LIVERPOOL'S BIGGEST TRAINEE FEST RETURNS

destinedliverpool
Jun 4
3 min read

Destined sat down to interview Rob, better known as the Scouse sneaker head (and the visionary founder of Laces Out) Liverpool’s largest trainer festival. What began as a passion project has grown into a cultural cornerstone for sneaker lovers across the UK. This year, the festival makes a huge return with a theme dedicated to the Adidas Superstar.

We were curious to know more about the festival's origins, traders, and what we can expect!...

lacesout.co.uk

WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATION OF 'LACES OUT' FEST?

"Well I'm just a massive sneaker head, I've been into trainers my whole life, and I think it was just over 10 years ago now that I was based in the baltic. I was working on a magazine at the time as a designer, but my own contributuion into the magazine was a page on trainers, it was called 'sole selection' or something like that. I just suggested it because Liverpool's mad on trainees...I am... so let's do something in the magazine. And it just stemmed from there really!

Back when I first started Laces Out, Camp And Furnance was freshly opened, I used to go there on a Friday after work for a bevvy, and that's where the thought came to me... This place would be perfect for a little festival dedicated to trainers. I got massively inspired by the space.

Coming from a design background, I always wanted to do something bigger with trainers. I knew I wanted to create my own project. I wanted to get myself on the map alongside with these sportswear brands which I love."

@lacesoutfest

WHY LIVERPOOL?

"Ultimately, because I'm a scouser. That's the main reason. But Liverpool is historically, hugely linked to wearing trainers and casual fashion.

It's known historically that footy fans (in England anyway) were the catalyst for people wearing trainers as casual fashion. They used to go to Europe and bring back these pairs which no one had seen before, and I think that's where the obsession here began.

Liverpool is a key city for trainers, it always has been."

@lacesoutfest

WHAT KIND OF TRADERS WILL BE PARTICIPATING THIS YEAR?

"Rougly 70% people who collect trainers and bring them to sell, but there are some fashion brands there too. We always have a few independent fashion brands. Mainly sneakerheads though!"

@lacesoutfest

WHATS DIFFERENT ABOUT LACES OUT?

"Firstly, this year we've got a custom workshop where you'll be given a free pair of shoes, and be given the chance to customise them with an expert, who reworks superstars.

We just try and go the extra mile to try to get the brands to give back to people, when we do an event we normally have a partner, for example, this time round it'll be Adidas. They'll give us free stock to giveaway to anyone who attends. We always have some kind of experience going on, as well as giveaways, and an afterparty with some huge guests, and local artists.

We love to back as many local creatives as we can, because that's what I am, a local creative.

It's not just a marketplace, you can really get involved here."

@lacesoutfest

WHAT CAN FIRST TIME ATTENDEES EXPECT FROM LACES OUT THIS YEAR?

"A big room full of trainers!

Trainers that you generally can't get hold of, the young people who collect the rarest pairs, save them to sell on at this event. There's also loads of vintage trainers, and bargains.

Just expect to see loads of local, independent retailers, and fashion brands."