The City of Steel is synonymous with a few high-profiled names; just walk down any street and you will see the everlasting effect. Names like Carnegie, Heinz, Warhol and even Rooney have revamped the city, helping it to become a global player on the world stage.
When it comes to fashion, the name Geiger is about to take the world by storm. That is, John Geiger, in fact. If you are a member of the sneakerhead community, Geiger is a star within his own right, rising up from his upbringing in McKees Rocks, collaborating with major brands such as Nike, as well as remaining on of the most talked about people in the footwear business.
The world of fashion and Pittsburgh have always had a tumultuous relationship, often being named one of the worst-dressed cities in the country (acid wash jeans, white sneakers and lets not forget plenty of Steelers gear). But for Geiger as he was growing up in the city, Complex reported that for him, style was all the same, and everyone in town was dressing the same.
Before breaking into the footwear industry, John Geiger was most notably known for being the business manager of Darrelle Revis (most widely known for playing/ retiring from the New York Jets).
Then, like a beacon of light – his calling for footwear came calling with The Shoe Surgeon. For Geiger and his time in association with The Shoe Surgeon, the designs centered around the “Misplaced Checks,” an Air Force 1 with multiple Swooshes made from a multitude of fabrics.
And it didn’t stop there – Geiger added zippers on different parts of the shoe, to also adding varieties of sole units, and his look began to take off amongst his sneakerhead fanatics.
For his namesake line, John Geiger Co., he is in competition with sneakerhead favorites such as Balenciaga and Off-White, but he definitely has the power to overtake the industry. With his shoes running in the $500 price range, Geiger has been covered by the likes of Forbes, to being named one of the 25 most influential people in sneakers by Complex; for Geiger, the only way is up.
You might be asking, what is next for the guy who is reshaping the footwear business? Well, as he currently resides in Miami, be on the lookout for some awesome new sneakers, along with leather goods and smaller accessories, to complete your overall look.
So the next time you are walking down the streets of Pittsburgh, be sure to look up at the street signs – you might just see a “Geiger Way”. Has a nice ring, doesn’t it?
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
