Caring and Repairing with Sneaker Pharm* Founder Vinnie Tao

Luxury shoes have long been resoleable and considered an investment piece that,  properly cared for, can last a lifetime. Trainers (or sneakers if you prefer) have been the dominant segment in the footwear sector for a while now and look set to hit almost £70 billion in revenue in 2025. Luxury sneakers are established as a go-to fashion item and the re-sale market pushes lots of models into a luxury price range. So, why aren't we taking care of them like they're major investments? Sneaker Pharm* founder Vinnie Tao launched his business in 2019, offering a cleaning service to restore his customers' prized kicks to their former glory, but over the years his offer has expanded. Now, he repairs, resoles, adapts and creates, bringing a new generation of consumers round to the idea that their trainers can go the distance. In this episode we learn about Vinnie's journey into fashion, how he thinks brands could extend the life of their products and pick up some great tips on how to get our favourite trabs looking mint again. If you don't already, follow Sneaker Pharm* on Instagram here. Did you enjoy the episode? Send us a text. 💬Subscribe now for new episodes every other Monday. Please take the time to rate and/or review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. We cherish every rating and review. They help to ensure this project continues.Join Wear Abouts over on Instagram for bonus video content: instagram.com/wearabouts_podYou can also follow Manchester Fashion Institute on Instagram: instagram.com/mcrfashioninstituteAnd check out our courses here: fashioninstitute.mmu.ac.uk