In 2019, Adam King and Sam Hyun founded 1587 Sneakers, a Boston-based startup that aims to serve the Asian American community with high-quality, Italian-made footwear. The company officially launched in June 2023, after several years of preparation and development.
The name “1587” holds significance, referencing the year Asians first arrived in the United States. This choice reflects the company’s mission to empower Asian Americans and celebrate their culture through fashion. The brand’s logo is designed to resemble Asian characters, and their shoes feature meaningful messages on the insoles, such as “Unapologetic for 100 years” and “Leave your shoes at the door.”
Adam King, who serves as CEO, brings extensive experience from the footwear industry to 1587 Sneakers. After graduating from Emory Business School with a major in political science and a minor in economics, King initially worked at a corporate law firm in New York City. Realizing his passion lay elsewhere, he pursued a career in the sneaker industry.
King’s determination led him to create video introductions of himself, which he persistently sent to Reebok CEO Uli Becker’s home address. This unconventional approach eventually caught Becker’s attention, resulting in King’s entry into the sneaker world. Over the course of 15 years, King gained valuable experience working with major brands like Adidas and Reebok, in locations including Boston, Germany, and Vietnam. He also worked at KOIO, an Italian leather sneaker startup, further honing his skills in the industry.
Throughout his career, King observed that the Asian American community was often underserved and overlooked by fashion and footwear brands. This realization became a driving force behind the creation of 1587 Sneakers. The company aims to provide representation and authentic connection to Asian American consumers, who King notes make up a significant portion of sneaker sales despite being a smaller percentage of the overall population.
Sam Hyun, co-founder of 1587 Sneakers, brings a different perspective to the company. Known as a public speaker and social activist with a substantial social media following, Hyun has been a prominent voice advocating for the Asian American population in the Boston area. His background includes serving as the director of federal relations for the City of Boston and Mayor Michelle Wu. Hyun’s contributions to the community were recognized when he was named the Boston Globe’s 2021 Citizen of the Year. Currently, he holds the position of director of government relations for the Asian American Foundation.
1587 Sneakers distinguishes itself through its commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The company sources its materials and production from Italy, known for its fine sneaker artisans and high-quality materials. While this decision increases production costs, it allows 1587 to offer sneakers of unmatched quality that are designed to maintain their appearance and durability over time.
The shoes feature full-grain leather, which is resistant to creasing and warping, and can be easily maintained. The soles are made from natural rubber, chosen for its softness, durability, and ability to retain shape over extended use. These material choices stand in contrast to the synthetic materials often used by larger commercial brands, which may deteriorate more quickly with wear.
As 1587 Sneakers continues to grow, it remains focused on its mission to authentically represent and celebrate Asian American culture through its products and brand identity. The company aims to provide a platform for Asian American stories and style, filling a gap they perceive in the current sneaker market.
