I read an article recently commenting on the rising costs of sneakers...which got me reminiscing about the release of the original Nike Air Jordan basketball shoe. Those red, white, and black high tops immediately produced a shockwave through my Middle School (in 1985). It was a groundbreaking product in so many ways...most spectacularly, it broke through the $100 price point barrier, which was simply unheard of at the time. Almost thirty years later, I still have trouble ponying up $100 for sneakers, so I was absolutely shocked to find out that Nike was selling kicks for more than $300 a pair (this is actually news from 2012).

Some of that astronomical price can probably be justified based on the use of expensive materials, craftsmanship, a lengthy R&D cycle, and high Sales and Marketing costs. Most of it, however, is likely attributed to the 'cravability factor'.

On the flip side, I am always impressed when companies come out with 'cravable' products that are realistically affordable for more of the mainstream. The clearest example in my wardrobe is Converse's All Star. Yes there are seriously expensive versions of the shoe, but it is perfectly doable to spend less than $40 on a pair and still be seen as fashion forward. And you see All Stars everywhere...on men, women, gen-exers, hipsters, millennials...pretty much anyone can pull it off. And it's been "in" for decades. So impressive.

Both sides of the spectrum are fascinating to watch. There are plenty examples of driving exclusivity based on high a price point (Vertu, Louis Vuitton, etc.), although I am always more impressed with companies that are putting out cravable and affordable products to the mass market (H&M, Muji, Frank & Oak, etc.). Ironically, my old employer, Converse, is owned by Nike, who you have to give credit for hitting both sides of this spectrum so effectively for so many years.