, now entitled "SOLEcial
Studies: Sneakers, Their Impact on Lifestyles, Culture, and People in the 21st Century". For the first time, this course is being offered to anyone around the world, because it will take place online through the educational online platform provider lore.com.

The course costs $300 (USD), which will include all coursework, guest speakers and even some footwear discounts and opportunities to win free kicks. For more information on the course and how to register, go to OSDLive.com. Registration is open until June 20th, and the course runs Monday evenings from July 9th to August 27th.

For more on one woman's experience taking the class online, read Lovely Edward's review here.

OSD, the Class

"OSD: The Class" grad, Lovely Edwards

For those of you not familiar with OSD, it stands for Obsessive Sneaker Disorder. If that sounds like something you might be suffering from, don't miss their weekly live sneaker talk shows (FSF's own Fee is one of the hosts!) or their class series "OSD: The Class." Recent grad Lovely Edwards (above) tells you why:

THE EXPERIENCE

It's been a few weeks since graduation and I'm still surrounded by that smell. You know that whiff you submerge yourself in when you open up that box, lift up that fantabulous construction of materials and colorways, loosen up the laces and stick your whole face in..."aaahhhh" FRESH KICKS. That's exactly how I felt each and every time that I logged into my assigned seat inside the virtual classroom of my institution of choice, OSD's "The Class."

"Greetings Disorderlies," Sean "Paper Chasr" Williams aka “Master Splinter of the Sneaker Culture," would greet each of us in attendance. It was definitely the most amazing, invaluable learning experience I've ever encountered. I registered for "The Class," yearning to connect my passion to an origin of creation, but only for personal satisfaction. I mean, it's a known fact in my part of the world (7 cities, VA) that I have a "thing" for sneakers, so why not take a class? Gain some credibility and open a store. That was my goal, my purpose, my point. Obviously this class was designed for way more because what I obtained was the god of dreams and goals... It was knowledge.

Throughout my lessons and assignments (yes I took a class about the sneaker culture that had lessons and assignments), I began to learn more about the athletic footwear industry as a business, OUR culture and its misconceptions, but what got my laces in a bunch, was what I learned about myself.

In a storybook pattern, my assignments accumulated documentation of dreams and goals I didn't know I had and put them all in obtainable form. My goals transformed into timelines. I went from "I would love to do that" to "I can't believe I'm doing this!" I've been exposed to so much more than sneakers. The lessons taught me how to shop dart and what to look for and more importantly, expect in terms of quality footwear. I was taught how to make my kicks make money for me and I'm not talking about any of that consignment, flipping sneakers sh*t. I mean real live and direct statements from companies explaining how they are aiding in the financial stability of my daughter's future. I was indulged in the creative aspects of the industry, including design, production, and even marketing. I'm confident I could teach your favorite brand's parent company a thing or two. "Yeah I said it!"

It is unbelievable how many innovative and positive things that are going on in our culture. I mean as of right now as you're reading this we have museums coming and globalized schools dedicated to the best design and production imaginable. Even if you listened to every episode of the OSD talk show and became Lori's personal shoelace assistant, you couldn't even BEGIN to conceptualize everything we have coming our way.

Believe me when I tell you, "YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY OR THIS CULTURE." I don't care what's in your collection, who you follow on twitter or how many videos you have on Sneakertube TV, you need to take this class. It's loosened my laces and gave me the freedom to fly... All puns intended.

Don't believe me? Register for the class and test your knowledge. If you're in New York, do yourself a favor and sit in the classroom, you'll be far from disappointed.

That's enough horn-tooting on my end, I have to go figure out how I'm going to partake in everything this class has laid out for me. If you need help with homework follow me @KrazySoleLove, I'll be happy to help with homework!

Until next time FSFs around the world... WALK GOOD!

Back to School: Osd's the class Week 3 + 4

Hey fiends! Since its been a while since I blogged about my OSD class experience. The last post I left off with was the intro and important moments in sneaker history. Well week three we had Ree the creator of S'neads call in. Ree discussed his beginnings, his obstacles and he also gave great advice on how to make in this industry. He combined his love for kicks, hip hop and his artistic skill to create the first and only sneaker comic book. His advice which was "Hard work always beats talent. You have to scream as loud as the talentless dude". That was one of the best advices I've ever heard.

After that inspirational lesson from Ree, week we discussed the finance side of sneakers. I know most of you like to read sneaker blogs including FSF for upcoming sneaker releases and news but its also good to check out sneaker sites( ie Footwear news, sports one source) that are focused on the finance side of the industry. That's where the real info is! Its good to know which brands (especially the ones that you rock) are doing well in the market. Pape brought up buying stock into your favorite footwear brand, which is something I plan on doing. Hey if you like whatever brand you like so much, why not invest in it! We also go the opportunity to look at the different materials of a sneaker. There is a lot of different components of a sneaker and if one the components can't be accomplished, the designer has to re-design the sneaker. Each component of a shoe can cost up to $20-300. And that's before it hits production. So now you see why Nike is hiking up their prices.

That's my rundown for week 3 & 4. Can't wait to hear our lesson this week!

Back to School: I've enrolled in OSD's the class

I've never thought I would say this but yes your girl here has taken her behind back to school. But school is different this go around. You want to know why? Because its run by OSD that's why! The reason why I've decided to join the class is because I still have a lot to learn about sneaker culture and the business. Even though I've been with FSF for 4 going on 5yrs and learned a lot , its always good to know more.

The first class, Sean aka Paper Chasr discussed important moments in sneaker history as well as our sneaker love story. Also Sean had me and my fellow classmate Preston pick(with our eyes closed) a sneaker brand in shoebox that was written on a piece of paper. Whatever we picked from that box was our sneaker brand for the entire semester. I picked an innovative sneaker company that focuses on running by the name of Newton. Which leaded into our first two assignments. We had to research our brand and present them in class and discuss which one of the important moments in sneaker history meant the most to us.


On week 2 of OSD's the class we discussed our assignments and continued on with the topic "Important moments is sneaker history". The Bloodline Fresh crew also stopped by as well as Gerald Flores from Footwear news and they also spoke about their important moments in sneaker history with the class. One of the highlights of week 2 for me was Gerald Flores who is an editorial assistant at Footwear News. Gerald spoke about the background of Footwear News and how it covers all aspects of the footwear business. Unlike like most footwear blogs or footwear media outlets, Footwear News touches on the finance side of the industry as well as the cost of materials and upcoming releases. Gerald also does in-depth interviews with designers and people in corporate. Another highlight for me that night was Sean's lecture on hype and how consumers need more discipline when it comes to buying kicks. He brought up a good point that people can have so much negative things to say about an upcoming rapper or musician but when it comes to a Jordan brand or Nike brand release people will hop all over it because of hype. Which is so true!

Next session we will have Premium Pete from Sneaker Tube tv and Ree of S'neads to talk with the class about their contributions to sneaker culture. Which I'm really excited about! :)