To say that a fashionista follows fashion fervently would be an understatement; to inhale and exhale fashion is the purpose of any true fashionista.  Style is the code in which she lives by. She can be spotted in the hottest labels. Keeping abreast of the latest trends, colors and accessories are a necessity.   For a fashionista to sacrifice a meal or two to buy the new Dior bag is not a far stretch of the imagination.  After all, that is what a paycheck is for.  Combing department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, and designer flagship stores to acquire the garments that feed her obsession is merely a form of exercise.   Publications like W, InStlye and Vogue must be absorbed like holy texts.  Events like Fashion Week are like pilgrimages to Mecca.  Fashion isn’t just an industry, it is a religion and a fashionista is a willing apostle.

Generally, the term fashionista is associated with high fashion.  Labels such as Christian Loubatian, Yves Saint Laurent, Zac Posen, BCBG, Herve Leger, Rock & Republic, and Diane von Furstenberg are frequent visitors to a fashionista’s closet.   But can Puma, Nike, Adidas, and Supras sit in the same closet as Prada?  Can a sneakerhead be considered as a fashionista too?

Sneakerheads are generally addicts of a male persuasion, but there are female sneakerheads. A sneakerhead is a person who is obsessed with the quest of owning multiple pairs of footwear.  This passion does not only extend itself to fascination of collecting, but also extends to the religion of fashion.  Sneakerheads are zealots.  Like an archeologist searching the graves of ancient lands in search of priceless relics, the goal of a true sneakerhead is to collect as many rare, vintage and limited edition sneakers as possible.  Sneakerheads accept the charge of a lifetime journey that can be costly; however the ends definitely justify the means.

Just as a fashionista creates a look that encompasses the right outfit, accessories, make-up and shoes; sneakerheads do the same.  For a sneakerhead, the sneaker is the foundation of the outfit and maximizing the hotness of the sneaker with the proper garments is absolutely necessary.   Also a sneakerhead needs to own a pair of sneakers that fits every occasion.  A female sneakerhead must have a pair of sneakers to go with jeans, skirts, slacks, and even evening gowns.  Don’t scoff, Cybill Shepherd once wore hi-tops to the Emmys and D. Woods of Danity Kane has worn hi-tops on the red carpet as well.   So yes Virginia, a sneakerhead can also be considered a fashionista.

She has boxes of Dunks proudly stacked by boxes of Jimmy Choos.  She has an outfit and accessories to go with her custom pair of Pumas as well as having the perfect outfit for taking her new Michael Kors bag out to play.   She is an aficionado on Versace and an authority on kicks.  She is a sneakernista.